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FAQs About Turtle Respiratory Disease/Health Related Articles:
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,
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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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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