General Care Discussion :: Wheezing! Is it a Respiratory Infection?

[Gomek753]

My RES has started wheezing quite often, he does it mainly when surfacing for some air. He is a little over 6'' long, about three years old, and is overall very active and swims and eats normally, like you wouldn't even think he is sick. He is in a spacious, 120 gallon tank with a water temp. that stays around 78-82 Fahrenheit, with a basking temp. of 85-91 Fahrenheit. He is provided UVB from a Zoo Med Repti Sun 5.0 (linear fluorescent tube, not the coil version) and he gets calcium w/Vitamin D3 and Herptivite regularly (calcium 2 times a week, Herptivite 2 times a week). He also gets a good amount of varied fruits and veggies everyday. His tank is a little dirty but I haven't had time to clean it.

Please help!

[mike hill]

Go-53 -- I am not sure about the wheezing, but I have two suggestions: 1- I would lower the water temp to about 77 degrees and 2 - I would feed every other day. I try and keep my basking temp as close as I can at 90 to 91 degrees. Make sure your uvb light is replaced al least once a year. They get weaker with age. Good Luck!

[LilTurtSquirt]

[marisa]

I've heard of some keepers' RES making wheezing or whistling sounds when surfacing for air, the cause of which didn't seem to be known. Is he overweight? Are his nostrils open and clear?

I'd lower the water temp a bit (more like to 75F), assuming he's healthy. And given that you say he gets a variety of fruit and veggies daily (any pellets, etc.?), I'd lighten up on the supplements a bit (once a week rather than twice a week, for example).

You say he's otherwise fine---it's always good to be alert in case any other symptoms develop.

[Gomek753]

I feed him small amounts of apple, cantaloupe, carrot, strawberry, and watermelon (a different fruit each day). For his commercial diet I feed him Wardley Reptile Sticks. I don't think he is overweight because he can tuck all of his legs in his shell at once. And yes, his nostrils are open and clear.

But I live in Volusia County, FL, and there are no good reptile vets around. One time, I took him to one to get mineral deposit of off his shell and the guy wanted to give him large amounts of Ivermectin and other turtle-dangerous drugs.

[LilTurtSquirt]

[Gomek753]

Well, I cleaned his tank and have started feeding a bit more carrot slices. He has stopped wheezing more often, but still is doing it. He is still wide awake and alert.

[LilTurtSquirt]

[Gomek753]

No, swimming is just fine.

[Gomek753]

Anybody here? He's still wheezing.

[marisa]

Since you said your turtle mainly does it for surfacing for air, it could be that he's either a little overweight or it's something with his anatomy. If there are no other symptoms, keep an eye on him. If you're really concerned, it would be good to consult with a herp vet.

[Gomek753]

I don't think he is overweight because when I pick him up, he tucks in his shell perfectly. I thought that if a turtle was overweight, they didn't have any room to tuck everything in?

[Diamondbacks4Life]

If its only wheezing when surfacing you should be okay. Its when the wheezing doesnt stop when its basks your in trouble.

When my pained had RI he would wheez when he was basking but made no noise while in the water.

[marisa]

Then it could just be something with his particular anatomy.