My box turtle won't eat. What Oxbow Critical Care and how to feed?

Offer a varied diet including pelleted food, fresh greens and prey such as tiny crickets or earthworms. You can get prey from the pet store, do not feed wild caught insects. It may take a day or two for him to acclimate to his new environment. Keep offering fresh food daily. Be sure environmental parameters are appropriate for the species of turtle you have. This includes adequate heat, UVB lighting and water quality. If you know the species, post it in a new question or request a consultation for more detailed care information.

Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. You can soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes once orb twice a week. This will provide warmth and hydration. Offer a variety of dark, leafy greens, chopped vegetables and commercial pellets. She will also need UVB lighting, a powdered multivitamin and a powdered calcium supplement. Set up a heat lamp to provide a basking area on one side of the tank. There should be an appropriate temperature gradient across the tank so she can move from warm to cool as she needs. If you can provide the species of tortoise, more specific advice can be provided.

Thanks for reaching out about Loofa. It does appear as if antibiotics would be beneficial, but check environmental temperature and correct any problems. Offer food through a plastic syringe in the form of watered down pellets or vegetable baby food. Maybe you can convince the dog/cat veterinarian to help. Good luck.

Check the temperature in the tank. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. Water depth should be no deeper than twice the length of the shell. You can offer bits of raw beef heart to stimulate the appetite. Continue to offer chopped greens, pellets and nightcrawlers. You can soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte to maintain hydration. Review painted turtle care at the link below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Turtles-Tortoises/Painted-Turtle/

Look for Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores. Your veterinarian may stock it or you may be able to find it online. If Fluffy is not eating at all, this should be considered a veterinary emergency. Have her physically examined by your veterinarian, a vet experienced in treating rabbits or at the nearest veterinary ER. It is critical to get her eating normally to keep her gut moving. Gut stasis can be life threatening in rabbits.

Thanks for reaching out about Fluffy. Oxbow Critical Care is basically, mulched hay, with added nutrients. The high fiber content is important for the health of the intestinal tract. It being mulched, allows less energy needed to masticate prior to ingestion. Added vitamins and other nutrients will help sick/ill animals in recovery. Good luck.

Be sure to feed her in the water. Water depth should be no more than 3-4 inches at her size. You can offer appropriately sized prey such as crickets or dubia roaches. Brine shrimp, tubifex worms and fresh greens and fruit can also be offered. Commercial pellets or sticks should be a staple. Lethargy, swimming crooked or blowing bubbles are typically signs seen in cases of RI. The "gaping" (opening her mouth) could be her attempt to intimidate you. Follow the link below for more information regarding care. The link is for red eared sliders, but care of YBS is the same. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html