Urgent Care :: Do Turtles Sneeze?

[Scooteer]

I have had my RES for 2 months. Junior had a clean bill of health from the Vet last month. He is 6 1/2 inches the length of his shell. He is stretching his neck and making a sound similar to a frog croke. He has all so sneezed under water several times. The kids have colds, do turtles get people viruses? What do you think?........Scooteer

[JessicaTS]

Wheezing is a sign of respiratory infection. RI is often caused by the lack of vitamin a and bacteria. Besides wheezing, is there any other signs of loss appetite? nasal discharge, mucus?
If so, a visit to the vet is crucial

[tini]

I'd bump up the temp a degree or two also.

[JessicaTS]

lol yes, you should higher in the temps to about 5 degrees each (water and basking)

[Scooteer]

Thanks for your replies. We will be going to the Vet on Tuesday. Besides raising the temp. any other suggestions?.........Scooteer

[JessicaTS]

The diet. Keep the veggies coming which supply vitamin a and keep the water as clean as possible.

[tini]

yeah, I'd probably clean the water out completely. I know when I have a RI I like to be clean *lol*

[steve]

before you start raising temps, what are they now? normally, they should be 75-80

[Scooteer]

Water Temp is at 79 air Temp is 80. He also has a UVB basking light. Where would he get this from? He has his own tank, we change the water every other day. He eats mealy worms, repto mini,
red roman lettuce. I have put in crickets which he does not even look at. Water packed tuna no way. I put in a cuttlebone the night before he started having symptoms. Thanks for all your suggestions.

[steve]

a basking area should be around 10 degrees warmer than the water, 90 is a sweet spot. changing water everyday? the water temps should not be in a flux. a constant 75-78 is considered best.

are there drafts in the room? tank near a vent? a/c in the room? those can contribute to RI. anyway, at least keep the water 80, basking 90 and look for other symptoms that you can report to the vet.

[Scooteer]

Thanks Steve. I will let you know what the Vet has to say tomorrow........Scooteer

[Scooteer]

Sneezing update.
Took Junior to the Vet today. He has a systematic infection. You can see the red coloring under the shutes if you know what you a looking at. 3 weeks or more of antibiotics shots should fix him up. Have you ever tried to give a turtle a shot when he is shelled up? Did not realize how strong they are.....Scooteer

[tini]

well I am glad you have it taken care of and if you need anything just ask.

[steve]

Good luck! What did they say about the croaking? (mine randomly croaked a couple of times)

[marisa]

A systemic infection--it's good you got him to a vet. From what you described, it sounds like he has septecemia (blood poisoning). What medication are you injecting him with?