Hello. My baby is swimming lopsided. I just got her last evening and put her in a 20 gallon long tank. I thought maybe she needed to get acclimated to swimming in a tank since she was in a little plastic enclosure but she is still lopsided. I am having difficulty locating a reptile vet and the vet that I go to can't see him/her till next Tuesday. Any suggestions?
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Swimming Lopsided
DMBfan
May 20, 2009 11:22 AM
Replies (4)
colorfulcritters
May 21, 2009 02:48 AM
It's probably the fact she's not eating enough. Once she starts to eat, she'll get heavier, swim better.
On the other hand, it could be a sign of respiratory disease, something common in new hatchlings. Keep the water about 2" deep, for now, make sure it has high enough water temps; inlude a basking spot/light, and try to feed it cooked chicken, beef, raw fish and more solid foods, even worms.
It you see it gasping, wheezing, bubbling at the nose and all floating for the next two weeks, then take it to the vet.
I, however, am not an expert. I've cure such symptoms with some hatchlings I'd had, however, and that usually through dry-docking them for hours at a time and providing a heat lamp in the process.
DMBfan
May 21, 2009 11:38 AM
How do I keep the water at 2 inches and keep the water heater in there?
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"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals"
--Immanual Kant
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1 Dog (Tyson)
1 RES (Sigmund)
1 Hamster (Lenore)
Linda G
May 21, 2009 03:32 PM
Keep her water shallow. 2-3 inches. Don't worry about
the water heater. You really don't need it if the room is
kept around 70 degrees. With shallow water, your
basking light will warm it during the day and allow
a cool down naturally at night much like being in the wild.
I have never used heaters on my turtles, even hatchlings.
Baby turtles can drown if not given easy access to
basking areas when in deep water. The baby should almost be
able to touch the bottom and have his head above water.
Hope this helps. Here is one of my turtles raised from a
hatchling. She is 9 years old now.
Linda
DMBfan
May 21, 2009 07:09 PM
Thanks for the info. Your turtle is pretty. I have one about 9 years old as well, she was also raised from a hatchling, but its been so long I've forgotten it all because my 9 year old is so healthy!
-----
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals"
--Immanual Kant
------------------------------
1 Dog (Tyson)
1 RES (Sigmund)
1 Hamster (Lenore)
