Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone... I have two yellow bellied sliders that are almost 3yrs old now. They've been healthy since they were little babies... however.. one, whoes name is Slider, swims just a little lopsided. He has done this for a long time. This morning when I woke up, he was swimming extremely lopsided. He is not weazing, foaming, or showing any other simptoms of an unhealthy turtle. I am "dry docking" him for a couple hours to see if it helps. The temperature stays in the 75-80 degree range. The water is clean and gets a full change regularly. He is very responsive... he goes crazy when he sees and hears the food. I fed him a little so he is still eating. Does anyone have any suggestions what this may be or what I should do (before going to the vet)? I have been thinking an upper respirtory infection.. but I am starting to think it may be something else because there are no other signs and he has been a little lopsided for a very long time.

Thanks

This is a sign of a resperatory infection, so you need to take him to a vet to get checked out and get the little fell a some antibiotics if neccissary. Better safe than sorry, KWIM?

yeah, I know what you mean. I am holding off a little because he still seems pretty healthy. He eats normal and is very active and aware. He is in a separate container that is dry and warm, I am going to leave him out for a little while longer then feed him and get him back in the water. Hopefully he'll be ok, but if not, I guess it's a trip to the vet

The same thing happened to one of my turtles and I chose to hold off because I didn't want to spend the money, and I totally regret it now because my turtle is dead.The vet said when I called that if it is showing extreme symptoms like a foaming mouth, not eating, and not going in the water and basking all the time or moving around a lot then it was probobly too late anyways. Now I am really careful with my turtle and don't take chances. If it were me then I would just take the turtle in and get the antibiotics.
Good luck!

I have seen many animals through the rescues I work with that have had very severe respiratory infection. ALL recovered from them with the proper treatment.

I really don't think your vet should give you the impression that if the symptoms you described are present it is "probably too late". Believe me I have delt with animals that look like they are already dead and have had them bounce back from these adverse conditions.

They are incredibly resilient animals.

Steve

Thanks, everyone... it's been a couple weeks and both Slider and Zucci are doing really well!

lets keep our fingures crossed... but today I took slider out of his separate water tank and put him back with Zucci... he is slightly lopsided, but it's how he has always been and much better than yesterday. I think he'll be ok!

thanks everyone