Urgent Care :: Strange behaivor with my turtle... is she sick?

[Marcman2020]

Okay, I've had Donna (That's the name of my turtle) for about 2 weeks now, and it wasn't until a few hours ago I noticed she was acting rather strangely...

I noticed she was making a noise that sounded like either a sneeze or a hiccup... I couldn't really tell what it was, but that's what it sounded like. Next, I notice my turtle kept opening her mouth, and she looked like she was trying to vomit or constipated... I noticed she coughed up a small chunk of turtle food... maybe she was choking on it?

However, even after coughing up that food, she was still acting the same... Now, she's just laying on one spot with her mouth wide open... and there seem to be a bit of bubbles on the side of her mouth... I don't think that's normal...

My turtle is about the size of my fist shell wise (FYI, I'm a 17 year old guy, just to give you a better mental image of how big my turtle is)... she's a red ear slider, and as I said, I've had her for 2 weeks.

The temperature in the tank is about 70 degrees... and yes, I'm using a water heater. The tank is about 1/3rd full of water, but becuase I can't remember the amount of gallons it is, my step father purchased the tank, he'd know, but he's sleeping... but it is pretty big) as for water conitioners... I'm not sure, but yes, there is filtration.

We have a heat lamp, and a platform that's easy to climb on. I'm not sure what it's made of though... Just a hard material that's meant to look like rock... as for a UVB light... not sure...

Normally my turtles eat ReptoMin floating food sticks. the last time my turtle ate, to my knowledge, was this morning.

As for how big the tank is... I'm not sure... and no, the tank is not near the window... as for the room... well... the only activity that goes on here is me either typing on the computer or watching TV

I haven't read ALL of the Basic Care section, but I intend to for the sake of knowing what's going on... and no, I haven't searched the forums for any simular situations, I made this in a hurry...

Sorry to be annoying, but I'm worried... I've lost a pet to sickness once in the past, and I don't want it to happen again...

I've already listed the unusual behaivor of my turtle... she also seems to have one eye closed and one eye open... plus, I noticed she was sneezing/hiccuping again. Right now she's just poking her head out of the water looking upward...

If anyone can please tell me what's happening, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

[octpusgirl8]

It sounds like it could be RI, but in any case it sure sounds like she's sick. If i were you i'd take her to the vet, better to be safe than sorry. In the mean time, raise the water temp to 75 or so, this will help if she's sick. About the basking situation, have you checked the temp of the basking area? They need it to be around 10 degrees warmer than the water to encourage proper basking. (mine likes it best around 90) And finally, make sure you get a light that provides UVB as well. Unless you get an MVB you will need two separate lights. There's tons of info about lighting here: http://www.redearslider.com/index_lighting_basking.html
Good luck and keep us posted!

[DavidY]

I agree with octpusgirl8. She needs to see a vet as soon as possible. Those sound like some pretty nasty symptoms. If you've only had her for 2 weeks, it's possible that she may have already been sick before you got her. Make sure there are no cold drafts (like an air conditioner vent) blowing directly on her. I hope she gets better.

[Marcman2020]

Well, we're taking her to a vet tomorrow

right now she seems to be doing better... she's behaving normally again... she's not sneezing or doing any open mouth breathing... Still bringing her to the vet tomorrow just incase

btw, I read alot about turtle health, so now i'm better prepared

Also, the tank is a 18 X 36, and it's a 40 gallon tank. I'd have to say it's 1/3rd filled with water. (Don't worry, they got 2 platforms that are easy to get on)

btw, I have a second turtle in the tank, Sydney, is there a chance that if Don is sick, it couldf be contagious and effect him too?

[DavidY]

Yes, there's a good chance that if it's viral or bacterial that they will both be infected. If you have the ability to separate them until after the vet appointment it might be worth it just to be safe. But if it is something like RI you should ask the vet for enough medication to treat them both anyway.

[SpotsMama]

Sometimes the symptoms of an illness wax and wane. I'd say it's a good sign that your turtle is having periods where she feels better. But something's wrong so you are very wise to keep that appointment with the vet.

[joanna]

Marcman2020 my tutle is acting the same way as yours did, im really worried. it keeps making this weird sound like a sneeze or a hiccup as well
and it hasnt ate for 3 days now, it lost a lot of wait. right now im trying to make it eat but its not eating, it just keeps opening its mouth [it never did that before] and when it opens it it makes that weird sound. what do you think is happing to my turtle?

[overtheedge]

Sounds like yours has a respiratory infection, Joanna. It would be best if you could get your turtle to the vet asap.