Help for a sick DBT
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As I am typing this I have decided to take my sick DBT to the vet tomorrow but want to ask if anyone knows what is going on with the little guy anyway.Last month I saw this really nice Northern DBT at a pet shop with pretty bad shell rot with puss coming out of two large holes (!) and some brown patches on its skin. The shopkeeper said the owner had brought it back when he didn’t know what to do with it. It was pretty clear to me the little guy had been badly kept likely with dirty water and no basking. I decided to take it home and try to nurse it back to health.I already have a tank with two healthy DBT’s and having come away from extensive online research that the condition is likely not contagious I put the new guy in the tank but raised the temperature and the salinity to 1.018 as advised in Jonathan’s Diamondback Terrapin World site. I also followed the suggested treatments for shell rot such as cleaning, antiseptic, dry dock and a week of sulfur wash. Now the shell is doing much better with clear signs of healing and no more puss! The skin is clearing up. He is now refusing the go into the water. He is in the basking area (UVB bulb) all day and night, which forced me to put on a night heat lamp. If he falls into the water he will immediately climb back up as if chased by sharks. I feed them in a separate tank and for this guy I can only fill his feeding tank with two inches of water else he will try to climb out. With only a little water he will eat contently but not as much as a healthy turtle.Anyway I am taking him to the vet tomorrow but if anyone here knows what is happening to this little guy I am anxious to know. Thanks.
Help for a sick DBT The other DBT___s could possibly be picking on him.
Sounds to me like this guy is recovering. DBT’s with skin issues do like to bask or yes he is stressed and afraid of the other DBT’s like mentioned. If he is eating though even if not as much as you would like him to it really sounds like he is coming around. I would not have placed him with your other DBT’s regardless of his health. I feel like any newbie should be seperated. I’m not saying you should not take him to a vet but you are making progress not sure if you need to yet. If you feel he is basking too much you can remove the doc and perhaps watch and see if he is getting picked on. As long as he is not dehydrating and he basks with feet up and neck outstretched he may just be working on his skin issues. When they are lethargic looking while basking I do begin to worry. Several of mine sleep on their docks.Lisa
No he is not getting picked on. In fact he was pretty aggressive towards his smaller tank mates early on but has since stopped. His carapace is nearly 3 inches and most of it is discolored but recovering. When he basks his limbs and head are outstretched. I am glad this is good news. I can relax now. Thanks.
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