Reptile & Amphibian Forums

MY 4MTH RES IS BREATHING THROUGH HIS MOUTH, WITH HIS HEAD LUNGING FORWARD AND FRONT LEG PUSHING OUT OF HIS SHELL ON INHALE.THERE'S NO RUNNY NOSE OR MUCOUS. IS HE TOO FAT FOR HIS SHELL OR IS IT A RESPIRATORY INFECTION. HE'S BASKING LOTS , SWIMMING FINE BUT NOT EATING AS MUCH. IS THIS STRANGE? HIS SIBLING DOESNT BEHAVE THIS WAY AND HAS ME CONCERNED. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRICIATED.

If your turtle has a lower respiratory infection (pneumonia) it won't nescessarily have runny eyes and nose. Does it float level in the water? Lop sided floating can be a sign of lower resp. inf. The only reliable way to treat resp. inf. is to get injectable antibiotics from a qualified turtle vet. Don't wait until the turtle stops eating to get it to a vet or it may be too late to save it. Quarantine the suspected turtle in a dry tub or box and only put in water to soak once per day for one hour. It does not hurt to house water turtles in this manner during illness. Leaving them in the water all the time keeps the water contaminated. You can feed the turtle during soak time too. If a resp. inf. is diagnosed, your other turtle has been exposed and may need treatment also. The ill turtle should ideally be quarantined from other turtles for at least 3 months (with no signs of illness). Keep both turtles at at least 85 degrees. I highly recommend you get the turtle to a vet ASAP. See link to find a qualified vet if you know of none.
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