Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I obtained some ornate box turtles and they have a few conditions im trying to treat while im waiting to see the vet. first of all i belive they are dehydrated because of the swollen eyes and they are closed not to mention i think its beause they were not being kept in the right conditions or being fed properly, i think they were only being fed greens and vegis with no worms or anything like that. not to mention its probably a vit A defiency, which im hoping the vet can fix.

but i guess the main question is do these guys hibernate? because i cannot get them to eat, i have been soaking them daily and that has been helping, i tried to feed them when they open their mouth but they didnt seem to even want it put in their mouth let alone eat it.

any advice would be great...and just one note i do have an appointment with a vet, but it isnt until next week and just so you dont think i let these guys get in the condition they are in, i just obtained them about a week ago.

Thanks, Shari

Shari,

Have you noticed any kind of discharge or bubbles coming from their nose?
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Kelly Wood

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DO NOT hibernate them this year if they are sick. It is out of the question. While you are waiting to see the vet, keep them very warm, about 85. Soak them every day to help with their eyes and dehydration. Try to offer live food, like earthworms. I have been in your situation before, and I have had good results. If they do have respiratory infections your vet will be able to help with some antibiotics. Just remember keep them warm and well hydrated. Good luck!

I had a similar problem with my slider as a result of avitaminosis A (or hypo-) which stems from improper diet. He had symptoms similar to what you described. At this point, what ever the problem may be, it is important to KEEP THEM WARM and stress-free.

Thanks so much for everyones advice. so let me get this straight, if i keep them warm it will keep them from trying to hibernate or is that just because they are sick? i will keep trying to offer them food, any suggestions if they wont eat, when they open their mouth just quickly put food in ??

Thanks, ill keep tryin until i get him to the vet...what do they ususally give them for having a respatory infection?

Thanks so much for everyones advice. so let me get this straight, if i keep them warm it will keep them from trying to hibernate or is that just because they are sick? i will keep trying to offer them food, any suggestions if they wont eat, when they open their mouth just quickly put food in ??

Thanks, ill keep tryin until i get him to the vet...what do they ususally give them for having a respatory infection?

If you keep them warm, it will keep them from hibernating. AND keeping them warm will make them feel better. Acctually, if they do have a resp. infection the heat will help cure them of it. They will also need antibiotics though. Your vet will probably give them Baytril, by injection. You will have to inject them yourself for a few day afterwards. As for food, I would just try and offer them food every day. After you soak them in warm water, and give them a chance to open their eyes, then offer them food.

No, but since i havent had them long if they do have a res problem, its probably way past those signs...but what do i know..lol ill keep my eyes open..

>not to mention its probably a vit A defiency, which im hoping the vet can fix.

Please, NO! A vitamin A deficiency, if existing, can be solved by proper feeding.

If a vitamin A injection is given, your turtles may well be far worse off than they are now.

The injection can cause horrific skin sloughing. Please allow NO vet to do this! A vet that suggests vitamin A injection may be well meaning, but is unfamiliar with turtles and tortoises!

Foods rich in vitamin A include sweet potato, carrot, and supplements with beta-carotene.
Of course, ALWAYS maintain proper hydration too.

>>Please, NO! A vitamin A deficiency, if existing, can be solved by proper feeding.
>>
>>If a vitamin A injection is given, your turtles may well be far worse off than they are now.
>>
>>The injection can cause horrific skin sloughing. Please allow NO vet to do this! A vet that suggests vitamin A injection may be well meaning, but is unfamiliar with turtles and tortoises!
>>
>>Foods rich in vitamin A include sweet potato, carrot, and supplements with beta-carotene.
>>Of course, ALWAYS maintain proper hydration too.

You can't rehabilitate the turtle on foods if it won't eat! I tried with my slider. The vet I went to was very much familiar with turtles and needless to say the vitamin A injection saved my turtle's life!

If you are worried about an inexperienced vet, search around and find one that specializes with exotic animals. I would not avoid medical attention!

As for heating, keeping your turtle warm is important to fighting sickness, which should be your main concern at this point. Your turtles should however always have a basking area present if you wish to avoid sickness in the future.

Do some research and see what is appropriate for your turtle.

>You can't rehabilitate the turtle on foods if it won't eat!

Force feeding with a stomach tube by an experienced hand is MUCH safer than a potentially fatal vitamin A injection. A dietary response is safer than the injection.

>...The vet I went to was very much familiar with turtles and needless to say the vitamin A injection saved my turtle's life!

Your slider and you were very fortunate exceptions to the rule.

well i can say i am not an expert and i would rather trust a vet then me doing something i dont know about...specially stomach feeding... i would asume this takes a very experienced person to do...anyhow...needless to say, that since i have been watching this turtles every move and soaking it daily, along with keeping it warm, he has been eating some...

i will be taking him to the vet next week as planned on his appointment...

i thank everyone for the suggestions, it is very helpful, since i am not an expert.

thanks, shari

>>well i can say i am not an expert and i would rather trust a vet then me doing something i dont know about...specially stomach feeding... i would asume this takes a very experienced person to do...anyhow...needless to say, that since i have been watching this turtles every move and soaking it daily, along with keeping it warm, he has been eating some...
>>
>>i will be taking him to the vet next week as planned on his appointment...
>>
>>i thank everyone for the suggestions, it is very helpful, since i am not an expert.
>>
>>thanks, shari
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"Sweetheart don't make me laugh you's gettin' too big for your pants and I's think maybe you should cut out while you can" - Complicity (Slash/Rose)

I have 2 female and 1 male ornate and they have successfully reproduced this year but getting here wasn't easy. It is my opinion that ornates do not make the transition from one home to another easily - add to that if first home is not a good one - then you are probably in for a real challenge. I ended up hand feeding one of my female turtles with tweezers for 18 months before I could get her to eat on her own. I had good success tweezer feeding her small bites of raw liver, meal worms, peas, banana - basically try to get anything down her. Mine have been healthy and easy to care for since they got well, but all three needed help and hand feeding at one time or another. Mary Beth

hi there. hopefully by now you have seen your vet or better yet, the turtle has opened it's eyes & is eating. i recently rehabbed one crossing the road in similar condition. he would not eat for 2 weeks until his eyes opened. soaking & gently rubbing the eyes & keeping him warm worked & saved me a vet trip this time. if he had been underweight or lost too much i would have taken him in. once he started eating, i fed a lot of earthworms & other foods high in nutrition & vitamin A. i also put vitamin a drops in his food perodically. he is doing fine now, very active & eating well. i could release him to hibernate, but it is too much into the season. so i will hang on to him 'till spring, then "bye-bye".
if i can be of any help, send me an e-mail.

Tina