Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my baby greek tort seems to be choking, i found him atop his food with his mouth wide open looking dead. i soaked him in water and i watched him open his mouth and put his foot in it, looking like he was trying to get somthing out. he been acting very sick like and still leaves his mouth open. not eating or moving much, this is an emergancy I'm very scared what should i do?

Hi,
It does not sound your little guy is choking. What is the color of his mouth? Is it the normal color. It sounds like he has an infection (Fungus, Virus, bacterial or parasitic) of the mouth.

This is normally the result of environmental stress (incorrect temperature, humidity, light or food).

Are you able to post a photo of his mouth.

You also might want to find a reptile qualified vet to take a look at him. Just be aware of giving antibiotic - they can damage Tort's kidneys and some vets are very quick on applying them.

You can get some anti fungal (Sulphar) bath for shell - it might help putting that into his bathing bowl. You can get it from your pet shop or local vet - they use it in Turtle water to stop shell rot. If he is not eating, do not forget to soak him in warm water often.

Good luck with your little guy. and keep us updated on how he is going.

thank you very much for the info, his mouth color does seem the same as it's always been, what color does mouth rot look like? what would cause it? I said choking because he was fine and eating, but then i gave him some soft store bought food, he started eating it and when i came back he was atop the food with his mouth open looking very uncomfortable, i then soaked him and he was thrashing around, and seemed like he was trying to spit or throw up something up. he has kept his mouth open since then.
maybe he has ingested some bedding and is clogged up or something. i dont know but im very scared and will do anything to heip my little guy. please please help!

I was unable to find a photo of a “normal” Tortoise - but here are some photos of very sick ones. Note the mouth has either white (Light) areas or ulcers. This indicates there is something very wrong.

What does your Tortoise mouth look like? Is it a light read/pinky slightly yellow color without white or red patches?

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/Stomatitis.jpg
http://chelonia.org/Articles/Iforsteniilesions.jpg
http://chelonia.org/Articles/IforsteniiherpesCT3.jpg

I only have Yellow Foots (Two of them) and if they get upset stomachs – they have no trouble throwing up the contents. So I still do not think your little guy has an upset stomach but more trouble with his mouth.

I have also been lucky – my Yellow foots have not had mouth issues. Just get a little dehydrated when they escape from their box – I know they are dehydrated because they their eyes get a little swollen – and tend to keep them closed.

There are some great articles at both Toroisetrust and cheloina.org on Tortoise health.

Hope your little guy is feeling better

How is your little Baby Greek now. If he was chocking it would have been temporary (only a few minutes at most).

Is he any better?