Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I think i figured out why my RES doesn't want to go into the water as much anymore. He seems to be a little bottom heavy when he goes into the water. He seems like he has a hard time staying afloat. He hasn't been pooing for a long time now. I think he might have swallowed gravel or something. I have sand at the bottom of my tank. I can still get him to eat a little every now and then. What should i do?

honestly... i dont know any other cure to this except taking him to the vet and having the vet look at him and decide his course of action! good luck with this... keep us updated!!
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~ Evie

Pets:
RIP 0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger & Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.2 Snail {Gary & Larry}

i dont realy understand what youre saying. do you have sand or gravel in the tank? eating gravel is normal and doesnt hurt them. but if its something like mud and sand that culd glob together inside, maybe that would cause a prob. all turtles eat gravel tho and its fine. if your turtle isnt eating its not because of gravel. if it isnt swimming, its not because of gravel. but the turtle might be sick with a respiratory infectiuon or something. res that just sit on land all the time are sick. and res are huge pigs who eat everything,s o if it isn't eating it is sick. does it stick its neck out far and struggle to breathe, like with its mouth open? does it make noisy breathing?

hmmmm... i have NEVER actually seen anyone say that turtles 'normally' eat rocks. i have actually heard people talk against putting rocks and such in their tanks because if the turtles would eat the rocks, they can get lodged in their intestines (and other inner parts)... was i misinformed???
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~ Evie

Pets:
RIP 0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger & Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.2 Snail {Gary & Larry}

I have sand at the bottom. He isn't opening his mouth to breath. He never goes into the water until its time to sleep. he won't eat regularly and he hasn't pooped for a really really long time. I have an appointment with the vet tomorrow.

The vet checked him out and found nothing wrong with him. He said it's like a seasonal thing or something and that reptiles can go months without having to eat. They took an x-ray and there was nothing stuck inside. He said the turtle looked healthy to him and to just give it more time. Since the visit, my turtle has been swimming a lot more and didn't hesitate to eat today.

sometimes the turtle may not eat because the water is too cold... they go into 'hibernation' or what seems like hibernation where they dont eat for awhile! this may have been what has happened to your turtle. he will eventually come out of it, just give it time and keep offering the food... he will eventually get hungry and eat it!
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~ Evie

Pets:
RIP 0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger & Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.2 Snail {Gary & Larry}