Common Illnesses and How to Prevent Them
A listing of common illnesses aquatic turtles face and some advice on how to prevent them in your turtles.
Important Warning
If your turtle has any of the symptoms of these diseases or is acting strangely, take it to your local exotic pet vet!
General Prevention
Here are three things that you can do to help prevent some of these diseases:
- Clean the tank routinely
- Completely change the water at least twice a month
- Feed your turtle a balanced diet
Shell Rot
Also known as Ulcerative Shell Disease.
Symptoms
- Soft spots on the shell
- Abnormal peeling of scutes (sections of the shell)
- Abnormal shell growth
Causes
- Poor water quality
- Overall unclean conditions.
Treatments:
Visit your vet if you suspect your turtle may have Shell Rot. Treatments can include scrubbing the shell daily with with a special antimicrobial soap, and enforcing time out of water to dry the shell out. For severe cases a vetrinarian might prescribe antibiotics for your turtles.
Prevention
Clean your turtle's habitat routinely.
Respiratory Infections
Symptoms
- Swimming off balance or tilted
- Bubbles from the nose
- Audible Wheezing
- Descreased appetite
- Lethargy
Causes
- Poor water quality
- Stress
- Insufficient heating
- Improper Nutrition
Treatments:
Visit your vet! Treatments include antibiotics.
Prevention
Clean your turtle's habitat routinely. Ensure you have enough heating and a good basking area!
Ear Infections
Symptoms
- Swelling of the ears
- Decreased Apetite
- Discharge from the Ear
- Lethargy
Causes
- Vitamin A Deficiency
- Water Contamination
Treatments
Visit your vet! Treatments include antibiotics, draining the ear, and supplementing with vitamin A.
Prevention
Clean your turtle's habitat routinely. Ensure you have a good basking area and ensure they eat a good diet.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Also known as hypovitaminosis A.
Symptoms
- Swelling of the eyes
Causes
- Poor diet
Treatments:
A vet may administer an emergency vitamin A dosage and recommend a supplement.
Prevention
Ensure your turtle gets all the nutrients they need.