General Care Discussion :: possible ri

Taking care of your turtle's overall health.

Post Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:02 pm   possible ri

Hi guys,

Just wanted some input, as it's been quite a while since I've had to deal with a respiratory infection and I don't want to overreact or worse, miss something I should be doing that I've forgotten about!

For about 4 days, every time Napoleon surfaces to take a breath, his first few exhalations are squeaky. He makes sort of a rhythmic whistling sound. He does not seem to be struggling for breath, although he seems to be coming to the surface more frequently during his active periods.

The sound is similar to the sound that Hercules made when we first got him, which did not go away after treatment for RI, but only after he lost a bit of weight. I noticed this morning that Napoleon is actually looking a little pudgy, so I will have to cut back on his pellets. Hopefully it's nothing more than this. Still, I caught him yawning on his dock once yesterday, and the air temperature in my apartment has been dropping at night (generally around 68 ). So I'm not sure if I'm unjustified in worrying.

I've raised his water temperature to 80 from 76, and I've turned on my space heater to keep the nighttime air temperature from dropping below 70. Is there anything I'm forgetting that I can do here at home? Any particularly nutritious foods to boost his immune system?

Of course I'll take him to the vet if necessary (and thankfully I've got a good herp vet here), I just wanted to get opinions from those of you with some more experience before putting him through the stress of travel and treatment.

Thank you!
Napoleon - Western Painted Turtle
Apollo - Eastern Box Turtle
Moxie - Painted Turtle Mutt
RIP Hercules

Katie

I heart my herpies!
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Starchick
 
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Post Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:19 am   

Sometimes when they're pudgy they wheeze a bit when they've been exerting themselves. I notice Frankie will let out a big breath and wheezes a bit. Even Ralph, who's fit as a fiddle, wheezes when he comes up for a breath if he's been begging hard.
Neither of them wheeze when they're basking or at rest though.

Sounds like you've got your bases covered, and you know the signs of RI. I would just keep an eye on him, and if you see any other strange behaviour it might be a good idea to take him to the vet.
­Ralpheal, "The 'L' is silent."
Frankie, "Young at heart."
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BullDog
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Post Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 5:41 pm   

I agree with BullDog here. Just keep an eye on them for now :)
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steve
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