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I have a hatchling red-eared slider with a respiratory infection. It has refused food for about five days. I isolated him from the other turtles and increased the temperature of the basking spot from the upper eighties (F) to the mid-nineties. Is there anything I can do? I have Russ Gurley's book (Keeping and Breeding Aquatic Turtles) and have read the list of anti-biotics for this, but I think I can only get them at the vet and I don't know of a good vet in the area. Plus, it seems injecting antibiotics into the little hatchling could hurt him. What should I do? I've got him in a large aquarium with a filter, UV lighting, etc. I also put one of those chalky sulfide blocks in the water, but he's still got a respiratory infection. He's swimming funny and his nose bubbles. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

If you didn't take him to a vet how do you know that he has a respiratory infection? There are many conditions that have the same symptoms as a respiratory infection.

You really do need to get him to a vet for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Turtles can die from a respiratory infection. What is worse experiencing the pain of several injections(if that is what the vet prescribes as the course of treatment) so that the turtle can feel better or having your turtle possibly die a slow and lingering death from a respiratory infection?

He may also have something else completely different that is wrong with him. Unfortunately, only a vet can help you.

Good luck

Steve

Since he's a baby, TAKE HIM TO A VET IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!

Respiratory Infections can kill a turtle. My vet told me this trick to determine if a turtle is sick. Don't use it as a serious indicator though. Turn the little guy over and look at the bottom of the shell. If it looks pink, it's the blood gathering near his digestive tract to try to defend from the virus. However, some turtles have shells that are naturally pinkish. You're vet (if you find one) will probably give you shots to inject. Check out the website of a herp society, they'll probably have listings of vets that can treat turtles. good luck!

The above responses confirmed your decision to take it to a vet, but didn't help you much with finding one.

1) www.arav.com has a great list of vets; look under members
1 1/2) arav.com links to herpvetconnection- a client referal list
2) ask you local vet who they recommend
3) ask a zoo who they recommend
4) ask other keepers, and herp societies who they recommend.

Good luck

Ian

Yea. Another idea is to find out if there's a herp society in your area. Then try to find their website. Most of them have a list of recommended vets that treat reptiles in that area along with addresses and phone numbers and stuff.