Already_Gone
Well-Known Member
I woke up this morning, forced myself out of bed at 7.15 because I planned to do uni. As I walked down the hall I noticed my larger turtles huddled in the corner of the tank near the filter inlet tube. Appearing unusual I went to check it out and I noticed that Gadget (my Eastern Longneck) had his hind leg caught in the tube. The cover had come away, leaving the tube exposed (approx diameter 15 mm) His eyes were closed and his head an neck were limp and wavering in the current of the water.
Assuming the worst, I retrieved his body from the tank, when my suspicions were almost certainly confirmed, he was dead!!! I took him into show my bf, me wailing like a baby. I cried and cried for about half an hour. I then placed Gadget on the basking shelf in the turtle tank.
As I have never lost a reptile before, I was unsure of my obligations as to notifying Parks and Wildlife. I rang a turtle friend (Expansa1) to find out. We started chatting and whilst on the phone I went in to check the snakes/lizzies. I was playing with Charlotte when I walked back out to look at the tank.
I seriously thought I must have been going bonkers when I saw him move his head neck and dissmissed it straight away. When it happened a second time I panicked!!! I would probably get banned from this group for telling you what I said.
Expansa1 then talked me through what I had to do. He had fluid on his lungs and was having trouble breathing. He told me how to move the fluid from his lungs and give him mouth to mouth resucitation. He also informed me that he would need a diuretic (to remove the fluid) and antibiotics to stop infection.
At the vet surgery I noticed that some of the fluid from his nose/mouth was brownish. Apparently this is to do with the stress his lungs had been under and was no real threat. He is still really lethargic, although he can move and lift his head, he has also walked a small distance on more than one occaision. The next 24 hours will tell his fortune. I currently have him in a tub on the basking ledge on a towel, covered in towels. The heat from the fluros is enough for warmth. I will leave him there over night and see in the morning.
Fingers Crossed and only time will tell!!! The vet said that our biggest risk is infection and he has a 65% chance. If and when he pulls through I will post exactly what we did (ie. turtle first aid). Sorry for the long winded story but I thought it was neccessary!!!
I have to give a thousand thankyous to Expansa1 for his understanding, support and advice today. Cheers Mate!!!!
Assuming the worst, I retrieved his body from the tank, when my suspicions were almost certainly confirmed, he was dead!!! I took him into show my bf, me wailing like a baby. I cried and cried for about half an hour. I then placed Gadget on the basking shelf in the turtle tank.
As I have never lost a reptile before, I was unsure of my obligations as to notifying Parks and Wildlife. I rang a turtle friend (Expansa1) to find out. We started chatting and whilst on the phone I went in to check the snakes/lizzies. I was playing with Charlotte when I walked back out to look at the tank.
I seriously thought I must have been going bonkers when I saw him move his head neck and dissmissed it straight away. When it happened a second time I panicked!!! I would probably get banned from this group for telling you what I said.
Expansa1 then talked me through what I had to do. He had fluid on his lungs and was having trouble breathing. He told me how to move the fluid from his lungs and give him mouth to mouth resucitation. He also informed me that he would need a diuretic (to remove the fluid) and antibiotics to stop infection.
At the vet surgery I noticed that some of the fluid from his nose/mouth was brownish. Apparently this is to do with the stress his lungs had been under and was no real threat. He is still really lethargic, although he can move and lift his head, he has also walked a small distance on more than one occaision. The next 24 hours will tell his fortune. I currently have him in a tub on the basking ledge on a towel, covered in towels. The heat from the fluros is enough for warmth. I will leave him there over night and see in the morning.
Fingers Crossed and only time will tell!!! The vet said that our biggest risk is infection and he has a 65% chance. If and when he pulls through I will post exactly what we did (ie. turtle first aid). Sorry for the long winded story but I thought it was neccessary!!!
I have to give a thousand thankyous to Expansa1 for his understanding, support and advice today. Cheers Mate!!!!
