General Care Discussion :: Loud Breathing.

[pajamatree]

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19069&highlight=

I was reading this post and was wondering - what is RI?

Sometimes when my turtle pokes her head out to breath she breaths really loudly and I can hear her breathing.

Is this normal?

[ScrewZoo]

Its Respiratory Infection. That could be a symptom of RI. (Which usually leads to death) It is when turtles get water in their lungs from drowning, I also heard having strong winds in your room while their basking could lead to it.

ation clipped from Health / Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections (RI) are common and deadly illnesses that affect many captive turtles. It is a contagious illness that can spread to other turtles and often requires medical attention. Improper basking and water temperatures as well as exposure to drafts and breezes greatly increase the chances of contracting RI. There are varying degrees of RI, including pneumonia, and the symptoms may also differ.

The most obvious symptom that can signal RI is if a RES is listing. Listing refers to swimming in an irregular manner, such as swimming in circles, unevenly or lopsided and even swimming upside down. Listing is caused by fluid in the lungs; more specifically, if fluid exists in one lung or there is more fluid in one lung than the other. Your RES requires immediate veterinary assistance if they exhibit this symptom. They may have RI but not this symptom. The sooner that they are examined, the better the chance they can recover. They would likely be administered Baytril or another anti-infective. A vitamin injection, antibiotics and an x-ray may also be used or suggested.

There are other possible symptoms that can signal RI, especially if they occur frequently. These may include breathing difficulties, coughing, sneezing, open mouth, yawning, wheezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, mucus from the nose (runny) or mouth and bubbling at the nose and mouth. If your RES exhibits any of these symptoms, then raising temperatures, quarantine and a water change would be the immediate actions to take. Ambient air temperature and water temperature should be raised 10 degrees F. Eliminate any drafts and cold air around the tank. Pneumonia may develop which in many cases is fatal. If your RES continues to exhibit a symptom or develops more, then consult with a qualified vet immediately.

See if your turtle has any of those symptoms, if so your turtle might have RI.

[pajamatree]

no, everything else about her is ok. she's not showing any of those symptoms, just the loud breathing. is that something to worry about?


and thanks for the post screwhead

[untsmurf]

Does she do it when you're around? Or can you hear her when you're across the room?

Generally, if you pick up a turtle and it huffs/hisses at you, it's saying it doesn't want you to mess with it. But if you're nowhere around and here it from across the room, that might not be a good thing.

[pajamatree]

It's not a huff or hiss. I'll be sitting on my bed on the other side of the room, mind you - it isn't a big room - and when she comes up to breathe, I can hear her perfectly. Just like a loud breathing. It only happens when she breaths out though - and she's been doing it for a VERY long time, my other turtles used to do it too - so I always thought it was normal - but now I'm not so sure.

[steve]

How big is the turtle? My RES can make a noticeable breathing noise, especially when surfacing from a long swim.

[pajamatree]

About 8 inches.