Priya Kapoor
Painted turtles can make unique and fun companions, but they are susceptible to a range of illnesses and diseases. It can be difficult to spot the signs of sickness in turtles, and by the time you do, the illness may have progressed. Some common illnesses in turtles include metabolic bone disease, vitamin A deficiency, respiratory infections, abscesses, shell infections, and parasites. If you suspect your painted turtle is sick, it is important to act quickly and seek veterinary advice. This guide will help you identify some of the key signs that your painted turtle may be unwell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Loss of appetite | Stop eating |
| Change in appearance | Shell rot, discoloured, stinky, pus-filled |
| Behavioural changes | Swimming erratically, lethargy, sluggishness |
| Difficulty breathing | Bubbles around nose, wheezing, nasal discharge, sneezing, labouring breath |
| Other | Foaming at mouth, yawning, squinting, weight loss, diarrhoea |
| Treatment | Veterinary care, force-feeding, fluid therapy, antibiotics, surgery, UV light, calcium supplements |
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What You'll Learn
Common illnesses and diseases
Painted turtles, like all living organisms, can become ill and fall prey to various diseases. Some of the most common illnesses and diseases in aquatic turtles include metabolic bone disease (MBD), vitamin A deficiency, respiratory infections, abscesses, shell infections, shell fractures, parasites, and Salmonella infection.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): This condition is caused by an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the turtle's diet, a lack of adequate ultraviolet (UV) light, or a combination of both. Signs of MBD include misshapen shell, deformed bones in one or all four legs, slow growth, and a failure to reach full adult size.
Vitamin A Deficiency: This is often the result of an inappropriate diet, such as feeding turtles iceberg lettuce, an all-meat diet, or a poor-quality commercial diet. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to changes in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and the mucus-producing glands and membranes lining the mouth. It can also cause abscesses in the ears and oral cavity. Treatment involves oral or injectable vitamin A supplementation under veterinary supervision, as an overdose of vitamin A can occur.
Respiratory Infections: These are often bacterial infections and may be indicated by nasal discharge, squinting eyes, and in severe cases, pneumonia. Pneumonia can cause the turtle to tilt to one side while swimming due to the increased weight of the diseased lung tissue.
Abscesses: These are infected, pus-filled swellings within the body tissue. Reptile pus is typically thick and dry, resembling cottage cheese. Abscesses often develop in the ears or oral cavity, appearing as large swellings behind the eyes or on the roof of the mouth. Treatment involves surgical drainage and flushing of the affected tissue, followed by topical and/or oral or injectable antibiotics.
Shell Infections and Fractures: Shell infections, also known as shell rot, are caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites. They can lead to discolouration, odour, and pus-filled lesions on the shell. Shell fractures can occur due to trauma, such as being hit by a car.
Parasites: Numerous internal parasites can affect aquatic turtles, often impacting the digestive tract, circulatory system, liver, and kidneys.
Salmonella Infection: Turtles can carry Salmonella bacteria asymptomatically, but it can be transmitted to humans, especially children, causing gastrointestinal illness.
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Signs and symptoms
It can be difficult to notice symptoms when your painted turtle is sick, and an illness may have progressed by the time you start to see any signs. However, here are some of the signs and symptoms of a sick painted turtle:
Behavioural Changes
A change in behaviour could be a sign that your painted turtle is sick. For example, your painted turtle may be lethargic and spend most of its time in one spot. Alternatively, it may be swimming erratically in the water.
Loss of Appetite
Turtles love to eat, so a turtle that has lost its appetite could be very ill. If your painted turtle is refusing to eat, this could be a sign of sickness.
Respiratory Issues
Respiratory issues are a common problem for turtles. Turtles with respiratory infections may have excess mucus in their mouths (seen as bubbles in the mouth, nose, and eyes), nasal discharge, wheezing, extension of the neck to breathe, and open-mouth breathing or gasping. If your painted turtle is experiencing any of these symptoms, it could be a sign of a respiratory infection.
Shell Issues
Issues with your painted turtle's shell could be a sign of sickness. For example, discoloured, stinky, or pus-filled shells could indicate an infection or shell rot. Additionally, misshapen shells could be a sign of metabolic bone disease, which is an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus due to an improper diet or lack of adequate ultraviolet (UV) light.
Other Symptoms
Other potential signs and symptoms of sickness in painted turtles include sunken eyes, rotten skin, or limp legs. If you notice any deviation from your painted turtle's normal behaviour or appearance, it is best to consult a veterinarian who works with reptiles.
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How to provide care at home
Painted turtles are popular pets due to their colourful markings and relatively low-maintenance needs. However, they are still a massive responsibility to care for and can live up to 40 years.
If your painted turtle is sick, it needs medical attention. Locate a veterinarian that is familiar with reptiles and specifically turtles. In the meantime, there are some ways to provide care at home.
