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FAQs About Turtle Respiratory Disease/Health
Related Articles:
Treating Common Illnesses
of the Red Ear Slider (& other Emydid Turtles) by Darrel Barton,
Turtle eye diseases; Recognising and
treating eye diseases in pet turtles by
Neale Monks,
So your turtle
has the Flu? Recognising and treating respiratory infections in pet
turtles by Neale Monks,
The Care and Keeping of the
Red Eared Slider,
Trachemys scripta elegans by
Darrel Barton,
Shell Rot in Turtles,
Turtles,
Amphibians, Red
Eared Slider Care,
Related FAQs: Turtle Disease
1, Turtle Disease 2,
Shell Rot,
RES Disease, &
Turtles 1,
Turtles 2,
Red Ear Sliders,
Turtle Identification,
Turtle Behavior,
Turtle Compatibility,
Turtle Selection,
Turtle Systems,
Turtle Feeding,
Turtle Reproduction,
Amphibians, Other
Reptiles,
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Turtles spitting and blowing bubbles – 09/26/09
Hello, I have three red eared sliders, approximately 1 years old.
They're in good health, they eat well, and get plenty of light and heat.
They sound like they're perfect but they have this very annoying habit
of blowing bubbles and spitting on the surface of the water.
<Actually, this might be a serious issue.>
It's loud, and since their tank is in my bedroom it wakes me up at
night. It also makes their tank dirty very quickly. I've noticed that a
film will build up on the surface of the water after about a week of
them constantly blowing bubbles/spitting. I've been looking all over the
Internet trying to find a solution to this problem.
Is there anything that might explain why they do this, or is there
anything
I can do to prevent them from noisily blowing bubbles and spitting?
<While turtles may sometimes splutter or bubble for no particular reason
while swimming, if they're doing this constantly, and especially if they
do this out of the water, it's a possible sign of a respiratory tract
infection. If the bubbling goes along with wheezing, sneezing, or odd
discharges from the nose or mouth, then this is almost certainly the
diagnosis. Because reptiles need very particular conditions to stay
healthy, and because turtles are very often given an inadequate diet (no
vitamin supplements, pellets rather than fresh greens), and because the
importance of UV-B as opposed to visible light is often overlooked, the
numbers of turtles that suffer from respiratory tract infections is very
high. So, the wisest thing to be would be to call your local exotic
animal vet, at least discuss what you're observing with the nurse or vet
there, and if necessary, bring them in for a check up. Do read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fwsubwebindex/turtrespart.htm
re: Turtles spitting and blowing bubbles – 09/27/09
Thank you for the quick reply!
<You are welcome.>
I checked the turtles for any discharge and didn't see any, I also
checked for any breathing issues and they seem perfectly healthy.
<Cool.>
My friend made a comment about them spitting and blowing bubbles for
fun.
<Do be careful about placing human interpretations on animal behaviours:
that road leads to confusion, not clarity. Animals don't think or work
in the same way we do, and you'll always do better when keeping them if
you
bear that mind.>
Sounds ridiculous, but since there seem to be no health issues could
that be the case?
<Unlikely they do it for "fun" -- there's no evidence reptiles engage in
any kind of play behaviour whatsoever. It may merely be incidental to
some other behaviour, but do keep an open mind, review the maintenance
requirements of these turtles, and in particular diet, UV-B and
temperature (the three things reptile keepers most often get wrong).
Good luck, Neale.>
More: re: turtles 9/21/09
Hello again-
<Hiya for the first time - Darrel here>
One of my turtles has been showing signs of what I've read to believe is
respiratory infection- the poor thing shows no interest in food while
the others do, she just sits on the dock in the water with her head out
and
occasionally opens her mouth to let out a strange wheezing bark- other
than keeping up on a healthy diet and such what can I do, or what
shouldn't I do to keep my turtles entirely healthy.
<Great question Nick. You came to the right place too! We recently
published an INCREDIBLE article entitled Treating common illnesses of
The Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) and other Emydid
turtles.>
<It's well written, very informative, easy to follow and it covers,
among other things wheezing and bubbly nose associated with respiratory
infections. The author is brilliant, very experienced and handsome, too>
<Generally, the trick with reptiles and fish is to KEEP them healthy by
close attention to their conditions. They don't need very much, Nick ...
but what they DO need .. they need exactly and completely. So ... two
links. The first is an article on treatment that will help you get your
little guy back on the road to health and the second on basic care --
check everything in your setup, routine and environment against the
suggestions
in the second article and correct anything that's not up to speed.>
nick
<Treatment:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/treating%20RES%20Dis%20DarrelB.htm>
<Basic Care:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/RESCareBarton.htm>
My Turtle - gaping or coughing? 9/10/09
Dear Crew,
<Hiya! Darrel here today>
I have had a painted turtle for a year now. My kids found her last
summer at our family campsite. She was very small when we got her, so I
feel safe in saying she is only a year old.
