Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just joined here and I'm not great at finding my way around, so please pardon me for posting all over the place untill I could find this specific forum.

My red eared slider, Fido, was in water that was too cool. A fiend had cleaned the tank for me, and built up the rock basking ledge too high. I was away for a few days; when I discovered this, I changesthe set up.

Although he got back up onto the rocks, he began openning his mouth wide and then a few days later, started wheezing. My research on this suggests that he has a respiratory infection.

He is now in his tank which has been cleaned and disinfected, with Maracyn Two--Minocycline--with the temperature at 80 or above. The light is on one side, and he seems more active. He is still openning his mouth and stretching his neck out, but not wheezing.

Anyone who has any feedback or suggestions, I would much appreciate them.

He seems to be improving in the second day of antibiotics. I just want to be sure that I've got this under control. And I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this with their RES.

Thanks much. blessings,
yeye

Medicating the water generally will not help a true respiratory infection (especially if it is severe). What is his current water temperature?

If he is eating and improving you probably have not too much to worry about BUT if he is still gasping at all I personally reccomend a trip to the vet for the proper antibiotics to get him over this problem.

Thanks for your response.

Could you tell me what other things might cause the open-mouth, streched neck behavior ?

I understand that this is not a substitute for a vet visit. I'm just tryingto assess the seriousness of this and if a vet is necessary. I was hoping that he could absorb antibiotics through his skin...

The water temperature was up to 85 when I had him in a small mock-hospital aquarium.
He stopped wheezing or making whatever the sound was (never heard it before) and began swimming around more actively. It seemed as if he "wanted" to get into a bigger space.

Now, in his regular aquarium--30 long--the temp is 75.

I don't have a vet that is familiar with reptiles as it's never been necessary before. (I have many mamals, cats and marsupials here and my vet sees them.) I am unaware of a vet for reptiles less than 1 1/2- 2 hours away. That's why I am trying to assess the situation...

He does not seem to be eating. He is active and alert.

Thanks again for the help and responses; I really appreciate it.

blessings,
yeye

Drive the hour and a half to the reptile vet. Antibiotics in the water will do him little good. If you want to try and wait it out and see if he improves thats your decision. True respitory infections rarely get better on their own.

Thanks.
I'm really not trying to be a dingbat; I am much less familiar with turtle issues than with the other species in my home.

I belong to several forums regarding sugar gliders (Australian marsupials) with whom I live. I would jump on someone who would have one of those animals and not know about them ! I'm begginning to realize just how little I know and how much education I need if I am to be of any good to reptiles !

There is an "Alligator Farm" --a comercial zoo-like enterprise--where I live. They have all sorts of reptiles. Maybe they can help or direct me to the right vet.

I'm only guessing, and you can see how poorly, on the respiratory infection idea. It's the most I could surmise from reading the articles I found.

Are there any other causes commonly known for the behaviors I described ?
Fido is swimming vigorously, still hasn't eaten anything that I can see, and is now streching his neck up--no sound being made--between swims. He seems to breath through his nose some of the time, then open his mouth.

If there's anything anyone can tell me, NOT in place of, but untill I see a vet and/or he gets over this, I'd appreciate it. I doubt I'll have much luck calling around tonight.

Sorry if I sound dumb. I'm not dumb, but I am ignorant. We've just never had a problem before. I now see how complicated a problem can be and am looking for any and all solutions.

blessings,
yeye

It sounds like a respiratory infection. I would recommend the vet visit. Keep the temps in the water and the basking platform nice and warm. Otherwise there is not much you can do for him. Mine did not eat until after the meds started taking affect, but his was really bad. He was already wheezing badly when I got him. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Oh yeah, there is also a site that lists herp vets by state, but I am not sure where it is. I will look.
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TurtsandTorts Discussion Group
2 Russians (Harley and Marley)
2 RES (Sunny and Fatty)
2 Gerbils (Sydney and Vienna)
1 Cat (Abby)

Thanks everyone for the help.

I'm sorry to say that Fido died the night before he was going to the vet.

He had gotten so much better that day, and I wanted to get him to the vet to reaaly reinforce his recovery.

I had prayed that I could see a sign --whether he was going to pull through. Despite his climbinb strenght , he died right before the vet got to him. I feel that was my sign.

I cried alot. I find peace in the fact that he is no longer suffering, and is in heaven, as are all creatures that are made of Love.

I need to just absorb this change in my life--grieving, it's called...

Again, I thank you all for your responses and help.

It may take me a moment or two, but I'd like to get back onto this site and explore. Not because I plan to get another turtle now...not at least untill I learn more.

I have a deep love for animals and want to do what is right and fair to them. I'll stop by and chat about my other animal family when this immediate shock passes.

blessings,
yeye