Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

sue87 · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: PJ , Kuala Lumpur

I bought a small tortoise yesterday. He was really active when i got him. He wasn't so active this morning and near the evening, he's not moving at all. His eyes are closed and he didn't even move or open his eyes when i placed him in a pail of water. The shop keeper asked me to place the tortoise in some water for a short while every day. That's what i did. But i removed it from the water as soon as it wasn't moving when he touched the water. Is he dead or is he just sleeping? He can't be hibernating since Malaysia is a warm country all year round.

P.S: I don't know what breed the tortoise is. It's small, around 2 cm in
length, green in colour with a yellow underbelly (brownish black
spots on the underbelly) and it has orange stripes/spots on it's head.

unfazedgamer · Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

First of all, these tortoises are seriously mistreated at the shops which they are sold.

I have personally seen overpopulated tanks with dead tortoises floating inside.

So the condition it is in now might already be pre-existant before you bought him back.

When you put him in the water,

1)Was it dechlorinated?
2)Was it normal anti-chlorine or did it include anti-chloramines as that may exist in our tap water as well.

Probably the best thing you can do for him now is, put him in a semi-dry condition. (Can be achieved with a small pail and rocks...) and then put a warm light on top of him... Not too close though...

If he doesn't pick up in a few days, it's probably his bad health coupled with the shock of the new environment that done him in.

By the way, when they are dead. They don't go inside their shell anymore, they just hang limp outside of their shell.

sue87 · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: PJ , Kuala Lumpur

Well i think the tortoise is dead. His eyes are sunken into his head. Both
the eyes. I went to the shop and exchanged for a new one. The anti-chlorine i'm using is "Aquadine". Is there any special care i need to give to the new tortoise ? I don't want it to end up dying again. And the turtle pellet that i feed to the tortoise, does it need to be soaked beforehand ? How can i help the tortoise to get use to his surroundings ?

cY · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Malaysia

Yours are Red-Eared Terrapins. I've been through the experience of losing them. It's really upset. :cry:

Red-eared terrapins are very active fellas and a very good swimmer. You should put it in a large tank (actually not the biggest ones because he is still young, but he'll grow!) to allow a large space for him to swim. No need too much water, just a bit over the shell will do. They also need very clean water too. I suggest you use filter to keep the water clean. It's okay if you do not have filter, just make sure you change the water everyday (That's what I'm doing now :)). Stack some stones to provide them a completely dry spot for basking. You can either put your tank outdoor or inside the house where your terrapins can basking. If outdoor, allow a shaded spot for your terrapin if it's too hot under the sun.

p/s: Keeping tap water for 48 hours will automatically de-chlorinate the water

sue87 · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: PJ , Kuala Lumpur

Thank you for your advice. I also notice that the tortoise shell is a little soft. Is it normal ? Or is it a nutrient defficiency ? If it is then what do i need to feed it with ?

Ali Anwar · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 16 Location: singapore

Well, I not too sure how soft is your slider shell. Normally terresterial chelonians tend to get calcium deficiency than the aquatic. But due to metabolic disease involving both calcium and also kidneys. This animal could get calcium deficiencies. Other signs that the animal having calcium deficiencies is puffy eyes.

However as I mentioned earlier, calcium deficiencies is more of terrestial chelonian issue than the aquatic. For aquatic chelonians, the more common metabolic disease will be the Vitamin A deficiencies. This tail tale sign of vitamin A deficiencies is whitish layer could be observed at the eyes and also respiratory problems. This deficiencies could be avoided by giving food contain high in vitamin A such kangkong and carrot.

sue87 · Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Posts: 4 Location: PJ , Kuala Lumpur

Well, my tortoise's eyes are kinda puffy. And today, i notice that he has whittish spots on his limbs and a few white spots on his head as well. Do I need to take him to a vet? And can anyone recommend a good vet with reasonable price around Petaling Jaya? Preferrably around section 17, 14 or SS2.

unfazedgamer · Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

Since you swapped for a new tortoise from the shop, it is most likely that the tortoise you have now has what that killed the other tortoise lol.

But you can try to do your best for now..
I am willing to help if you like.

PM me your email or whatever, or post images of the enclosure you have now. I would like to take a look.

As for the soft shell, try to get a heat lamp for the tortoise if it is indoors so it can effectively absorb calcium. A heat lamp can also be replaced with 1-2 hours of sunlight everyday, but make sure it is semi-shade. (Half in the sun, half in the shade) or else you might get tortoise soup.

As for the white spots, normally it would be a bacterial or fungal infection. From experience of treating my tortoises ( now they're huge ), you can try keeping them semi-dry, don't let them fully submerge. Being dry helps the healing process faster. Also, make sure your water is clean and drop a few drops of iodine in the water to help with the infection. ( Drop a bit only, not enough to change the water's colour )

My tortoise had serious shell rot on his lower shell and he had to be quarantined. After weeks from cleaning with iodine and antiseptic cream, and keeping him dry, he eventually healed and is now healthy.

And I do not recommend Aquadine since it does not do a good job of removing chlorine properly. Plus it does not remove chloramines.. Try Nutrafin, ask your local pet shop, they should stock them.
They remove both chlorine and chloramine, coats your pet in protective natural slime, and lessens their stress. Great product.