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Hi, I have 2 RES, both seem to be very happy & healthy.. I've had them since July 09. I'm kind of worried about my biggest one (about 3 1/2 inches now) though. When I take her out of the water, sometimes it sounds like she's wheezing when she opens her mouth - (she opens her mouth when I take her out of the tank because she tries to bite me, but other than that she keeps her mouth closes). She's been like that for a few months. There is no foaming or mucus or bubbles or anything. She eats perfectly normal and swims and basks fine. My water temp is around 77 F I believe. I do not have a submersible heater but I will be getting one asap, and I have so far managed to keep temp between 75-80. Please tell me if you think my turtle has an RI or if I'm doing anything wrong. I really don't have the money for a vet visit. Thank you.

Does it look like she's coughing?? If so i would recommend taking her to a vet because its most likely RI. Good luck

-freshprince

Nope, just sounds like heavy breathing. It doesn't last too long.

L-Z I would suggest that you keep the temp at a constant temp. 77 to 78 for normal temp should be fine. If you are taking the turtles out for recreation is not a good idea. They cool off very quickley and then back in the water. Turtles are not cheap and by the time you purchase the tank, filter, uva and uvb light, heater it can get expensive.

Well, it could be just the turtle forcing air out quickly because it's being lifted.
It's a sign of surprise or stress.

i know this is an old thread, really old, but i was wondering if Kemul is right? If everything is all okay, and they just make noise when scared or surprised?

Turtles do make a hissing sound when they're startled. It happens when the head is pulled quickly back into the shell, which forces the air out of the lungs to make room for it, resulting in the hissing sound.

Kemul wrote:Well, it could be just the turtle forcing air out quickly because it's being lifted.
It's a sign of surprise or stress.

that is most likely what it is. My turtles do the exact same time I pick them up. Its like the quick decent up changes the pressure in there small body's making them push out air quicker or they are not ready for the pick up and it scares them and they do it as a defence? iv alwasy woundered what it was aswell but I know its not a sickness considering my turtles are SUPER active and very healthy looking as of this moment. Iv noticed its more common in the larger RES tho. My RES didnt do it till they got much bigger or I just could not hear it as they were babys,

well my turt is about six months. I can hear it when my movement scares him or I pick him up. But that is only when I'm cleaning his tank of course. When he is just wandering around the house i don't hear it. I don't hear it when he is basking or anytime else. So that must be it. Just scared though, I would never want my baby Niko to get sick!