I need aquatic turtle experts

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...6/5/0/turt.jpg

So the mods can move this if needed, I am just struggling
It doesn't happen often here at the CTRRescue.
But things happen

So turtles lay a large clutch of eggs for a reason. Some just naturally don't make it. It happens, and it is what I've dealt with.

So this "lil foot" (Chrysemys picta) is living life and breathing, eating (hardly seen) swimming etc.
But the poor thing cannot swim underwater. If you submerge her she will float back up. Her tail is straight up when in the water, but normal otherwise.
She is seriously so tiny that a shot could kill her (baytrill for a RI) But we (the vet and us) cannot confirm a RI......

So our plan is to let her do what she is doing......

Does anyone breed aquatic turtles of any type where this has been an issue???

Sometimes it is better to let nature take it's course. The only reason I am struggling is that there was human intervention before we received her...

So again, I need help from any folks who may breed aquatic turtles of any type that have dealt with this issue.

Sincerely
Rusty

I moved this to the Chelonia forum so that you may get quicker responses. Hopefully someone who has dealt with this will respond shortly. Good luck, and that is one seriously cute turtle.

Thanks Walt, I just need anyone who may breed aquatic turts...
I've noticed it's not to common
Just looking for the best advice.
Thanks again
Rusty

It's been a long time since I bred and owned aquatic turtles and personally, I never encountered this issue.

That being said, I knew someone who ran a large scale turtle rescue. She mentioned dehydrated turtles being unable to submerge themselves. I can't remember the treatment she suggested (other than re-hydration). There was something about adding electrolytes to the water, but I would seriously consider consulting a veterinarian.

I hope this helps in some small way, and I wish I could do more to help. Good luck!

Rusty I found these links for you. I don't know if they will be of help but maybe they will lead to someone with direct experience who can help you with this issue.

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medinjuries.htm

http://www.turtletimes.com/forums/in...howtopic=12917 (this one seems particularily well informed)

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the info. As of now "Lil foot" has seen our vet(the 1st day) who is very good with herps (she deals with all of our rescue animals).
She is hydrated now and has a well formed shell. It's hard to say, you all see how small she is....Her mouth looks good, shell and appendages are all well formed and normal.
She could have neuro issues, or just be a runt.
She has been eating some duckweed, and reptamin. She cannot reach her guppies as 1) they are probably too big even as babies, and 2) she cannot swim under the water.
She is swimming and living. We will let her live as she doesn't seem to be in any pain. I think between our vet and ourselves, plus some experts I've reached out to we just have to let nature take it's course.
As of now she seems "happy" and living well.
I'd be happy to update on her progress. Thank you all once again
Rusty

What kind of UVB is she under? I got a few baby turtles in from a person a while back that were never under any UVB and could not go under as well. They also had a little bit of softshell going on, maybe this could be the case?

Right now she is under a zoomed repti sun 5.0. Her dock is only 4 or so inches away to ensure she gets proper uv. I doubt she had any uv by her previose Owner, caretaker. Maybe time will tell.
Thanks
Rusty

Try this site
www.turtleforum.com

They have some great info and breeders there. I was doing some research there a while back when I was considering aquatic turtles and found a wealth of info.

I don't know if this is late, or if it helps but it's an Eastern Painted. Everyone gave really solid advice and links. Don't forget to supplement his pellet food with greens, like Romaine Lettuce, Collard Greens, and Cale. Once it gets settled and gets the proper husbandry, it should be okay. My baby Western Painted wasn't the best swimmer when we got him, but now he's swimming like a pro :)

Thanks again everyone. She is still doing just the same, but living happily. She has a full array of food products and has been more active. I think it is still a time will tell. I hope she does well, I would be thrilled if she perked up sooner then later so she has a better chance at release dates.
Thanks again everyone
Rusty
PS I'll try and post some more pictures of her, and maybe even fit in a pic of her now "pet" guppies..lol

I think it's perfectly normal for a hatchling that small. I've heard of small hatchlings having trouble diving plenty of times. Give it some time and it'll eventually learn how to dive, I mean it's still really young so you can think of it as a baby taking it's first steps.

One of my hobbies is catching turtles, it's a family activity to catch turtles at my grandparents' lake house in michigan, take pictures etc and release them.

From doing this for years and years, I have noticed some very young turtles in the wild that just seemed very buoyant.. either couldn't or wouldn't dive, or would dive under and pop back up as soon as they stopped swimming.

I hadn't ever thought about it before now, but perhaps young turtles just are less dense than older turtles? Some so much that they just always float?

Anyhoo I think you're doing the right thing letting her just continue to live, I'm going to predict that in 6-12 months she'll be swimming just fine :D Good luck, that turtle's lucky to have someone who cares.

Hi all,
I know this is a late response....
But over the last few weeks she has been eating duck weed....(plus reptomin & other veggies)
But just a few days ago she was three inches under the surface....
You guys would've loved it, all the block neighbors love lil foot, so everyone crowded around to watch her swim (poor thing is gonna have a complex..lol)
We are excited.. Possible release this year (that would be great). She needs a three course vet check and sadly it may be too late in the season....but hopefully we can release her this season.. Fingers crossed:)
Thanks all
I will try to post pics if my camera decides to work (lol)
Sincerely
Rusty
PS and thank you all for your words of wisdom, they are always completely appreciated