Humpty Dumpty's Release!

I packed along Humpty Dumpty to my vet appointment this morning so Dr Folland could check his shell. He looks great and got the clearance to become a water turtle again! 

Woo hoo! 

He's been so miserable at my house in dry dock. He loves being outside in his wading pool and fights me when I bring him in at night. 

Luckily, my friends have a backyard pond they've built for their ducks and allowed me to put Humpty Dumpty in it today. 

He hesitated only a minute before plunging into the water. Yay! Happy turtle again! 

Dr Folland and my turtle rescue friend suspect that Humpty is a wild-caught turtle who got picked up after he got run over. His shell, his mannerisms, and his refusal to eat normal food all fit the lifestyle of a wild turtle. Since I wasn't willing to just dump him in the "wild," the pond is a perfect home for him. 

Swimming Session

It's finally sunny enough outside that I'm able to let Humpty Dumpty have his swimming time in the sun. 

It's been overcast and cooler (84 high) since Dr Folland recommended it to me. 

Yippee for sunshine! 

*Humpty Dumpty got run over by a car and has a cracked bottom shell. He's been in a "dry dock tank" while we let his shell heal. He is a water turtle, but the shell won't heal if he's in the water. 

Humpty Dumpty

I had to discuss Humpty Dumpty with Dr Folland today. The poor turtle's eyes keep getting stuck shut. 

So now I get to put the antibiotic drops in his eyes twice a day. And starting tomorrow, Humpty will be in outside in a little plastic wading pool I got. He needs more sunshine therapy to heal. 

Eating! When Food is a Good Sign

Lotus chowed down on 6 large superworms today! 

Humpty Dumpty got in his water bowl and ate 8 pellets. 

Woo hoo! Glad both of them are eating again. 

Turtle Timer

(Note: Humpty Dumpty was found wandering a neighborhood two months ago and had obviously been run over by a car. He has three major cracks on the bottom of his shell and the only way to get those to heal is to keep him "Dry Docked" for 3+ months. So while he is an aquatic turtle, he's in a sick tank and has to be dry. He just finished a round of antibiotics too)

I try to put Humpty Dumpty in the bath everyday.

It never works. 

So I try every other day. 

Which sorta works. 

Except I forget about him. 

A lot. 

Whoops! 

Today I set the kitchen timer for 15 minutes and let him soak. I threw in a couple pellets even though he never eats them. 

The timer went off and I turned it off. Then I forgot about Humpty Dumpty. 

About an hour later, I remembered him! 

Blast!! 

The water was only a degree or two too cold and he had eaten! And pooped! 

So I added more warm water to get it to 85 degrees and threw in a few more pellets. 

When I checked on him again, the pellets were gone. Again!! 

Woo hoo! This is the very first time I've seen him eat! 

I must not be leaving him in the water for long enough. I'll rethink my soaking now. 

Humpty Dumpty's Day Adventure

I decided this little cracked turtle needs some variety in his life. So he's spending the day outside in a cage. 

I'm sure he hates the cage, but I can't risk him escaping. I soaked him in the tub for a good 20 minutes and then took him outside. 

He doesn't move around much in his cage. I think he's bored and feeling trapped. Hopefully this helps. 

And that's my dog, Teddy, photobombing. ;) 

Upgrade for Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty, my lone red ear slider, is slowly improving. I had to start him on antibiotic shots. Most days I don't see him at all moving around in his tank. 

Today I upgraded him into a bigger set up. 

He immediately spread his greens all around and then went back in his box hide. 

Yep, he fits right in here! ;)