General Care Discussion :: water coming out of mouth while being outside of the water?

[insane]

hi, when i let my turtle out, sometimes she would open her mouth just a little then theres water coming out, any other reasons other than RI? i just took her to the vet not so long ago, vet said she was fine

[TheComputerGremlin]

It might be nothing more than when you grab her, she opens her mouth and gets water in it. It would only be an RI if it was mucus, rather than water, so it would be slimey. I wouldn't worry about it if the vet said she's okay. You might want to not handle her too frequently, or take her out more slowly so she doesn't get water in her mouth on the way out.

[insane]

It might be nothing more than when you grab her, she opens her mouth and gets water in it. It would only be an RI if it was mucus, rather than water, so it would be slimey. I wouldn't worry about it if the vet said she's okay. You might want to not handle her too frequently, or take her out more slowly so she doesn't get water in her mouth on the way out.

can you please explain more on the mucus/slimy part, after reading your answer i went to check on her and she had some water around her mouth so i touched the water on my finger and i felt it, it wasnt really slimy, it was like saliva material like how ours is like...when i try to see if its slimy with two fingers sometimes it stretches like how our saliva would ( sorry for bad explaination )

[Rosepruner]

yeah, that's a bad sign, because turtles don't have saliva glands, so it's mucus, which can definately mean an RI, I'd take her to another vet if you can and get a second opinnion.

[TurtleMania]

is she whistling when she comes up for air or swimming weird? she could just have a cold and needs her water temp checked but the whistling is a really bad sign, went through that with Roy and it was quite costly even though the other 2 were fine. My lil one, Orc, sneezed & had mucus but he just had a cold... warming his water temp and making sure he ate did wonders with not one vet visit!--- thanks to the advice I got on this site.

[insane]

is she whistling when she comes up for air or swimming weird? she could just have a cold and needs her water temp checked but the whistling is a really bad sign, went through that with Roy and it was quite costly even though the other 2 were fine. My lil one, Orc, sneezed & had mucus but he just had a cold... warming his water temp and making sure he ate did wonders with not one vet visit!--- thanks to the advice I got on this site.

YES she does whistle! i hear her doing that all the time when her heads out of the water or in the water, i searched that up on this site but someone said it was like she needed a mate or something??

for the water temp, before i used to keep it warm around 80-82 because i wasnt really sure about temps, but now i've lowered it to 72-75, maybe shes not used to it? and you mentioned the sneezing part, i think that would be when she opens her mouth a little and water comes out of her mouth and nose ( when outside of the water )

she eats fine, and i've warmed up the water temp, today when she was out, i caught her doing the popping sound with her mouth open twice in a row, so i dont think just upping the temp would help her get better, i will take her to the vet again, but before i do, i'll give that same vet a call to see what he has to say about my turtles conditions.

if my turtle did the popping sound with her mouth open, that would mean RI for sure right? and i dont have much vets around me..i'll try seeing another one after hearing what the last one has to say. thanks everyone

[SpotsMama]

I think you are right to be concerned and getting a second opinion from a vet is a good idea. Find a herp vet - one who is knowledgeable about reptiles. It will make all the difference in the world. The whisteling sound has nothing to do with her wanting a mate. Turtles usually don't make sounds when they breath. If they do, it's probably because they are having to force air in and out through narrowed passages.

Get her in as soon as you can. If she does have an RI, early treatment will give her the best chance of recovery. It's hard to say for sure whether it's RI or something else, or maybe something minor that will pass soon. Only a qualified vet can say for sure - but the symptoms you are describing could be RI.

It's very good that she's eating. If she loses her appetite before you get in to see the vet, you can offer her things you'd normally only let her have as treats, like tuna or shrimp or boiled chicken.

In the meantime, raise the temps up to 80 degrees. It will stimulate her immune system. Also, give her plenty of peace and quiet - don't pick her up unless you have to. Keep her water extra clean.

Good luck! Keep us posted on how it goes.