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My turtle has been sneezing lately and it looks like mucus is coming out of his mouth, im very worried that hes going to die Is he sick because his water isnt at 78 degrees?

He's about 9 months old.

I dont know what to do. should i take him to a vet?

Yikes! You should definitely take him to the vet, as soon as you can. If you water is too cold that could have made him suceptible to RI. By the way, you need to re-size your avatar.

I agree with octpusgirl8 - it's time to get him to the vet ASAP. There are several possibilities as to what's wrong. The most likely is a respiratory infection.

How is he behaving? Any change in energy level? Appetite?

The water temp for a healthy turtle under 4" long should be about 78 degrees. For a sick turtle, it should be increased to 80 or 82 degrees. The higher temp stimulates the turtle's immune system.

Do you have a water heater?

Get him to a vet immediately. I think I would even consider going to an emergency vet if they have a vet there wo knows turtles. I would definitely boost the water to about 82.

Sammy, I sent you an email. You do need a vet ASAP, I'd start looking here: http://www.tortoise.org/general/vetlist.html

more listed here: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=370

It looks like advanced stages of RI. Vet is the order of the day. Put water at 80 to 81 degrees and basking at 90 to 91 degrees. I am sure that the vet will put him on antibiotics-- Good Luck

Was a herp vet found for the turtle?

in case anybody looks on here again, Sammy is doing just fine now! Hes a lot happier and healthier now Hes eating a lot more and swimming more.

did you go to the vet?

no i didnt take him to a vet because i didnt have any money at the time. i didnt have a heat lamp for him either, but i got one for him and thats what made him better.

p.s. im really not a bad owner, i havent mistreated him or anything like that, just in case everyone thinks i am because i luv him very much

i dont think that im glad he is doing better

Sam--07 Do you have a uvb lighting? Along with they will need the uvb also. Check on your water temps and basking temps. Good Luck !!

Do be careful---added warmth will help a turtle fight infection, but if the infection is not killed off completely, it's likely to come back and antibiotics would be necessary. Keep your eyes out for returning symptoms (like the mucus in the pics above, open mouth breathing, wheezing, etc.). I hope he's over the infection.