Respiratory infections are a common health issue affecting box turtles in captivity. These infections if left untreated can progress into a serious and potentially fatal case of pneumonia. As box turtle owners, it’s crucial we understand what causes respiratory infections, how to identify symptoms early, and best practices for treatment and prevention. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your box turtle’s respiratory system healthy.
What Causes Respiratory Infections in Box Turtles?
There are several potential causes of respiratory infections in box turtles
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Incorrect temperatures – Box turtles are cold-blooded and rely on environmental temperatures to regulate their body temperature Prolonged exposure to temperatures that are too low can compromise their immune system and make them prone to infection. Always ensure the warm side of your box turtle’s enclosure stays between 75-80°F
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Improper humidity levels – Either too high or too low humidity can irritate a box turtle’s respiratory tract. Ideal humidity for a box turtle enclosure ranges from 60-80%.
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Dirty habitat – A buildup of waste, uneaten food, and nitrogenous compounds in the substrate and water can allow infectious bacteria to thrive. Spot clean daily and completely change out substrate every 2-4 weeks.
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Respiratory irritants – Dusty substrates, strong odors, air pollution, and smoke can all irritate a box turtle’s respiratory tract and allow infection to set in.
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Stress – Stress from improper housing, handling, or diet deficiencies can weaken a turtle’s immunity.
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Vitamin A deficiency – Lack of Vitamin A can cause respiratory infection along with other problems like eye and ear inflammation. Feed a varied diet rich in Vitamin A.
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Introduction of pathogens – Direct contact with already infected turtles or exposure to contaminated surfaces can spread pathogens that cause respiratory infections. Always quarantine new turtles.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Respiratory Infection
Early detection and treatment is key to curing respiratory infections in box turtles. Here are the most common symptoms to look out for:
- Discharge from the eyes, nose, or mouth
- Excessive sneezing or wheezing
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- “Chirping” vocalizations
- Open-mouth breathing
- Swollen eyes or ear abscesses (can indicate Vitamin A deficiency)
- Buoyancy issues and difficulty diving (if pneumonia has developed)
Symptoms of an upper respiratory infection usually involve the eyes, mouth, and nasal passages. Pneumonia affects the lungs and causes more systemic symptoms. Monitor your turtle closely for any of these signs of illness. Even subtle changes in behavior like reduced activity levels warrant a veterinary visit.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Infections
Only a qualified exotic veterinarian can definitively diagnose a respiratory infection in your box turtle. Through a physical exam, medical imaging, and laboratory culture of discharge samples, the vet will determine the underlying cause and best course of treatment.
For bacterial infections, antibiotic injections or oral medication may be prescribed. Nebulization therapy can help open up airways. Supportive care like intravenous or subcutaneous fluids will help recover hydration and strength.
Always finish the full course of any prescribed antibiotics to completely eradicate the infection. Isolate the sick turtle during treatment to prevent transmission. With prompt veterinary care, most cases of respiratory infection can be cured within a few weeks.
At-Home Supportive Care for Respiratory Infections
While waiting for your vet appointment, there are a few measures you can take at home to make your box turtle more comfortable:
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Increase temperatures – Raise the basking spot by 5°F to support immune function.
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Improve hygiene – Clean the habitat and increase ventilation. Avoid handling the turtle.
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Offer favorite foods – Getting nutrition is important, even if the appetite is depressed.
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Address possible vitamin deficiencies – Use Vitamin A supplements if deficiency is suspected.
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Reduce stress – Limit disturbance and maintain stable conditions.
These steps can potentially halt or slow the progression of mild respiratory infections when paired with professional veterinary oversight. Never attempt to self-medicate your turtles with human or pet antibiotics.
Preventing Respiratory Infections in Box Turtles
Stop respiratory infections before they ever start with these proactive care measures:
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Carefully control temperatures and humidity within ideal ranges.
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Choose a low-dust, unscented substrate like organic topsoil.
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Maintain excellent hygiene through partial water changes, spot cleaning, and monthly substrate changes.
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Ensure proper lighting and a varied diet to meet Vitamin A needs.
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Avoid overcrowding and quarantine new turtles for at least 30-45 days.
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Limit handling and interaction with other reptiles.
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Establish an annual wellness exam schedule with an exotic vet.
By replicating the box turtle’s natural habitat as closely as possible and feeding a nutritionally balanced diet, you can raise a healthy turtle free of respiratory infections. Monitor for any signs of illness and be prepared to get prompt veterinary care whenever issues arise. With attentive husbandry, regular vet visits, and quick response to symptoms, your beloved box turtle can enjoy decades of good respiratory health.
What are the signs of these diseases?
Fig. 1: Red-eared slider with severe metabolic bone disease (MBD). Photo courtesy of Gregory Rich, DVM.Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus due to an improper diet, lack of adequate ultraviolet (UV) light, or a combination of both. Signs of MBD in aquatic turtles are usually a misshapen shell or deformed bones in 1 or all 4 legs. Turtles affected by MBD will grow slowly and often never grow to full adult size.
