Not again!!
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Hi everyone, You may remember that I had a very small terrapin with a soft shell that never ate anything and eventually died. We since got another one and this one seemed really healthy, slightly bigger, and has been eating like a …terrapin! He gets on really well with my larger female and they have been just fine but about 3 days ago the little one stopped eating and although he still has lots of energy I have noticed that when he is floating in the water he is listing slightly to one side. He still spends a lot of time basking on his rock but jumps into the water when anyone approaches as always. I can’t see any signs of shell damage or anything else that could be wrong with him. Any ideas? By the way has there been any more news on the twins progress? Janine
Hello janine. if your terrapin has stopped eating and is listing in the water it most likely has a respiratory infection which is curable but you have to get on the right regimen quickly. In addition it will usually take a long time to cure it. I would take it to a veterinarian who specializes in Reptiles quickly. He will probably advise a regimen of dry-docking along with a series of baytril injections. Above all you must keep it warm with a water temperature of no less than 82 and a basking site of 90 degrees. I would start dry-docking at night and hydrate and feed in the mornings. Then dry-dock during the day and rehydrate for an hour or two prior to the evening dry-dock. Along with the dry-dock regimen, I would start antibiotic therapy…either the baytril or amikacin. At least a series of five injections…each injection given every 48 hours with the proper dosage according to the terrapins weight. If you keep it warm and elevate its metabolic function, hopefully it will start eating again. I would make its diet high in protein such as fish, Krill along with perhaps some Tetra JumboMin. If it doesn’t resume eating…your chances of recovery are diminished. You must be patient… this will be a long hard fight, however if you can get it to start eating again your chances are very good you can cure it. Good Luck! regards, rcftx
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