Last hope for my baby RES! Help!

[530blackoak]

I have been an owner of RES turtles only as a kid, and never had problems like this story... The beginning of July I bought 2 baby RES turtles from a girl in our small town. One of them was always sleeping, I had to bug him and pick him up and kinda of wake him to get him to eat. The other baby has thrived, gotten bigger etc... as a few weeks went by I noticed that the smaller one was starting to have trouble grabbing just one piece of food at a time, he was out of breath. He would give up on eating and swim back to the basking rock to breathe through his mouth (which I know they don't breathe through their mouth). He started blowing bubbles from his nose, gasping, not eating, sleeping excessively, complete signs of a RI. I separated him into his own tank. Oh and his hands and feet are extremely swollen?? Weird. His eyes are now swollen. I am keeping the water warmer than normal, about 85, there are no drafts. The heat lamp is good, I am just feeling like I am watching this poor little guy die. We have no herp Vet near us at all. Our large animal vets barely show up at their offices now as it is. I did read about a medication called enrofloxacin it would be given in 20% dosage and orally, this is the same as BYTRIL. althought, it can be bought OTC; well online. So, any ideas? I have tried to feed him also, and he will not eat at all. So so worried.

 

[Yvonne G]

Baytril is the common name for enrofloxacin. I think you will find that when you go to put the Baytril in your shopping cart, it will tell you that you need a prescription to buy this product.

Also, I would not try to figure out the dosage by myself. You need a vet to give you the correct amount.

I'm sorry about your baby turtle. I wish I had some words of wisdom for you, but other than finding a vet who know turtles, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[530blackoak]

Thanks for the info, I hate just sitting here and not being able to do anything for the little guy As for the Baytril, I don't think I am going to get it. From what I have read about RI and seeing how terrible he is...I just don't know...

 

[wellington]

So sorry about your little one. Maybe try some carrot baby food soaks. It works for tortoises that has swollen eyes and that is not eating. I don't know what else to tell you either, except I am so sorry. Hope something turns around for you and the little guy.

 

[WillTort2]

Perhaps a separate tank for the smaller turtle.

 

[530blackoak]

Oh yes he is definitely in a separate tank, the second I saw he was having trouble breathing I figured he had a respiratory infection and I know that they are very contagious. Thanks for the nice thoughts.

 

[530blackoak]

Getting use to how the forum works so I am sorry if my other quick reply is floating around some where.
Yes my little sick guy is definitely in a separate tank, the second I noticed him having trouble breathing I figured that it had to be a respiratory infection and I know that they are highly contagious.
Thanks so much for the kind words. And advice.