General Care Discussion :: Is this a respiratory disease?!

[zilch]

Soo.. I read somewhere(or rather everywhere) that if you turtle looks like he;'s yawning when he's not in water, that it probably means that he's got troubles breathing..

So I'm really not sure bout my turtle at the moment, he does open his mouth quite a lot out of water, but he doesn't look like he's yawning.. he's just got his mouth open a little bit and the bottom of his throat puffs out sinultaneously when he does this..

could this be why he hasn't been eating a lot?

or does he have somethign else?

[SpotsMama]

Could be RI. Some of the symptoms are breathing with the mouth open, trouble breathing, lethargy (un-energetic), poor or no appetite, mucus around the nose, swollen eyes. The turtle doesn't have to show all these symptoms to be ill.

Is he eating a little but just not as much as usual? Or has he stopped eating altogether?

[zilch]

he's eaten a bit, but only the salmon from 2 days ago.. he won't even eat his favorite red pellet

no swollen eyes or mucus though..I don't know if he's actually trying to breath through his mouth..

um.. but he did look like he was yawining a few minutes ago, and he suddenly shot his head into his shell for some reason..

:S

if it is RI though..

[zilch]

and for the energetic bit.. he's been basking a lot I guess?
and again.. he's not yawning..

he actuakly looks like he's trying to swallow something with his mouth open..

[SpotsMama]

If not RI, something else is not quite right. Do you know a good herp vet?

[zilch]

nope.. I called a local vet though.. thoguh the guys not sure if he knows how to handle turtles..

he's scratching his face an awful lot too

[SpotsMama]

A turtle who's eyes are bothering him will scratch his face.

In your other post I put a couple of links that may help you. If your vet doesn't really know about turtles maybe he/she knows someone who does.

[zilch]

THANK YOU for the links and I'll keep asking around too.. in the meanwhile, I've also put up a video lol

I hope he's okay :S

and again.. thanks for all the help1

[SpotsMama]

Oh I hope he's ok too! Good luck and keep us posted. We're pulling for you!

[zilch]

thanks!!!!!

[rocketright]

Gloria, I can get you a suitable herp vet for turtles, where do you live? I know some that are very good, just your state or city, don't bring it to a normal vet, you need a professional herp vet!