<OK, at the moment exact age isn't important anyway>
I have her in a 20 gallon tank, and I clean it once a week, but lately
she has been sitting on her dock when she is basking and is biting at
the air.
It is like she is trying to catch something like a fly but there is
nothing there, is this normal?
<Mmm Can be. Sometimes they gape - hold the mouth open for a while,
almost like a yawn ... and this is normal. HOWEVER ... it could also be
an early sign of a respiratory infection and this behavior is as close
as a turtle can get to a cough. The good news is that at this early
stage, it's also easy to treat.>
<UV light, basking light, clean water and a good diet -- and these
symptoms will subside. I've enclosed a link below that describes the
basic care for all Emydid (hard shelled) water turtles and it covers all
these
issues>
Also I can't get her to eat plants or kale should she be eating more of
those at her age?
<Be careful with Kale and Spinach ... both will tend to leach calcium
from them. As the guide suggests, a high quality Koi food pellet fed in
the water is a perfectly balanced diet for a Painted Turtle. You can
supplement once a week with a single earth worm or night crawler -- but
that's more for a treat than any dietary requirement,>
How often should she be fed?
<All the pellets in the water that she'll eat in 5 minutes -- then scoop
out the rest. 6 days a week. When in doubt, under feed -- nothing wrong
with her being a little hungry>
I put food in her dish every morning and it seems to last her all day.
<Turtles are best fed in the water -- however I do know people that
don't want to make the tank water messy, so they remove the turtle to a
shallow tub with about an inch of room temperature water and feed the
turtle in that ... removing him back to his regular tank after 5 or 10
minutes>
Sorry I have so many questions
<No problem ... we have MANY answers!>
but my last question is, how big of a tank should I have her in? I was
told a minimum of 75 gallons is this true?
<When she's 8 years old and 5-8 inches long, yes. Right now a nice clean
20 gallon tank is just fine!>
Thank you for answering my questions.
Mechelle
<No problem, I enjoyed it!>
<care:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/RESCareBarton.htm>
Red Eared Slider behavior – 07/14/08
Hi,
<Hiya, Darrel here>
I have a few questions for you, I hope you can help me care better for my
son Pauli:
<I'm going to read on before I make any leaps of logic here>
1. I bought a RES, her eyes were swollen shut and were draining pus. I went
to the Pet Shop and got drops and other medicines, the tank has UV lights,
the water temp was fine, and I left her in the sun for 30mins a day, but
after a week she died, I just want to know what more I could have done as I
am scared to buy another one, I got too attached and then got sick when she
died.
<On behalf of Bob Fenner and the entire crew, we're sorry for your loss,
Chantell. Buying an animal that is already showing signs of illness will
almost never have a happy ending. The predators of fish and reptiles usually
go for the weak and injured animals first, so if you're a fish or a turtle
it pays NOT to be sick or injured, but even if you are sick or injured -- it
pays to not APPEAR to be sick or injured. For this reason fish and reptiles
are very stoic animals - they often will appear to be just FINE until
suddenly they appear REALLY sick and this is often just hours before they
die. Most fish or reptiles have had a debilitating disease for weeks --
sometimes even months -- without any signs that you would see unless you
were looking closely and knew just what to look for>
<You did the right things -- Vitamin A (injections are best but drops
usually work), massive antibiotic injections and sunlight are three of the
four things needed, but by the time the eyes are weeping pus, the fourth
item you needed was a small miracle. Again, our sympathies.>
2. Also I have a male Red Eared Slider named Pauli that I have had for about
8 months now. He is healthy and beautiful. Last night I was talking to him
and he started to make funny sounds, like he was "talking" back to me. I
called my husband as I thought I was imagining it but he did the same. He
swims to the top of the water with just his head out and then makes the
sounds. Is it normal?
<Is he telling you to kill your landlord or buy stocks in an Internet
Startup? I know that sounds crazy, Chantell, but take it from me -- I breed
turtles ... and turtles don't know ANYTHING about the stock market!>
<Seriously, the can make a sort of clicking sound with their jaws and
something resembling a hiss/growl as they breathe. The thing to do is make
SURE that it's not the bubbly/raspy sound of breathing through an upper
respiratory infection. Look closely for bubbles coming from the nose as he
breathes.>
3. Pauli eats anything meaty and leafy, but he refuses to eat the pellets we
give him. I have tried to mix it with meaty things but he is too clever, he
eats the meat and leaves the pellets, when he does occasionally bit into one
he spits it right back out. Do you have any suggestions how to get him to
eat it?
