Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After all you input, I decided I am taking the sick turtles to Wildlife Rehab center.They have a breeding program that releases young boxies into the wild after a few years. The place is 44 acres and backs to state land. All exotic plants and anilmals are removed as soon as they are found on the property. This is the best thing for my turtles. I have ones that seem healthy and will keep them as I have had most of my turtles for years. I have one turtle with white in it's eye and am taking it to the vet. After "speaking" to you all and the lady at the rehab center, I have learned the error of my ways. Thanks for teaching me a valuable lesson.

Glad to hear it: you are doing the right thing.
Its better that you wait until you are on firmer financial footing before you take on more any more responsibility: you can see now just how quickly things can get out of hand and become completely unmanageable.
You and your remaining pets will be much better off if you refrain from acquiring any more, and you will be much better equipped to handle emergencies should they arise.
Stephanie

It's the next best thing. I'm sure they have a vet waiting in the wings. I was going to ask you to mail your sick ones to me. But I'm glad you found a place for them. Just have to keep a close eye on the rest of your group. If nothing happens in regards to any other boxie getting sick in the next 3 -4 weeks, you should be ok. BUT it depends on how many boxies you have & how many were exposed to your sick ones. That is why overcrowding is a big No-No. The more you have, the harder it is to control. I hope you understand where I was coming from in regards to introducing new boxies to a colony. Illnesses can go both ways. The new ones can be sick & expose your healthy colony or your colony that may be sick can expose your new healthy ones.
I'm very sure you're not the only one that just puts any new addition into an established group. I think +95% of all turtle keepers do that. Even the people on this board do that. Most everyone assumes the new turtle is healthy. I sure don't.I'm a firm believer in that.
I do wonder where the 10 turtles you wanted to buy are going to. I did not want them but would have had the room if worse came to worse. But regardless, I hope you do well with what you have. If everything is good for your boxies, You can always expect them to eventually reproduce. That's why it is unneccessay to buy them in large numbers.

I will say "well done" to you. especially at 25, it is not many who have the wisdom to look into their own prevailing logic and feelings, and reconsider actions. you have moved leaps toward establishing credibility.

I know at that age I would have been difficult. in my teens and early 20's I was still using some wildlife for target practice. eventhough I was interested in reptiles and keeping some, it was not really out of concern for them. they were "cool" and that's as far as I got with my feelings on it. I used to shot the copperheads I found in the pastures, because I thought they were a threat to the cattle....and the cottonmouths and RES I found in the lake, because I thought they made for bad fishing!I used to go catch greybanded kingsnakes and others in west Texas to sell for profit. I wish I had somebody to tell me a little about the wisdom of leaving them be back then. but I came around on my own a little later, and, I hope I make up for some of the senseless things I did when I was a kid and had not the wise judgement, even though, I had the implements. you are on your way to being ahead of the game.

Mick
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"When tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign foe."

James Madison

Sometimes our actions that seem to weigh on us deeply;
are for that which we care about all too personally.

We carry them out with regret, but while it hurts us; it helps those affected. We carry them out for the well being of those that are most valued by us...

And for that, we grow intrinsically.

Unquestionably.....YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.......

Ric