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My girl started gasping for air this afternoon. She started wheezing and we could see mucus coming out from her nostril.

We brought her to the herp who told us that she has caught pneumonia. She was given a jab of trexofin and put on oxygen tank to help with her breathing.

We were then told to bring her home and put her under a lamp for warmth. However my girl is not responding now and I really fear the worst.. She's with us for 20 years and she's part of the family. I really don't want to lose her. Can anyone please help? I feel like crying now..

What you described sounds like an RI to me, but if she only just started doing it this afternoon.... it would be odd for her to, pass on that quickly...

Does anyone else suspect the vet misdiagnosed? I could be wrong, but its a hunch.


As for your problem, if shes laying on the basking dock, with her legs and neck extended, and not moving... it could be the worse... However, you can try picking her up, check for breath from her nose/mouth, perhaps drop a droplet of water into her eye, and see if she blinks.... Im not sure of the side effects of Trexofin, but perhaps it could be drowsiness?


I wish you the best of luck, and hope your girl doesnt end up like my little guy

That drug is not used in the US so it's hard to find info on it. The only thing I could find is from Singapore and it says it's a drug administered to people for a variety of conditions. There are also side effects but I don't think they would be the same for a turtle. Here's the link if you're curious: http://www.mims.com/Page.aspx?menuid=mn ... al&CTRY=SG

What kind of vet did you go to? Was it a herp vet? I think that you should get a second opinion, and make sure it's a herp vet you're seeing.

Meanwhile, his recommendations are good. Keep her dry docked and warm under a lamp. Give her a little time and see if she becomes responsive. If so, then put her in a little water once or twice a day so she can hydrate herself.

That's all that I can think of right now. Turtles are hardy creatures and I really think that yours will overcome this.

Keep us updated on how she's doing.

An untreated RI can lead to pneumonia...

When you say she doesn't respond, if you gently pull on a limb, does she retract it?

I find it odd that a vet would put her on oxygen for just a little while and then tell you to take her home...

How warm are you keeping her? Get some Pedialyte and mix it 50/50 with warmish (about 80F) water to hydrate her in periodically (twice a day). Keep her warm and out of drafts.

She didn't make it. My girl passed on last night. Thank you all for your advices. At least I was there with her during her last moments..

Sorry to hear it You did what you could, you should be proud.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Its always hard to lose something you love.

I'm very sorry to hear you lost her.

Im sorry for your loss

I'm very sorry you lost her

I am sincerely sorry for your loss.