Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I think my 1 year old painted ate too many guppies yesterday. He's only about 2 inches long but had several, maybe 7 or 8 3/4~1 inch long fish that he just kept catching and swallowing. Anyways, he's just basking rite now and I noticed this trickle of blood near his anus. I hope he's eagerly basking so he can digest the food quickly. Has anyone experienced this with their turtles before? And what can I do to ease this?
Thanks.

Johnny

No I've never experienced this but any time I see blood to me that says see a vet now.
Is there any swelling around the cloaca?
Have you ever had this turtle tested for parasites?
Some parasites can cause bleeding from the cloaca so if you can get a stool sample for testing, that'd be a good idea.
-----
PHRatz

No, this is the first time I've seen it happen and after he gorged himself on so many fish--that's why I think an impaction or indigestion has occurred. If he doesn't pass his stools, I will take him to the vet.

If he does pass any stools grab up a sample & take it in for parasite testing. Most vets I've known will run that test for you without seeing the animal so it generally doesn't cost very much money. Under 20 dollars where I live.
They don't bother seeing the animal unless they find a positive on the test.
I test mine at least once a year, more if they spend any long periods of time outdoors.
Good luck with him & really not meaning to use a pun, I hope everything comes out ok.
-----
PHRatz

unfortunately, he just passed away. I had a feeling something bad was going to happen so I rushed home, just in time to see him swimming very weirdly, so I took him out and placed him in a tiny layer of warm water to see if he'd pass it out. I even ran to the drugstore to get some Milk of Magnesia (a laxative) because I read a tiny amount can help the turtle pass its stools. I was too late.

I feel very bummed out right now. This little guy i raised from an hatchling. He even had 2 ear abscesses that got removed, and slowly healed. He was a survivor and I just can't believe one night of fish gorging did this to him. Perhaps his impaction caused internal bleeding. Perhaps the fish that he ate weren't clean. I don't know. I just hope the other tankmates that had some of the fish as well won't go through the same thing.

=(

wow, i can't believe I posted asking about this same turtle about a year ago when he was just a hatchling (swimming problems). He survived that. Then I asked about his ear abscesses. He survived that 2 of those as well. Just when you think everything is fine, something bad like this happens overnight. I feel very guilty for allowing him to catch so many guppies at one feeing.

I must say he had the typical symptoms of impaction. Back legs paralyzed, gasping for air, basking, and not swimming very well. I'm convinced the fish spines or something lacerated his intestines and caused internal bleeding. All the other turtles ate guppies as well but not as many and they're fine...so far.

I'm so sorry.
It's never easy to lose a pet, I am really sorry for your loss.
-----
PHRatz

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Sorry to hear he is gone! I know how you feel. A few weeks ago I lost my painted. She too had been ill and then seemed to recover. I thought she had made it, then suddenly she died!
-----
0.1.0 snapping turtle
0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.3.0 chickens
3.2.0 children
1.0.0 husband