Vitamin A deficiency (hypovitaminosis A) occurs when turtles are fed an inappropriate diet. Turtles that are fed iceberg lettuce, an all-meat diet, or a poor-quality commercial diet are most likely to develop hypovitaminosis A. Lack of vitamin A produces changes in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and in the mucus-producing glands and membranes lining the mouth, eyes, kidneys, and upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include a lack of appetite, lethargy, swelling of the eyelids (often with a pus-like discharge), swelling of the ear (due to the formation of an ear abscess), kidney failure, and/or chronic respiratory infections.
In turtles, most respiratory tract infections are caused by bacteria and are often secondary to vitamin A deficiency. Aquatic turtles also succumb to respiratory infections if their tank does not have proper water filtration to help cleanse the water from waste and bacterial growth. Turtles with respiratory infections may have excess mucus in their mouths (seen as bubbles in the mouth, nose, and eyes), nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, wheezing, extension of the neck to breathe, and open-mouth breathing or gasping.
If the infection is severe or if it spreads into the lungs, the turtle will generally develop pneumonia, which may be noted when the turtle tilts to the side while swimming. This tilt occurs because the diseased lung tissue is heavier than the regular lung tissue, and affects the turtle’s buoyancy.
Abscesses (infected, pus-filled swellings within a tissue of the body) appear as hard, tumor-like swellings anywhere on the skin or within the pets body. Reptile pus is usually thick and dry, with the texture and consistency of cottage cheese. Abscesses often develop in turtles’ ears or oral cavity, and they appear as large swellings on the sides of the head, just behind the eyes or on the roof of the mouth. Abscesses in turtles’ ears and oral cavity are often related to vitamin A deficiency.
Shell infections (also known as shell rot) are often encountered in turtles and are caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites. These infections are often secondary to trauma, burns, or bites. Some of these infections can penetrate deep into the layers of the shell, causing ulcers, pitting of the shell, or extension into the bone below. The outer layer of the shell (keratin) protects the living bone underneath; the shell provides important protection for the inner organs located beneath the shell.
Gastrointestinal parasites, such as roundworms and protozoa, are common in pet turtles. In many cases, parasitic infections do not cause any clinical signs. Intestinal parasites can be detected on a routine fecal examination by your turtle’s veterinarian. With severe infection, parasites may cause diarrhea or weight loss and may require treatment.
What are some of the common diseases of pet turtles?
Common conditions of pet aquatic turtles include metabolic bone disease, vitamin A deficiency, respiratory diseases, abscesses, shell infections, shell fractures, and parasites.
Respiratory Infection in Turtles: Symptoms and home treatment
FAQ
How do you treat a respiratory infection in a turtle?
Unfortunately, when a turtle has a respiratory infection, there isn’t a lot you can do on your own. No human medications are safe for turtles. A prescription antibiotic called Baytril is usually given. Such infections can be contagious, but are not extremely so.
Can a tortoise respiratory infection go away on its own?
This is a condition that requires treatment and will not go away on its own. If symptoms are evident, please make an appointment with a veterinarian familiar with tortoise care.
How do you treat a reptile respiratory infection?
Broad-spectrum antimicrobials recommended for the treatment of reptile respiratory disease include amikacin, enrofloxacin, ceftazidime, and piperacillin because the majority of respiratory infections are caused by Gram-negative organisms. Anaerobic infections are most often treated with metronidazole (Table 1).
What causes a box turtle to get a respiratory infection?
In turtles, most respiratory tract infections are caused by either mycoplasma (a type of bacteria) or bacterial infection secondary to a viral infection. The most common viral infection in box turtles is caused by an alphaherpesvirus. Respiratory infections are often secondary to vitamin A deficiency, as well.
How does Bordetella pertussis bacteria move?
Pertussis is conveyed through respiratory droplets and can be communicated by coughing, sneezing, or sharing breathing space for long periods of time. During the catarrhal stage, the risk of transmission is greatest. Asymptomatic infection may aid in the spread of infection among household contacts.
How do I know if my box turtle has a respiratory infection?
The vet will perform a number of tests on your box turtle to identify respiratory infection. They may do an X-Ray to look for visible damage to the lungs while taking a discharge sample for testing. Depending on the severity of the respiratory infection, antibiotics may be administered.
Can box turtles get pneumonia?
Respiratory infections in box turtles can quickly turn into pneumonia, which can be fatal if not treated quickly. If you notice that your pet is not interested in food or is showing signs of respiratory infection, you want to ensure you have a treatment plan in place as quickly as possible to get your pet back on the road to recovery.
Do turtles have respiratory infections?
Respiratory infections are often secondary to vitamin A deficiency, as well. Turtles with respiratory infections may have excess mucus in their mouths (seen as bubbles in the mouth, nose, and eyes), nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, wheezing, extension of the neck to breathe, and open-mouth breathing or gasping.
How to prevent Turtle respiratory infection?
To prevent turtle respiratory infection, keep the temperature within the safe range for your turtle species, avoid exposing the turtle habitat to cool air or weather for extended periods, and wash hands before and after handling turtles or anything in their environment to prevent the spread of germs.