Urgent Care :: Whistle??? Is this normal?

[senecaty]

Hey guys,
Ok...I've tried finding this on the site (I've read every page, excluding forums). My 13 year old RES has started to whistle. He's been doing it for a while though, and it seems to be intermittent. He's very active as usual. He's been eating fine (his normal opertunistic self). But he seems to whistle every now and then. At first I thought he may just be doing it to get my attention. But after reading the Health page on respiratory infections I started to think that it could be something else. Does this come with maturity (the ability to whistle)? I do hope he's fine!!! Also, at night when he sleeps sometimes he has a very very light whistle...almost like he's snoring! Is any of this normal? Or would it be a good idea to have him looked at?

Thank you from both of us in advance!

Tyson

[marisa]

Is there any discernable "pattern" to the whistle, i.e., does he do it when his head is emerging from the water? Does he seem to do it when he's near the side of the tank, for example?

The ability to "whistle" doesn't come with maturity. Does he have any other symptoms (since you've been doing some reading, I'm assuming you know what they are)? The sound could mean the start of an RI, however, I have heard of keepers saying their turtles were making whistling sounds when there were no health problems. Since you indicated it started recently, I'd keep an eye out for other symptoms just in case. If you're really worried, a vet visit wouldn't hurt. I'd be curious to know if the sound occurred in any particular spot in the tank or when he was doing something in particular, though.

[slidin_sliders]

i think it might be the start of RI

[steve]

Would you also describe your turtle as overweight or heavy for his/her age?

[senecaty]

I will have to take a pic. He seems (from the pics and reading that I've saw/read) to be in perfect shape. The only pattern to his whistle is seems to be when he wants my attention! Literally, he'll be sitting there looking at me a start to make this sound. Right now he's basking and sounds just fine. He could swim around all day and night and not make a peep. Although if he starts swimming around (or towards me) he may stop, look at me a make this noise a few times until I give him attention. I've been trying to find a pattern, to see if it only happens at a certian time. I was hoping to get the response back from you guys "they can whistle". lol If you guys say they can't, I will have to bring him to the vet. Any help or advice is good advice!

Thanks again, from both of us!

[BullDog]

Interesting, my turt, who's about 12, also "whistles" sometimes... But it only seems to be when he can see me, generally when he's flipping out and swimming mentally back and forth (begging). Maybe it's because he's breathing heavily?

Would you also describe your turtle as overweight or heavy for his/her age?

I wonder if that's part of it? Sort of like overweight people who wheeze when they're out of breath? What's a good turtle size to weight ratio?

I was worried about RI too, but he was showing no other symtoms...
It's only when he's in the water, and not when he's basking. It's kind of like the noise we make when we've got a really stuffy nose...