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My little turtle is making high pitched sounds...just heard them, while he was basking...then it was time to feed, and instead of eating, the mouth was just open and I heard the sounds!! What does this mean????

So he/she didn't eat?

Do you know the symptoms of respiratory infection (RI)? Lethargy (acting tired, lacking energy), poor appetite, swollen or irritated eyes, breathing with the mouth open or yawning a lot, mucus around the mouth or nose, difficulty submerging or swimming lopsided. A turtle doesn't have to show all these symptoms to have RI, especially in the early stages, but if he/she is showing several of them, then I'd worry about RI.

When a turtle has RI, he/she has trouble breathing and sometimes makes a squeeking or wheezing sound when breathing.

I'd separate the turtle making the sounds from the others right away because if it is RI, then it's highly contageous. Keep him/her warm - around 80 degrees. If he/she is still acting odd in a few hours, I'd recommend going ahead and calling your herp vet. If it turns out to be RI, the earlier it's treated the better the turtle's chances are. The treatment for RI is antibiotics.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Thank you! This one is by himself...I just noticed today. Yesterday was fine, and he was eating just fine, but today he just wants to bask. The sounds have stopped but I will put up the temperature, thanks!

Umm actually, it's not the wheezing sound...I've heard that before. This one sounds like someone screaming... The swimming is a bit sideways, but I turned up the temp of the water and the basking section. He at least ate a little...but then it looked like it was throwing up except nothing was coming out. Poor little guy

it sounds like a vet visit might be in order...

hey hey .. guys .. whats up ... i think i might have the same high pitched sound problem ... what causes it? and there are no vets that can see about turtles in trinidad ... so i guess i gonna have to do my own thing !!! thats sad ....

If caught early, raising the temps could save your turtle.
I would raise it to 82 degrees for a week or until she feels better.If in a week she's still sick, a vet visit is a must if you want to save her life.

i dont think u read the part about local vets not seeing turtles lol ... but i'll raise the temp ... thanks alot .

spaz wrote:i dont think u read the part about local vets not seeing turtles lol ... but i'll raise the temp ... thanks alot .

I'm sorry but i wasn't answering to "your" post, but the "original" poster. Only now i realize this is a 6 month old post that you Hijacked.
Next time just start your own. You will receive better help