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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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?