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Musk Turtle Problem

amymlc Dec 28, 2003 06:53 PM

Hi, I have three musk turtles: two commons and a razorback. I've had the two older turtles for about five years now. They are just fine.

The turtle I have a problem with is about a year old now. I feed him reptomin pellets once a day along with lettuce and the little shrimp pellets. He has not grown at all. He is still the exact same size he was a year ago. I soak his pellets in vitamins from my vet before I feed it to him, but that hasn't helped either. I also feed him cuttlebone, but he won't eat it like my other two will. I've gone to two vets and both said they don't know what's wrong with him and that he is too small to do any kind of treatment on him. I was keeping him in a fifty gallon tank with my other musk turtles. He was fine with them for almost a year, but last month one of the turtles must have bitten part of his shell off. A chunk of shell by his tail is completely gone and I can see a little bit of his flesh. The flesh was a little red, but isn't anymore. I've since taken him out and put him in his own set up. I've been keeping turtles for a long time and have read a lot of books and websites, so I'm not really a beginner. My turtles are well cared for, but I just don't know what to do for this little guy. I've tried keeping and treating his wounds but his shell isn't getting any better and he isn't growing at all. What should I do? What should I do? I've taken him to two vets with no luck. Thanks for reading my post.

Amy

Replies (3)

meretseger Dec 29, 2003 12:17 AM

If it were me, I'd seperate him if I could. Maybe the other two turtles are stressing him out or something.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

bloomindaedalus Dec 29, 2003 11:36 PM

yeah seperate him . And try to include more insects, whole fish and plants into the diet.

Katrina Dec 30, 2003 09:17 AM

As someone suggested, try more whole foods. Earthworms are a good staple. Offere just a small piece at first to see if he'll go for it. Have you tried one of the new mercury vapor UVB bulbs for him?

Katrina

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