How to take good care of your red-eared slider terrapin

TERRAPINS

1. Don't overfeed. Too much protein or phosphorus. Variety of food.
2. Don't underfeed. Picky terrapins. Variety including meal worms, fish, vegetables, shrimps from pet shops.
3. Don't use gravel. Rough causing shell injuries. Eaten causing intestinal impaction.
    Smooth pebbles.
4. Inadequate basking area. Need to dry completely. A 2-in-one UVB and heating lamp will be best. Basking area 85-92 deg F. Cannot thermo-regulate. So need warmth. Prevent shell rot or algae. Shell health important. No obstruction to UVB light to terrapins by objects.
5. Don't pull off shedding scutes as new shell is growing. May cause shell rot. Let shedding come off unless too long to fall off. Consult vet.
6.  Water quality. Chlorine causes resp. problems. Healthy terrapins eat and poop a lot. Good canister filtration. Change water weekly. Plants to break down ammonia and nitrates.
7. Escaping turtles. Like to climb out of tank over objects. Prevent cat and dog visit or trauma.
8. Salmonella from terrapins (carriers of Salmonella in poo, no signs) to people. Wash hands.
9. Don't release captives in the wild.






http://2010vets.blogspot.sg/2013/03/1331-images-used-for-caring-for-your.html


http://2010vets.blogspot.sg/2013/02/1279-swollen-eyes-in-two-terrapins.html


http://2010vets.blogspot.sg/2014/09/1499-4-year-old-terrapin-has-swollen.html


Metaplasia of the terrapin's eyes
http://2010vets.blogspot.sg/2013/01/1267-metaplasia-of-terrapins-eyes.html


Ear abscess in a terrapin
http://2010vets.blogspot.sg/2014/01/the-lady-who-googled-ear-abscess.html


Turtles webpage of Toa Payoh Vets
http://www.asiahomes.com/singaporepets/20130131turtles_ToaPayohVets.htm



A moaning terrapin
http://www.sinpets.com/F5/20120919red_eared_slider_moans_toapayohvets.htm


Cheek ulcer in a terrapin, Gasping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyfgbGNAFVQ&feature=youtu.be