Hi dirtslinger,

I recommend taking him/her to the vet as it sounds like pneumonia and may need a shot of antibiotics. They can also give vitamin A shot if I remember right. You may have to call around to find a vet who can treat a turtle. Good luck.

Lisa

@Lisa,

You are either loaded, or kidding. I called around to a few vets in the area as I was slow at work. The minimum "bench charge" to see a "specialty pet" is $35 if you aready use the vet for another pet or $50 if you are a new patient.

Then, the diagnoses fee is going to cost you about $25-30, on top of the medication.

This is a wild turtle. That was in a pond. If it dies, it dies. I wouldn't spend a nickel to save it. Try to nurse it at home as the OP is doing, but other than that....let nature take its course.

lol groundbeefs comment sounds like something that Dwight from the office would say! Try to find a local animal reserve that specilizes in wild animal care. There are a few, far and wide. You may have to drive a while, but it could save a life for free.

Thanks everyone. I'm in the boonies, so no reptile vet or wildlife rescue for 3 hour drive or more....

Unless anyone has any other bright ideas I'll continue on with what I'm doing. It has gotten at least somewhat better anyway!

You don't necessarily need to find a species specific veterinarian. If you have a veterinarian for your own pets, give a call and explain the situation. MANY vets will treat wildlife as a ~good sam~ and dispense medications free or lower cost.

A bench fee??? The turtle is a living being not something that is a quick fix with a spark plug change.

What kind of turtle is he? Box turtle? Slider?

Are the eye lids swollen? Puffy? Is there a yellowish or greenish discharge from the eyes?

The most important thing is to bump up the heat for the turtle. The way their immune system responds is directly linked to how warm their body becomes. If you can, get him into an area where he's at least 78-80 ° F. His own immune system needs to kick in and maybe he'll be able to fight off his ills.

Be VERY cautious about giving too much Vit. A. It can easily cause liver failure if too much is administered no matter the species.

There are eye drops as a general cure-all available in pet shops. Perhaps you could give that a try. Add some Pedialyte (electrolyte formula) to the turtle's drinking water. About 50/50 will be enough. That will help the digestive system and immune system too. It may stimulate the appetite as well.

C3D

Well, I guess bench fee is a little generic. At the vet it's called "initial consultation" or "new patient fee" or the always popular "paperwork/records fee".

Either way you slice it, it's a charge. And the vets I spoke with (phone staff) didn't all see turtles. They are classified as "specialty" animals and NOT every vet will look at them.

Shocking as it may be, there are vets that don't specialize in reptiles. Heck, some don't even see small mammals (hamster, guinea pigs).

Either way, as previously stated, I wouldn't spend a wooden nickel to save a wild turtle. I like them and all, but don't have a spare $85.

Dirtslinger, here's a link with some information about turtle care. It sure sounds like pneumonia and I think the only thing a Vet would do is give the turtle antibiotics. The warming method in the linked page sounds like it's worth a try. Best of luck.

GB, I think we are responsible for all life in our ponds. I would agree with letting nature take its course to some degree if the creature entered the pond on its own. If we introduced the turtle, fish, or whatever, to the pond then we are responsible for that life.

Here is a link that might be useful: Turtle Care