Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 1 1/2 year old box has been eating fine up until 3 weeks before X-mas. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the change in temperature and am trying to maintain the right temp and conditions in the environment.

I am planning to go to a rep vet and think that he may suggest a Vitamin B shot to help (Since this is what he did for another one of my boxes years ago when he had the same issue).

Any thoughts on if this is not a good idea?

What are the conditions in the turtles habitat? You mentioned trying to maintain the correct temps., but didn't say what they were. Just curious to know what the actual temperature is.
In order to successfully trick your turtle into thinking its summer, you need to try to duplicate those conditions: very warm and humid.
Three weeks of no eating wouldn't send me to the vet, but maybe rather to a blender to puree up something nutritious to try feeding it through a plastic eyedropper.
Aside from appetite loss, are there any other changes in behavior, breathing, activity levels, etc.?
Please let us know some more specifics. Injections aren't always the solution, and if this has occured in the past, it may indeed be a husbandry issue that can be corrected.
Stephanie

The Conditions in the habitat, I have a infra red lamp, a pad heating element and a uv light on one side of the tank. The other side of the tank is cooler. It stays very humid. I think it may not be warm enough so I may try to put some type of top on the tank. I plan to get a temp guage to start tracking.

As far as the eyedropper approach, what would be the best way to open the turtles mouth.

No other significant changes. She is very active and looks healthy.

Try using something like a popsicle stick: no sharp edges. Or next time your at the market, go to the baby food section and look for a coated spoon.
It seems that loss of appetite this time of year occurs when temperatures are not maintained at 75 degrees (and thats the cool end) to 85 degrees, and when the light is inadequate.
I'm not going to comment on the use of infrared, because everyone uses different methods, and mine are all outside hibernating now.
Do you not have any sort of daylight' or 'sun' bulb? I don't think UV alone is adequate.
When I had to keep my guys in last year, they had full-spectrum fluorescent lights & a UV light on for 14 hrs a day, and a ceramic heat bulb on 23 hrs a day, acces to clean water at all times, things to climb on, etc.
I had had to keep one in because he was underweight, and I had to help him eat through the winter: the objective was to prevent further weight loss, so we didn't feed him every day. Once he had something in his mouth, he swallowed on his own.
Get a reading on those temperatures for us.
Stephanie

Steph, I am getting a couple more therm's today to measure more accuratly.

Quick question, I have a UVB bulb in an overhead tank light. THere is a thin layer of glass between the bulb and the tank. Is that preventing the UVB from getting to the turtle?

I don't know the answer to that. Glass does diminish the amount of light, but what end of the spectrum and exactly how much I don't know.
The subject came up recently on this forum (albeit about Saran wrap), and the responder posted a link that may be helpful to you.
Stephanie

Are you sure it's not Vitamin A that your vet gave last time? My box went off eating and was losing weight. Apparently, not eating can cause Vitamin A deficiency - and in turn, Vitamin A deficeincy can cause Anorexia (for lack of a better word). So it becomes a vicious cycle. I recommend trying the other suggestions first as well. It was expesive for Vitamin A treatments. (A dropper of fluid into her mouth - NOT injections.) They had to be given at the Vet's office each time (a series of 3, I think) due to the Vitamin A potentially being destroyed by certain types of light.

Hope that helps - also be sure you have a vet with specialization/experience with turtles - in my experience it has made a world of difference!

Good luck!
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Jenny

1.0 Ball Python "Zeke"
0.1 Box Turtle "Ferdie"

Thanks for the feedback. It was vitamin B that the vet gave her. He is specialized in reptiles.

Good news is that she is eating again and I am very happy about that. I think my issue was that her temperature was too cold.

Thanks again for the advise.

Kevin