Urgent Care :: My Turtle Is Sneezing

[curiouscheshire]

I've had my red eared yellow bellied slider (I was told she was both and she looks like it) for about a week now. Her water temperature stays at about 78°F or 26°C. She has a basking spot that she can get on. I'm also getting a UVB bulb this weekend. She's a little over a year old and very active. She has a basking light but I was told to turn it off at night to mimic the natural light outside. Even when I turn off the light her water temperature stays the same because I have a heater that keeps it at the right temperature. I feed her pellets, the brand ReptoMin, and I'm also getting her guppies this weekend.

I got my turtle from my cousin who didn't want her anymore. When I got her her tank was too small and she wasn't properly being taken care of. So when I got her I got everything she needed. My cousin also told me that every now and then she sneezes. This is my first pet turtle so I thought it was a quirk until I did more research.

My turtle started sneezing again today. She's done it once or twice this past week. She's also shedding, that's what it looks like anyway. It's only on her skin. Unfortunately she does not have a filter at the moment. We bought one but it didn't work right so we're returning it and getting her a new one tomorrow. In the mean time I'm cleaning her tank every day.

I'm not sure if the sneezing is normal or an infection. She's eating very well and she's very active. She's not yawing or anything. But she swims well and there's no mucus when she sneezes. I'm worried about her (since I've never had a turtle before I'm probably a little more worried then I should be). I love turtles and I want to make sure she's taken care of properly. So any advice on what this could be or what I could do to help her would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

[steve]

Is there any mucus? Does it happen in or out of water? A random sneeze is probably nothing to worry about, though if it's occurring regularly, I'd keep an eye out on any other symptoms. I'd also bump up the temperature to about 82F until this is sorted out.

[curiouscheshire]

In happens in and out of the water. I haven't seen any mucus. But I'll raise the temperature a little, thank you.

[steve]

So it only happens once or twice a day (or less)?

[JimmyLo]

We keep both our RES (see ages below) at the low-range of the higher temperatures - water temp usually stays between 82-84 ºF. This might change as they get bigger, but it keeps their immune system stable. Matilda's might be adjusted when we're 100% that she's ok (she was a rescue from a couple days ago).

Anyway - keep temps in the 80s (basking at 90+), report back if you see anything come of her nose or if you notice she starts gasping for air.

[metalhead2791]

Look out for the frequency of those sneezes. How many times have you come across it sneezing ?
Look out for the mucus immediately after she sneezes especially when she s basking.
Don't mean to sound pessimistic but keep a close watch on her , see if she begins to tilt to one side while swimming.
N keep your fingers crossed hoping its not a respiratory infection. Trust me its takes a lot more than you think outta the lil guys.

Yeah amp up the temp like the others have already posted n keep us posted

[LeonardoTheTerrapin]

No mucus and swimming without being lopsided are positive signs. Could it be the environment? Any sprays, perfume, chemicals which are stored or used frequently in the vicinity of the tank? I noticed my RES used to sneeze irregularly when my walls were being painted once, but he stopped after a few days after the work was done.