I found a little painted turtle, about the size of a quarter 2 days ago. It was a very warm day, I showed it to my 2 daughters and couldn't keep him still in my hands, he was just going so fast I set him down at the edge of a pond in our back yard, in a barely "mushy" part which was almost dry. I did this thinking this would be a good spot for him since I didn't plan on keeping him.



Today I was taking my dog outside when I noticed what I am assuming is the exact same little turtle--looks the same, same size, etc. except this time he/she was just sitting in the grass with eye closed tight and I though for a moment it was dead. I picked it up and saw it was breathing but very laboriously.



I am wondering a few things, first, could this little guy have been born recently like this week? I did not notice a "tooth"--I had a painted when I was a child and remember it having a tooth on it to get out of it's shell.



The weather here in Michigan is usually chillier but this week it has been high 70s and one day in the 80s. Another thing I am wondering, last night it dropped below freezing, around 25 degrees. He was lying in the sun when I found him again today, but could the cold temp have caused him problems?



I brought him in and put him in warm water, on a rock and set him in the sun since it is cool out today. He opened his eyes and moves his head a little bit when my girls or I come near if his eyes are opened, he still keeps them mostly closed.



A little while ago, I put him in a shallow dish with a little warm water in it and tried to give him the ReptoMin sticks. I broke them up and everything but he isn't eating. He seems weak; he only moved in the water in circles and when he had to lift up his head from the water to breath (the water only comes half way up his shell) his head would still bob with every breath taken. Now he's on his rock again because I put him there and hasn't moved since. I got a small little set up for him, 10 gallon aquarium, basking lamp and I have the temp. regulated right between 85-90 degrees. His little head is still bobbing when he breathes and he doesn't seem like he wants to use his back legs a whole lot (I noticed this when he moved around in the water). His back legs also move when he breathes, like it's taking everything he's got, I don't know.



If this is the same little guy I saw 2 days ago and because of the time of year it is (it is early for them to hatch now, isn't it?), I would think it is the same one, he was very healthy acting just 2 days ago.



The last few things I am wondering is what do I do for him now? What could I give him to coax him to eat? And if I need to take him to a vet, I cannot find any listed that specialize in reptiles. If anyone out there could give me some helpful info, I sure would appreciate it. It breaks my heart thinking something may be wrong and I want to help but I don't know what to do. Thank you for those who can give me a little info. I really appreciate it!

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