Need help formulating a diet for a picky, possibly ill turtle

LoachSpine

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Mar 17, 2018
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The Balkans
My RES is >10 years old, not sure how much exactly. I've had her since she was a baby, and although I didn't know how to properly care for her for a long time, I'm now trying my best to learn as much as I can about them.

A few months ago she became very lethargic and barely ate. She also went up on her basking spot extremely often, and would stay there even when the lights were off. Vets didn't know what was up.

This went on for a couple of months, and then about a week ago she suddenly perked up and started eating again. I suspect something in the winter may have triggered her instinct to brumate, which caused the lethargy.

She was on a diet of pellets and gammarus most of her life, with insects and worms when I could get them. Recently I started adding things like boiled carrot, cooked chicken, etc. After she perked up, she won't eat pellets at all anymore.
I was concerned about her not liking lettuce since I heard that it needs to be a staple in their diet. But now I read that it isn't a good food?? I'm extremely confused. Could I get any help as to what to feed my turtle?
 

Markw84

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All my turtle thrive on s diet that is entirely a mix of koi pellets and Mazuri aquatic turtles diet. From what you are describing I would bet your turtle was being effected by a reduced photoperiod and reduced UV. Where are you located? The angle of the sun makes a dramatic difference in the activity level and feeding of temperate climate turtles. I live in California near Sacramento. Just this past two weeks my turtles dramatically changed their activity levels as the sun has now passed 50° above the horizon. Even though we had a warmer spell 3-4 weeks ago - they remained very inactive and not interested in food until this last week. Even in our homes the light through windows dramatically changes the light inside. Do you have a reptile UVB bulb? How old and what type?
 

LoachSpine

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I live on the Balkan Peninsula. And yes, that's what I suspected too.

Though this never happened until now, which is why I was concerned. I remember we had a few longer power outages in the beginning of winter, I guess that could be what set her off. I have an ExoTerra Repti Glo bulb, about 5 months old now.

Sadly I'm not sure if pellets are an option. Firstly because she won't eat them anymore - at all. She completely ignores them now.
There's very few options on the market here too, and I'm not sure of their nutrition. Dajana, JBL, and Sera are the only ones available.
That's why I looked to introduce her to a more varied diet.

I would gladly order her good pellets regularly if I was sure she would eat them. Do they send samples?

I would like to know what a good composition for her diet without pellets would be either way. You never know when something weird can happen that results in not being able to order. Not to mention I don't even know if she will like them.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm
http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html
https://kamekroten.wordpress.com/20...at-to-eat-and-what-not-to-eat/comment-page-2/

^Are any of these good sources?
 

Moozillion

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I live on the Balkan Peninsula. And yes, that's what I suspected too.

Though this never happened until now, which is why I was concerned. I remember we had a few longer power outages in the beginning of winter, I guess that could be what set her off. I have an ExoTerra Repti Glo bulb, about 5 months old now.

Sadly I'm not sure if pellets are an option. Firstly because she won't eat them anymore - at all. She completely ignores them now.
There's very few options on the market here too, and I'm not sure of their nutrition. Dajana, JBL, and Sera are the only ones available.
That's why I looked to introduce her to a more varied diet.

I would gladly order her good pellets regularly if I was sure she would eat them. Do they send samples?

I would like to know what a good composition for her diet without pellets would be either way. You never know when something weird can happen that results in not being able to order. Not to mention I don't even know if she will like them.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-red_ear_slider.htm
http://www.redearslider.com/index_nutrition.html
https://kamekroten.wordpress.com/20...at-to-eat-and-what-not-to-eat/comment-page-2/

^Are any of these good sources?

The first one you have listed, Austin’s Turtle Page, is well respected and considered a good source of info.
I’m not familiar with the other 2.
 

LoachSpine

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Mar 17, 2018
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Location (City and/or State)
The Balkans
I've tried again with the old pellets, she got a few but not as ravenous as she used to be with them.

Turns out she likes mango! It's only a treat of course, but I still find the fact interesting.

I'm looking into the composition of the brands available here, Sera seems to be relatively good but it's hard to find good data from trusted sources.
 
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