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Guys I'm so beyond mad right now - Our turtles


CantWait wrote: They were fine up until we went on vacation and now they're not, we cleaned out the tank before we left portioned out food for the turtles on what they would eat while we were gone (my son actually portioned out 16 days worth so that it was there for him when we got back) and left a note for the girl on what to do, only 1 portion per day. We felt ok to leave them in charge because mom use to work with and have reptiles, fish etc...

There should have been NO need to clean the turtles while we were away, they have a filter and pump in their tank and we were only gone 7 days, it can be close to two weeks before we have to clean the tank usually. Half way through vacation my friend who's daughter is "taking care" of the turtles said she had to clean out the tank cause it was filthy, I questioned this because at this point we were only gone for maybe 3 or 4 days. When we got home ALL 16 days of the food was gone, and the tank was disgusting beyond belief, and I swear we thought they were dead.

I immediately took them out of their tank, cleaned it, and I admit we didn't feed them for like two days. The last couple days they seemed to be doing better, but today, our biggest one was on his back in the tank, (odd) and now hours later he's very lathargic, won't move, tries to "snap" at you for lack of a better word when you pick him up, his whole head is droopy.

I don't know what to do. I'm so beyond peaved right now.

She says that one of the turtles wasn't eating much when we were gone (what a coincidenec and no doubt all their food was gone), she says that some of the food dropped on the floor (way to cover your butt). How is it they are fine when we leave, and when we get back they're not????

CantWait replied: Oh and all of this.

growl.gif mad.gif bawling.gif sad.gif mad.gif growl.gif dry.gif sad.gif bawling.gif sad.gif sleep.gif growl.gif growl.gif

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my2monkeyboys replied: I'm sorry... I don't know what to say that may be helpful. I've found most turtles to be pretty tough... at least the ones I have seem to be.
Have you checked to make sure their water temp is warm enough? I don't know what the weather is like where you are right now, but here we are already needing our water heaters on. I know that can make them not eat/act lethargic.

my2monkeyboys replied: Oh, and make sure there isn't any chlorine in the tank water, too.

CantWait replied: We have a UV lamp in their tank so it shouldn't be to cold, also we put cleaner in the water to stabilize it.

MommyToAshley replied: hug.gif hug.gif

Sorry, I don't know anything about turtles, but I hope they start doing better. I wonder if you can just call the vet or pet store for advice.. not sure if they will do that without wanting to see the turtle.

cameragirl21 replied: Oh Marie, I'm so sorry, I'd be so peeved too. sad.gif hug.gif
I've had turtles for years and have never seen them get like that, do you have a reptile store nearby you could call? If you like, I can call our local reptile store here and ask them what they think is up and what can be done and let you know?
Our reptile store here could solve just about anything, I think, just let me know. hug.gif

Kirstenmumof3 replied: hug.gif hug.gif I'm so sorry to hear this!!! I hope your turtles will be okay!

CantWait replied:
LOL I'd be more than greatful if you did that Jennifer cause as you know language here is a bit of a barrier lol.

I did go on a reptile forum and it was suggested I was feeding them too much even before the incident (although they were happy and fine before that), and that for now I should put them in a box with some towels and keep them warm. (oh ya the little guy is being lazy now too sad.gif ) The big guy is still hanging in there though. sleep.gif

cameragirl21 replied: ok, I'll call, one sec....

cameragirl21 replied: ok, Marie, I just spoke to the guy at the reptile store...he says it sounds like your turtle is septic from being in such dirty water and having to drink such dirty water. He said that when they're that far gone, all you can really do is take him to the vet. sad.gif sleep.gif He said to make sure his water is super clean and warm enough and to try to feed him because if he eats, that's good.
Here's the thing though--when I had turtles, there was one time I got so busy with other things that I let the water get really dirty to where it smelled (gross, I know) and my turtles were fine so I am not sure that that is really the problem...ask the girl what she cleaned the tank with...if she used bleach or soap and didn't wash it out well enough...that could cause big problems.
I'm guessing taking him to the vet is not an option. So really the best thing is to keep him in super clean water, maybe make it too shallow for swimming so he can just relax and try to get his bearings. The guy said to make sure there is enough heat and to try to feed him and see if he eats.
I will say some prayers for your turtles. sad.gif hug.gif
And here is something I found on the net for you, maybe that will help?
http://happyturtle.ms11.net/vet.html

CantWait replied: Thanks Jennifer, I'm done asking her questions though, she says she's an expert with reptiles and fish, etc...but offered no suggestions on what I should do, only to buy us new turtles dry.gif I know when I got home the tank was beyond gross, no way the food fell on the floor, more like in the tank. She did mention it smelled really bad when she cleaned it while we were gone, 3 days after we left and 4 days after we cleaned it out before we left.

They are not eating, I don't know what more to do. Time to check on them again.

CantWait replied: bawling.gif bawling.gif I just went to check on them, and they're both gone. I'm beyond upset right now, super angry growl.gif at our neighbours for their poor care ( I even paid their daughter), and so emotionally sad before I feel like a death magnet, stupid I know. sad.gif

coasterqueen replied: hug.gif Sorry, Marie. I don't know anything about turtles, but that's just horrible sad.gif

Sounds like when we went on our cruise, I paid my sister almost $200 to stay at our house and watch one our dogs (other went to breeder) and our two cats. All she had to do is take the dog for a walk two times a day, feed the animals, and love them. She refused to clean the cat boxes, so I had my mom come and do that. Well, we got home and the house smelled terrible. I went searching for the various stenches and found that Gavin had peed several places in the house which means my sister was NOT watching him when she was home with him. He had done it in the girls wing of the house, which means he was unattended. I was so peeved!!!!

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MommyToAshley replied: hug.gif hug.gif hug.gif

My3LilMonkeys replied: hug.gif hug.gif hug.gif

cameragirl21 replied: So sorry, Marie. sad.gif bawling.gif hug.gif hug.gif hug.gif

luvmykids replied: Oh Marie, that's AWFUL! I'm sorry hug.gif hug.gif

youngmomofone replied: I'm so sorry hug.gif

A&A'smommy replied: hug.gif hug.gif I'm SO sorry that sucks SO bad!!!!! sad.gif


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