Pet Turtle : Bad Diet, Intestinal Blockage, Worms

Constipation
Constipation is almost always caused due to lack of fiber in the diet. Though it may also be cause due to intestinal blockage. Changing the turtles diet can rectify the former, but the latter requires immediate veterinary intervention. While absence of stools (on feeding days) is the prime symptom, lack of appetite, dragging hindlegs, and sluggishness are secondary symptoms to watch out for.

Remedial Measures
1. Stop feeding commercial food, and shift your turtles diet to a high-fiber diet for 7-10 days.

2. You could try giving some leafy veggies, fruits tossed in castor/mineral oil. Avoid non-vegetarian
      food.

3. Provide food in a separate container which has warm water, and keep there for 30-45 minutes.

4. Some milk of magnesia can be given, if dietary changes are not helping.

5. Eitherways, if no change is observed in 7-10 days�meet your vet immediately.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea is almost always due to dietary issues, though it could also be due to worms. Loose watery excreta characterize this condition. It is often accompanied by loss of appetite and in case of worms, worms in vomit. Diagnosis is either made by seeing the worms in the feces or vomitus or, more commonly, through a fecal sample examined under a microscope

Remedial Measures
1. Change diet to give dry food. Commercial food, can be given. Avoid non-vegetarian food.

2. Provide food in a separate container which has warm water

3. Treatment for worms involves oral administration of oxfendazole (for tapeworms, flukes and
       nematodes) or metronidazole. (for flagellate organisms). The latter should used with caution as it
       can lead to sterilization of the intestine and subsequent Vitamin K deficiency. The suggested
      dosage for the former is 23 mg per pound given once and then repeated in 14 days.