<Yes I do, but you're not going to like it. After you verify that Pauli is
otherwise healthy you stop giving him food of any kind except Tetra brand
Repto-Min and you offer THAT only once a week for no longer than 10 minutes
& then you remove it and try again next week. Week after week. Into next
month and maybe the month after. Until Pauli gets hungry enough to eat. It's
a contest of wills, Chantell. I once went .... brace yourself .... in fact
sit down .... I once went THREE AND A HALF YEARS with a Box turtle named
Clara that had fixated on strawberries and wouldn't eat anything else. Every
week, every month, every year .... nothing. I was convinced she was trying
to out-live me until one day she turned a corner and ate the earthworm I'd
offered. After that, everything was fine except for her incessant chatter
about investing in some company named goodell or goober or Google or
something like that!>
<Make sure that water temp is not too warm -- and that basking temp IS nice
and warm. Available temperature choices are a major factor in eating
habits.>
4. Last question, Pauli sometimes has the habit of swimming around and then
doing a 180degree turn in the water when visitors come over, is he playing?
<We're not sure if turtles have that level of sentient awareness, Chantell,
but they sure do entertaining things!>
Thank you,
<You're welcome!>
Chantell
P.S We don't have vets in the UAE specializing in reptiles, so a friend
suggested this sight. Keep up the great work, I learned a few things from
the site.
<Keep the kudos coming! We're vain & shallow & respond well to praise!!!!!!>
Terrapin- R infection. Turtle
hlth. – 03/18/08
HI there,
I came across your website as I have been worried sick about my little terrapin.
I am from Singapore and recently bought 3 terrapins 3 weeks ago.
About a week and half ago I noticed that one of them refused to eat, sneezed a
lot, sleep a lot, the shell can't sink and yawns.
<Lung infection...>
Initially I didn't know that they need sun/light
<Or other source of red-end spectrum lighting, Vitamin supplements>
to bask so I figured little Meeno ( sick one) caught a cold. I started putting a
heat lamp for them to bask and during day time I have them out in the sun ( not
direct sun).
Also brought it to the Vet last week and was prescribed Baytril solutions to be
put in the tank.
<Ahh!>
Little Meeno started to be a little more active and tried to eat a little on the
3rd day after the medication but couldn't eat.
Every time Meeno opens its mouth, bubble comes out and pushes the food further
away, and it gave up after a while ( breaks my heart watching it). I tried hard
boiled egg white but to no avail. I brought it to the vet again on the 6th day
and the vet started Injections. Meeno had the first jab
yesterday and I did the second one today ( but I was nervous so I think the jab
caused a little bleeding). I also started soaking Meeno in V8 juice.
<Interesting>
The vet said that Meeno probably has pneumonia now and prognosis is looking
poor.
<Yikes>
I was wondering what else I can do to save it. The other 2 terrapins are eating
a lot and doing fine. As I put the little guys out near the sun from morning
till evening, do I still need to turn on the basking light at night?
<I would for now, yes>
What else can I feed Meeno? Thank you so much for your help,
Desperate,
Su
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwlvstkind2.htm
toward the bottom of the page... re Turtle systems, feeding, respiratory
disease. Bob Fenner>
Re: Turtle
FAQs work on WWM, call for articles 1/16/08
Hi Bob,
<Neale>
Here's a thousand words on respiratory tract infections of turtles. A
slightly complex topic, but I hope it's all clear and simple enough to
understand now.
<Ah yes>
I will look at the eye infections topic too, if you want.
<Please do>
Cheers, Neale
<What sort of recompense are you looking for here? BobF>
Re: Turtle FAQs work on WWM, call for
articles, U.S. pres. choices, choosing 1/16/08
Hi Bob,
<Neale>
Since that article isn't all that long, and the one on turtle eyes
likely won't be either, happy to do a 2-for-1 sort of thing here. Seem
fair? But honestly, you know the market better than me, so happy to be
paid whatever seems right to you.
<Real good... will send along via PP presently>
Trying to follow your presidential election system from here. Boy, it
seems crazy to me...
<Is... more folks who don't "believe" in things like "evolution"... Nor
other "theories" no doubt, e.g. gravity... and Barack now has a simple
servant bail out plan... Won't vote for him either... Am casting/tossing
my vote for Ron Paul... about the only honest choice that has a platform
I agree with... so it goes>
the Dems didn't bother running in Michigan at all, so registered Dems
ending up helping to choose for the Repubs?
