General Care Discussion :: Do turtles sneeeze?

[lileeli]

It seems to that these past few days one of my turtle either yawns excessively or is sneezing. It's mouth just seems to open and air gushes out of it making bubbles in the water. Do turtles sneeze? Is it ok?

[steve]

Sneezing would not be normal. Does it make bubbles as soon as it goes into the water? Maybe it's adjusting to the being in the water.

[lileeli]

no not as soon as it goe in the water. it does it when its in the ater already for a long time. at first i thought it was just a yawn, but it did it more than once and it started to sound more like sneeze. all i see is it opening its mouth and air gushing out from its mouth. it does that at least once a day. other turtles yawn too but something is just different about this one. is it something serious?

[steve]

Hard to say if its something "serious" but if it's just the head jerking a little, I can't imagine it to be a symptom of something.

[lileeli]

i mean other than that weird gesture there really isnt anything wrong. it's appetite is fine, it's basking and sleeping fine and the water temp is at 74 and it's moderately active as always...
i thought that because i have a small heating lamp on it can't sleep well and causes it to yawn because its sleepy so i turned it off and it slept but the yawn or sneeze didn't go away...

[steve]

Any chance you would be able to get a video of it?

[lileeli]

ok now this is totally not normal, its starting to get this dark bruised looking spot on its shell and it swimming lopsided...i think its time for me to take it to a vet...how much is a visit anyways?

[kukie]

Yes red eared sliders do sneeze inside and outside water .
one of my turtles started sneezing in and outside water, we took her 2 the doctor n he said tht these are the signes that the turtle has cold due to cold water which she was staying in and concsuming the cold water which could have affected her throat and could be the cause of her sneezing . and as it was winter the cold water could have affected her more .
So we started filling the tank with luke warm water and thats how she got well.

[steve]

A bump up in the water temperatures would be a good idea. Can you post a picture of the dark spot?

Vet costs will vary, though most cost around $50-75 just for the visit.

[lileeli]

ok, i will boost the temp up to 80...

yea i made an appointment to the animal center in NY, they said that just for the examination its $100 and the med is extra...man they charge steep...

[richieboy]

You could try calling around. I'm in NY and a visit was $44, my turtle's all better now too.

[steve]

The whitish spots could be fungus or mineral deposits. They can have a similar appearance. The dark areas might be an infection, people occasionally post similar issues with their hatchlings, but rarely follow up. I think improvements in lighting, basking and water quality helps greatly.

I've heard good things about The Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine on 568 Columbus Avenue.

[lileeli]

You could try calling around. I'm in NY and a visit was $44, my turtle's all better now too.

where did you go to?

[lileeli]

The white spots doesnt seem to be fungus since it doesn't have any characteristics of fungus (no smell, no fluffy stuff, no spreading), it most likely is mineral deposit, but i can't seem to be able to get rid of it. i brush its shell every month using a soft toothbrush.

an infection sound really serious, but i think you are right because that is the side that it tilts to when it swims, sigh my poor pudgy

the avian and exotic center charge the same according to one of the reviewers, $100 walk-in fee and extra for meds. and there were some reviewers that said their RES died 2 hours after receiving anitbiotic shots from them so i have my doubts...but is that a possibilty that my pudgy can die?????

also i found something new, i found this white mucusy looking stuff after it goes to the bathroom, should i be worried? INFECTION?!

[steve]

Shell fungus won't smell or appear fluffy. How it spreads varies (there appears to be different strains) and at different rates. Mineral deposits should make the entire shell duller, not just in selective areas.

The exam would mostly be observation, so I think a lot of keepers become disappointed with that experience (and the cost). I don't know what happened with the one whose RES died, there are probably important details missing. There are problems with vitamin injections, which some believe is recommended too often.

How much of that "mucusy" stuff is being produced?