African Mud Turtle not eating

Question
QUESTION: Could it be that during and after laying eggs that the turtle has no appitite?  

FYI...We rescued this turtle from the shelter a little over 2 weeks and ago.  I have tried giving her all kinds of things to eat to no avail.  She only layed 3 eggs.

Can you help?  THanks so much.

ANSWER: Hello Jeanne,

Hm, it is possible that she might be calcium deficient & is having a hard time laying her eggs.  I don't think 3 is quite enough eggs.  She should lay more than that.  It is very common for them not eat much of anything while they are preparing to lay.  
If she does not improve soon however, it would be a good idea to try & get an x-ray of her to determine if she is eggbound or is carrying more eggs.  
If she does have eggs, they need to determine exactly where they are, especially if she is eggbound.
Are you providing UVB lighting & calcium supplementation?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick response.  

She could have had more eggs before she got to the animal shelter.  The strange thing was the first day we got her she layed one egg, 2 days later another and two days later another.  I didn't think this was normal.  

In answer to your questions.  I only have a reptile heat lamp for her, however I do have another UBV light available I could use for her.  I was not giving her calcium supplementation, as I did not know what to do.  I will make an appointment at the Vet today and will let you know.  Again, thank you so much.  Jeanne

ANSWER: Hello Jeanne,

Yeah I had thought of that, her having other eggs before you got her!  Maybe that is the case.  Usually they lay all of their eggs all at the same time.  It sounds like perhaps she could be having some egg laying problems.  
If she has not gotten good calcium or UVB prior to your care, that can be a problem after laying eggs.  She could be hypocalcemic which will leave her lethargic & sick.
Yes, use a powdered calcium supplement several times per week for her.  The best UVB light you can get other than a mercury vapor bulb is a Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb.  
Let me know how things at the vets go.  I hope that she is not going to end up being eggbound!

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Tracie:
Sorry to bother you again.  I went to the Pet store today and asked for a Calcium supplement.  After he heard that she wasn't eating - he said that it wouldn't work.  I tried to get an appointment today, but no one was available.  I will try again tomorrow.  Thanks again.  
\r
Jeanne

Answer
Hello Jeanne,

Well, that is not really true.  Sure if she doesn't eat it she wont get any of it. :-))  However, you can mix some up with some water, & give it to her by a plastic dropper or a syringe to help her out.
Can you make her a greens slurry & feed it to her that way?

Tracie