General Care Discussion :: My turtle is making mewing sounds...normal?

[car06]

I have a baby slider, and lately he has been making noises that sound like a cat mewing. Sometimes it sounds like chirping. Is it because he is sick?

Thanks
-Carly

[SpotsMama]

Usually when a turtle is make those noises it's a sign of a respiratory infection. Have you noticed any other symptoms - lethargy (tired, maybe wanting to bask all the time), poor appetite, swollen or irritated eyes, swimming tilted, mucus around the nose or mouth? Has he been breathing with his mouth open or yawning a lot?

I've heard that sometimes healthy turtles make noises but it's unusual.

[mikee]

Yes: They will make noise while breathing out of their noses just before they get sick. Their noses are trying to get stopped up and they make a wheezing noise trying to breathe. You may have an unusual turtle. Has he been doing it all along?

[marisa]

What kind of set-up do you have him in and what are the temps (water and basking area)?

Does he have any other symptoms? Is he eating well and is he active?

[car06]

Well he isn't lethargic, swimming crooked, no swollen eyes or mucus around the nose, and he has a very healthy appetite. He actually never basks though, is that unusual? The water temp is about 73 degrees and the basking area is probably 85 degrees.

The sounds began about 2 weekes ago, and I've probably changed his water like 5 times because I thought maybe the water was making him sick. How often should the rocks be changed?

Thank you
-Carly

[marisa]

A baby/hatchling should really have the water warmer than 73F, it should be more like 78F, and for yours, I might even go a degree or two higher for a bit, just in case that sound is the start of something. The basking area should be warmer too, more like 90F. btw, "probably" tells me you aren't checking with a thermometer. You need to check the temps with a thermometer to be sure. Get a submersible water heater if your turtle doesn't have one.

I don't know what you mean by changing the rocks...

[car06]

Okay, thanks. I do have a submersible water heater. I don't have a thermometer though. So I'll get one.