<Mmm, no, not really... just the first bout... real election/Electoral
comes later... We'll see>
Cheers, Neale
<And you, BobF> |
Turtle FAQs work on WWM, call for
articles 12/12/07
Chelonian types... you know who you are... the ones with the Plastrons...
Have recently split up, added Turtle Respiratory and Turtle Eye Disease SubFAQs
files to WWM... and am hoping you might be interested in penning for-pay
articles re these categories, conditions... BobF.
Re: Turtle FAQs work on WWM,
call for articles - 12/13/07
Hi Bob,
I'll certainly take a look and see if I can help. But the respiratory disease
one is pretty simple -- if your turtle is wheezing, has cloudy eyes, a runny
nose, and no interest in food... take it to the vet!
<Mmm, yes... but... this "idea" can/could be expanded on to include preventative
issues like proper habitat... gentle urging of folks to be pro and otherwise
active... Remember, our target audience...>
Forgive me for not being too involved today/tomorrow. I'm packing today for my
trip to the States, and will be in transit tomorrow.
Cheers, Neale
<No worries and bon voyageeeee! Cheers, BobF>
Red Eared Sliders
Hi,
I don't know if u can help but I hope you can. here is my problem I have two red
ear sliders and they are in separate tanks they both have a strange sickness.
they wont eat at all. one has swollen eyes and he either coughs or
sneezes under water then his throat swells up and he lets out a big bubble or
a bunch of water. the other turtle is the same but his eyes are not swollen. he
has the same problem with his throat swelling up etc... the other turtle also
has a hard time with his breathing. I have turned up the heat to about 85or so
because I read somewhere u should turn the heat up if they are sick but that's
not helping any. can u tell me what I can do?. also these turtles are about 3
to 5 yrs old. there water is clean all the time I change it twice a week. they
have filters and a light and a basking area in the tank too. what would happen
if I keep them out of the water for a while ?I know they wont eat outside of the
water but they wont eat in the water either. do u think they have a liver
problem? or a kidney prob.>?or should I buy some of that antibiotics from the
pet store ?help me if u can please. thanks for your time. I will be looking
forward to your response thank you and take care.
signed; sick sliders
<Hey boss, as much as I would love to help, in this situation I think I would
try to find a good reptile vet. Sneezes are usually a sign of respiratory
problems. If the water is clean and the diet is good and you still continue to
have problems, a vet may be the best place to turn. Best Regards, Gage>
Old Turtle Needs Help 7/16/05
Hello, we have a pond in our backyard about 12 feet by 7 feet and have
several red ear sliders. The oldest turtle is sick! When she hisses it sounds
like she's gurgling. Her shell is peeling on top. And she stays out of the water
all day even when we go outside. We want to save her, what can we do?
Teresa
< I would recommend isolating this turtle so it doesn't make the others sick. I
think your turtle has come down with pneumonia. It needs vitamins, heat and
antibiotics. The turtle knows heat will help and that is why it stays out so
long. Set up a basking spot so the temp gets up to 100 F. Give him vitamins
orally though an eye dropper. Get him to a vet for some antibiotics. You should
see some improvement in a week.-Chuck>
Sick Baby Red Ear Turtle
We have a red slider about the size of a 50 cent piece. We purchased him
about 12 weeks ago. He is set up in a small aquarium with water 1/2 full with a
floating perch. We keep him under a desk lamp when there is poor sunlight.
Within the past 2 days he has stopped eating. He stays on his perch most of the
day. I think I have noticed "sneezing"? What can we do to help our turtle
get back to his old self?
< Your turtle probably has a respiratory infection. You need to get a lamp that
provides both heat and the proper wavelength of light. Keep the desk lamp on him
12 hours per day over the basking spot. Use a incandescent plant light bulb of
about 60 to 80 watts. Use an electrical timer to keep the photoperiod the same.
Heat and antibiotics are the only two things that will help. If he is not better
in a few days then your turtle should be taken to a vet.-Chuck>
Re: Sick Turtle - 05/13/2006
Turtle Gasping
Great. Thank you very much. They seem to be working very well. He does
seem to gasp for air sometimes though. Is this something to worry about?
< A gasping sound may be the first sign of a respiratory problem. May
sure the basking site gets up to 85 to 90 F. If it continues then see a
vet.-Chuck>
Turtle Survival Story - 06/07/2006
Thanks so much for this wonderful site! I had two hatchling turtles that
were very sick (on arrival) and I was able to save one with eye drops,
sulfur dips, correctly temperatured, clean water, and a proper basking
light. They both had swollen, dry eyes, respiratory problems and from
reading what I imagine as an ear infections (both) on the right side of
their necks.
