haydog_99
Active Member
Yvonne, I just swithced to a humid enclosed enclosure and the humidity at night is running around 84% and I am challenged to keep the heat up around 80 with my current heating element, the enclosure is just too big. I am bought a 100 watt red bulb and it got the temp up to 80 without a problem but I noticed directly under the bulb it was getting around 105 F so I took it out last night. The enclosure was running between 78.5 and 80 the last two nights and I am paranoid about a respiratory infection. This morning when I took him out for his bath I noticed a random ticking noise, it may be normal because I never listened to him before. I had my ear right up next to him when I heard it. He has no discharge from the nostril's, eyes are fine and is eating. Should I get some of the Terramycin and soak him just in case? If I catch an infection early enough will this take care of it without a vet visit? Thanks in advance.I'm sure the biggest part of the problem with the turtle is the light. Get rid of it. While your turtle is ill you need to keep the whole habitat at least 80F degrees. I doubt you'll be able to keep it that warm with the whole front open like that. I think you need to cover the mesh with plastic or something else to keep the warm air inside. Soak the turtle daily. If you know of a feed store in your town you can buy a little foil package of Terramycin water soluble powder:
Put a quarter teaspoon per quart of warm water and leave the turtle soaking in it for at least a half hour (you'll need to use something he can't climb out of.