Redear slider turtle has a thick slimmy mucus forming in filter, even though i change it often??

Question

My 14 year old son, thought it would be a great idea to get me (his mother) a pet turtle for my birthday. It's a red ear slider turtle. I've done some research on how to set up the tank. Although I did notice when I was changing the filter that it was loaded with white mucus, almost s***n like. I'm not sure what in the world it is. Can anyone help??

Answer 1

Kids give us what they love for gifts don't they.

Is there any fuzz hanging off of his leggs or neck?

Are his eyes swollen? Soft shell?

Did you know that they need to bask under a reptile light UVA/UVB for  8 to 10 hrs a day for the vitamin D that  they need to grow. So that means getting a turtle dock also.

Leave the heater on 75 to 78 degrees always.

Their water needs to be clean otherwise they get sick easily from dirty water cause they p**p allot.

You need a good filter system!

You need to feed them feeder guppies, goldfish or minnows for protein and calcium daily drop 20 or so in the tanks and watch them disappear! This way when they swim for their dinner they get exercise also!

They need leafy greens( Romaine, Butter lettuce. Iceberg and cabbage are bad for them  any leafy greens will do) for vitamin A,  at least 3 to 4 times a week.

And a big tank 55 gallons or more..

Illnesses include these systoms.

Fungal infections” are fairly common among red-eared sliders, especially younger ones. If you notice what looks like a light layer of cotton on your slider’s shell or eyes or in its mouth, this is most likely some form of fungal infection. Although their appearance can be alarming, most infections in their early stages are fully treatable at home. If a fungal infection remains untreated, however, it can spread across the entire body and cause serious harm to your turtle.

To treat a mild fungal infection, immerse your red-eared slider in a warm saltwater((( specialized salt  bought in the reptile section))) then mix  one tablespoon in a gallon of warm water bath for about half an hour each day, using a soft sponge to gently scrub the infected regions. You can also treat patches of fungus with topical applications of a mild antiseptic, such as povidone-iodine if needed.  As long as the problem isn’t severe, you should notice signs of recovery within a day or two, and a full recovery in about 10–14 days.

If your turtle has a persistent fungal infection that home treatment isn’t curing, take it to the vet for treatment. Several medications are available that can address a fungal infection if it hasn’t spread too far.”

**Shell Rot. *** First make a dry box to keep the turtle in, shell rot needs water to grow.

Keep it warm and give it plenty of light. Scrub the shell gently with a toothbrush and water. Let the turtle swim for about 20 minutes a day in something other than his pond or tank that has real clean water. 1-2 times a day take a cotton ball apply Hydrogen Peroxide to it then to his shell. It'll start bubbling which means its cleaning it. it. DO NOT get it in his eyes. Then clean the shell and apply providone-iodine solution to the shell, coat the shell and don't clean it off until he is ready to swim the next day.** Keep this up for several weeks and it should go away. .

**MOST important !!! TOSS in a bird cuttle bone in the water for calcium. it will dissolve real slow and if they eat it that’s fine!!

Respiratory Infections *****Sliders, cooter, map, painted, yellow bellied and other aquatic species are susceptible to respiratory infections. Many respiratory infections that can affect sliders are mild and easily treatable in their EARLY stages, but there are also some particularly virulent infections that can kill a turtle very quickly without veterinary attention. Sliders usually develop respiratory infections when their tank is too cold. **Symptoms of an infection include a runny nose, wheezing, lopsided swimming (an ailing lung changes the turtle’s buoyancy), lethargy, and a refusal to eat. If you identify the illness in its early stages, you may be able to treat it by removing the sick slider from its quarters into a new, clean tank (especially if you keep multiple sliders, since the majority of respiratory infections are contagious) and keeping it a few degrees warmer than normal. Warmth is the most crucial factor in treating respiratory infections in the home. If the condition persists for more than a few days or worsens, bring your slider to your veterinarian, who will treat the infection with antibiotics.”

***Contact the “herpetologicalsocieties.com, for a turtle vet in your city and state.

Swollen eyes are caused in 90% of cases for filthy water coming in contact with the slider. Some others are attributed to vitamin A deficiency and to chlorine water.

The Symptoms are bulging eyelids, as well as flaking of skin, and bloody skin patches. Swollen eyes can result in vision problems or can cause permanent blindness.

Prevention comes again tied to good husbandry and constant control of the water quality. Get the best filter for your tank.

Give the necessary vitamins and nutrients to your animal.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29035692@N0...

Answer 2

It sounds to be fungal, and this can cause problems for your turtle, too.

A good way (if the turtle is not exhibiting shredding/hanging shreds off its skin) to clear this up is to incorporate a bit of Sea salt into the environment.

Use 1 level Tbsp. of Sea salt (not Morton's... go to a pet store) to each 10 gals. of water in the tank.

It will help with fungal infections, eye problems, algae growth, and supply the salt your turtle needs.

Before doing this, I would suggest a complete strip down of the tank, filters, catridges, etc., and washing your turtle's shell with a soft tooth brush and salt, rinsing under running water.

Check your animal closely for "fringes" of skin.  This could be a normal shed, but it could also be a fungal invasion.  If you are seeing shredded skin 'clinging' to your turtle, you may want to consult a vet, or load a reptile site on home treatment, and take the risk.

Shedding is normal, but not on-going.  If you are seeing this sort of growth on your turtle 24/7, it isn't normal.

There is much to know about lighting, heat, UVB, and diet.  Rather than paste a mile long answer here, feel free to email me at [e-mail] if you have further care questions.  Type "Mom's B-day Turtle" on the subject line.

Happy belated Birthday, and I hope this has been helpful.