Ill Terrapin? Help

[sazzapie]

Hey

Just wondered if anyone could help me. I have a baby map terrapin about 2inch in size and he (i think) has just started struggling with a floating bum. Is this an illness or due to something I have fed him or something in the tank? Does any1 recognise this problem? Even when he is swimming his back end floats to the top and it looks uncomfortable! Any help would be welcome.

Thanks

Sarah

 

[loraxchick]

Hey

Just wondered if anyone could help me. I have a baby map terrapin about 2inch in size and he (i think) has just started struggling with a floating bum. Is this an illness or due to something I have fed him or something in the tank? Does any1 recognise this problem? Even when he is swimming his back end floats to the top and it looks uncomfortable! Any help would be welcome.

Thanks

Sarah

welcome to the forum.
ive kept turtles for years. when they are very small (hatchling stage) they are not dense enough to really lounge at the bottom (and sort of float around and *struggle* to get to the bottom if the water is deep). given time, good food and proper housing (with a uva.uvb light and basking area with a heat lamp) the little guys should put on some weight and you will see his difficulty diminish. they grow VERY fast when young if fed properly so in a month or two you should see this behavior diminish.
are there any other signs of illness?- are his eyes clear ( ex. no yellow discharge and they should be open and bright). does he gape a lot (meaning opening his mouth really wide from time to time? any discharge from his nose? any abnormalities with his shell(weird dark spots or shedding?)
just some other things to look at.
consequently what is his set-up like?
most likely nothing to worry about, just want to make sure its not from illness or vitamin deficiency.
all the best!
cheers

 

[sazzapie]

Hey

Just wondered if anyone could help me. I have a baby map terrapin about 2inch in size and he (i think) has just started struggling with a floating bum. Is this an illness or due to something I have fed him or something in the tank? Does any1 recognise this problem? Even when he is swimming his back end floats to the top and it looks uncomfortable! Any help would be welcome.

Thanks

Sarah

welcome to the forum.
ive kept turtles for years. when they are very small (hatchling stage) they are not dense enough to really lounge at the bottom (and sort of float around and *struggle* to get to the bottom if the water is deep). given time, good food and proper housing (with a uva.uvb light and basking area with a heat lamp) the little guys should put on some weight and you will see his difficulty diminish. they grow VERY fast when young if fed properly so in a month or two you should see this behavior diminish.
are there any other signs of illness?- are his eyes clear ( ex. no yellow discharge and they should be open and bright). does he gape a lot (meaning opening his mouth really wide from time to time? any discharge from his nose? any abnormalities with his shell(weird dark spots or shedding?)
just some other things to look at.
consequently what is his set-up like?
most likely nothing to worry about, just want to make sure its not from illness or vitamin deficiency.
all the best!
cheers

Thanx
All the things you have listed are fine, he is bright eyed and generally healthy looking otherwise. The set up fits all or the requirements for swimming space and basking area and I have kept the tank and filter clean. Thankyou for your advice, I will keep an eye on him an give it time
Thanx again

Sarah