Why is my turtle sneezing, coughing and yawning?
My turtle is frequently sneezing, coughing, and yawning. It’s okay if your turtle does this occasionally. However, too much could be a sign of a respiratory infection. A common infection is pneumonia.
Is it normal for a tortoise to sneeze?
Very frequent and persistent sneezing in turtles and tortoises does tend to be a sign of this type of infection, which is why this article focuses so heavily on URTDs. The good news is that because URTDs are a common problem in captive turtles, reptile vets tend to be experts at treating them.
What are the signs that a turtle is sick?
Signs of disease in turtles may be specific for a certain disease, such as nasal discharge in the case of a respiratory infection. “More commonly, signs of illness arenon-specific, such as a turtle with anorexia (lack of appetite) and lethargy, which can be seen with many diseases.”.
What causes a respiratory infection in a turtle?
The causes of respiratory infections include several bugs and viruses; Runny Nose Syndrome (RNS) and Mycoplasma agassizii to name a few. Fungal and bacterial infections are also known to cause respiratory illnesses. Often, these occur when living conditions are consistently too cold.
What should I do if my Turtle starts sneezing?
A turtle can sneeze if an irritant gets into its nose. As a precaution, raise the temperature of your turtle’s water by a few degrees, to the 82-85 degree range. Make sure the turtle has a warm basking area. If the turtle quits eating, becomes inactive, gapes (regularly opens its mouth wide), develops swelling around its eyes,…
Very frequent and persistent sneezing in turtles and tortoises does tend to be a sign of this type of infection, which is why this article focuses so heavily on URTDs. The good news is that because URTDs are a common problem in captive turtles, reptile vets tend to be experts at treating them.
Signs of disease in turtles may be specific for a certain disease, such as nasal discharge in the case of a respiratory infection. “More commonly, signs of illness arenon-specific, such as a turtle with anorexia (lack of appetite) and lethargy, which can be seen with many diseases.”.
What should I do if my turtle has a respiratory infection?
To treat a respiratory infections, raise the temperature of your turtle’s table or tank to 83-87*F (28-31*c). If your turtle is an aquatic species, check the water temp and make sure it is not too cold. If dampness is the issue, try using bedding material that is not as absorbent and provide better ventilation.
