upside down turtle

Question
i got my turtle about 3 weeks ago so its only small baby from the pet shop, and it has always floated but about 5 days ago when i woke up it had fallen off its island upside down in the night, since then it hasnt ate or moved its back legs, do you think he has hurt himself and is worth going to get him checked out? many thanks

Answer
Follow up and follow my instructions by provide the rest of the background information as required by the instructions to questioners.

You didn't tell me about your lighting, habitat, or diet, and there are things that might be significant about what is happening. I also need to know that you know what the species is. You didn't say the species, and the fact is that I have seen too many people put tortoises in aquatic environments thinking they were turtles, and drowning them.

OF COURSE it's worth getting the animal checked out. It has suffered an injury of some kind, perhaps partially drowned and suffered brain damage, or it might have a severe impaction or infection, or anything. It is suffering paralysis and is not self feeding, and that is not going to get better on its own without vet assistance. It will probably die within a couple more days without help. I'm actually appalled that you waited 5 days to ask, and have not already taken it to a vet! I usually call those kinds of animal owners
"irresponsible". You might be just a juvenile however, and in fact, I hope you are because that would be your only reasonable excuse. But, this is one of the reasons I don't recommend reptiles for children too.  

It is a LIFE and needs medical attention, so to me it is definitely worth it. It's a no-brainer. The animal suffers too you know, not just people. If you were paralyzed and not eating for days, someone would take you to the hospital.

You took responsibility for that life when you brought the animal home. To refuse to get the animal medical attention now is ANIMAL CRUELTY. For me it is about your responsibility to the life that you took responsibility for, not how much it is worth, or if it might be cheaper to just let this one die a slow death and buy another one. Do the right thing, and if this animal does not make it, please don't get another one until you do more research and are better prepared. I say that with 20+ years of experience with reptiles.

This might hurt your feelings, but I am advocating for and defending the animal here, not worrying about hurting someone's feelings. A persons feelings is less important to me than the life of the animal in the balance. I say what needs to be said on behalf of a suffering animal. Remember that.    

http://anapsid.org/mainchelonians.html
http://austinsturtlepage.com