The surviving turtle has stopped chirping and is eating regularly, has
become more active and has even become shy again as runs for the water when
I approach the tank-which tells me he did not lose his sight with the
infection if he sees me coming. The lump on the right side of his neck is
entirely gone. He has no problems submerging. However, he prefers Repto-min
to the hatchling food. Is this OK? I've tried krill, Nature Zone Aquatic
Turtle Bites, and Zoo Med's hatchling food, but the only thing he will eat
is the Repto-Min. I haven't tried spinach or crickets yet and am trying to
find worms.
<Repto-Min is OK but a varied diet is best. Feed three times a week but only
offer the Repto-Min once a week and offer something else the other two
times. He will be hungry enough to eat whatever you throw in the tank after
the first week. Younger turtles need more meat than adults. Occasionally
offer Kale and Spinach>
Also, I have two more hatchlings on the way. I am hesitant to put them in
the same tank for fear of bacteria for their own health and for my
recovering turtle. Can I give them a sulfur dip before placing them in with
the other turtle? Thanks again for your great site and for saving my
turtle's life. - Tom D.
(Boston)
< The dips will help with external problems but not with the internal lung
problems. Quarantine the new turtles until they are healthy and active just
like your turtle is now.-Chuck>
Turtle Problems - 10/21/2006
I have two questions. Ever since I have had my turtle she has had these
white stringy things hanging out of her mouth, and I can't get them off when I
clean her because she pops her head into her shell. Is there another way and do
I need to be worried? Also, today when she was sun bathing on her rock I saw
bubbles coming out of her mouth. Is that normal? Thank you for your
time. -Kira
<Kira, these symptoms do not sound normal. I would recommend that you call a
local veterinarian that works with reptiles and see if they have any suggestions
for you. Wishing you and your turtle well, -Sabrina>
Turtle With Bubbles 1/28/07
Hey WWM Crew-I have been reading a lot of things on your website about how
turtles and bubbles are bad. I have a painted turtle that is probably only 3
1/2-4". He's been great, but I noticed yesterday that he was coming to a certain
part of the tank, sticking his head up, snapping at the top of the water,
bringing his head back down and then blowing the bubbles out of his mouth once
his head got under. I didn't know if I should be concerned or if he was just
bored and amusing himself. Thanks so much!
Beth
< The problem is when turtles get breathing problems and liquids, foams and
bubbles are being exhaled when the turtle is on dry land. This is a sign of
liquids being in the lungs. Your turtle sounds bored but it may be trying to
obtain some fats and oils floating on the top of the water from the food.-Chuck>
Turtle Foaming 9/8/05
Hello, I have a question. Someone bought me turtles the size of quarters
about 5-6 years ago, now one passed away. The other has grown quite a bit and
is doing fine until....I looked at the tank this morning and noticed a little
bit of foaming around it. I thought he was just blowing bubbles. Now I'm
looking at it again and there is a lot of foaming going on in the tank. Can
someone please let me know what's going on? I don't want it to die. Thank you,
Frances
< This is usually a sign of a respiratory infection. Clean the tank, change the
water and clean the filter if you have one. These things usually happen when the
tank is kept too cold or the basking spot is not warm enough. When a turtle gets
sick they need to get somewhere to heat up. It would be like you getting a fever
to fight of a illness. Turtles cannot heat themselves up so need to go somewhere
hot to raise their body temp. In an enclosure that is not properly set up they
cannot do this and so continue to get sick. Make sure the basking spot gets up
to 95 F. The water could be heated up to 70F. Right now you need to get your
turtle to a vet for antibiotics.-Chuck>
Turtle Sick? 8/30/05
First of all thanks for the quick reply. My baby turtle does eat but it
doesn't eat very much. Maybe one little bite of the bread
< Bread? Really? Try earthworms an insects.>
and that's it. And it doesn't seem to like the commercial turtle food that I'm
giving him. I've noticed that when I put my turtle in the water it blows a lot
of bubbles and it's trying to wipe its face with its claws. And if it is some
kind of respiratory problem do you think only raise the temperature of the
basking area to 90 F will work?
< Heating him up will definitely help.>
What other measure do I have to take?
< Get a book on turtles and read it.>
Also you said to clean the shell first before applying antibiotic, what do I use
to clean it?
< Use a Q-tip to get all the infection out and try and get down to the flesh or
shell, then apply the antibiotic.>
I don't see the shell is rotting, it's just that on the surface of its shell I
see black marks. Thank you and please reply.
< Could be variable coloration but you never know.-Chuck>
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