Firstly, it is important to keep your turtle warm. Think about how we wrap ourselves in blankets when we are sick as our body temperature lowers. The same goes for turtles; they need warmth when they are unwell. Sunlight is also important as it provides them with Vitamin D3, an essential vitamin for their health.
If your turtle is not eating, a turtle sulfa block can provide important vitamins and minerals. You should also change the water twice a day to wash away any bacteria seeping from their nose and mouth. Ensure the water is at the right temperature; if it is too cold, this could be the reason your turtle is not eating as it may be preparing itself for hibernation.
If your turtle's eyes are squinting, the water needs to be cleaned or changed to non-chlorinated water, as the toxic chlorine could be irritating its eyes. If your turtle is not moving much, it could be because it is overfed, or it may desperately need to get out of the water.
If your turtle is swimming erratically, this could be a sign of a bacterial infection. Bubbles around its nose, yawning, and lethargy are also indicators of a lung infection.
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When to seek veterinary help
It can be challenging to identify the signs of illness in turtles, and an illness may have progressed by the time symptoms become apparent. Therefore, it is crucial to act quickly and seek veterinary help as soon as possible. Here are some signs and symptoms that indicate you should take your painted turtle to a veterinarian:
Respiratory issues
Respiratory tract infections are common in turtles and are often caused by bacteria. Signs of a respiratory infection include bubbles around the nose and mouth, nasal discharge, wheezing, sneezing, laboured breathing, and lethargy. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the lungs, leading to pneumonia. Pneumonia can be identified by the turtle tilting to one side while swimming due to the increased weight of the diseased lung tissue. Respiratory infections can be life-threatening, so immediate veterinary care is necessary.
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Turtles love to eat, so a loss of appetite could indicate a serious health issue. It could be a sign of vitamin A deficiency, which is common in turtles fed an inappropriate diet, such as iceberg lettuce, an all-meat diet, or poor-quality commercial feed. Lack of vitamin A affects the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and the mucus-producing glands and membranes lining the mouth and eyes. Weight loss could also indicate a parasitic infection, which is common in turtles and can be treated by a veterinarian.
Shell issues
Inspect your turtle's shell for any signs of infection, such as discolouration, odour, or pus-filled lesions. Shell infections can be challenging to treat and may require microscopic analysis, culture identification, and appropriate medications. If you notice any shell fractures, a veterinarian may be able to repair them if the fractures are fresh and the turtle is in good nutritional health.
Behavioural changes
Erratic swimming, lethargy, or a lack of movement could indicate a bacterial infection or other health issues. Squinting eyes may indicate irritation due to dirty water or chlorine in tap water. If your turtle is swimming frantically, it could be a sign of a lung infection, as one lung may be filled with fluid.
Other concerns
If you notice any other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, sunken eyes, rotten skin, or limp legs, difficulty breathing, seek veterinary help immediately. Additionally, if you suspect your turtle has ingested foreign material, such as toys, an emergency trip to the veterinarian is necessary.
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How to prevent illness
Painted turtles can make good pets, but they have very specific needs that require particular equipment to meet. As such, it is important to know how to properly care for them to prevent illness.
Firstly, turtles need a clean enclosure with a good filtration system. A minimum 50-gallon tank is required for an adult turtle, with larger tanks needed if you have more than one turtle. Most of the enclosure should be filled with water, allowing them to swim at least four to five times their body length across and twice their body length in depth. The water should be changed regularly—at least 20% of the water should be changed weekly, removing no more than 50% to keep healthy microbes in the environment. The temperature of the water is also important; if it is too cold, your turtle may not eat as it prepares for hibernation.
Turtles also need access to light and heat sources. As well as a heat lamp, they need multiple types of UV rays: UVA to help regulate their natural behaviours, and UVB to help them absorb calcium and vitamin D3. Turtles need 8-10 hours of UVB exposure a day, and the UVB bulb should be half the length of the enclosure.
A balanced diet will also help to reduce the chance of illness in painted turtles. They are omnivores, so they need to eat a balanced diet of both plant- and animal-based foods. Feed them a variety of insects and worms, and gradually add in more healthy plant foods as they age. Calcium blocks can be added to their tanks for mineral supplementation, and vitamin A is an important supplement that they may also need.
Finally, turtles should have access to places where they can hide from view, and they should be given enough space to avoid overcrowding.
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Frequently asked questions
It can be difficult to spot the signs of illness in turtles, but some common symptoms of sickness include lethargy, loss of appetite, and breathing issues. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a veterinarian.
Respiratory infections in turtles are often caused by bacteria and can lead to excess mucus in the mouth and nose, nasal discharge, wheezing, and open-mouth breathing or gasping. If you suspect your turtle has a respiratory infection, seek veterinary care immediately as it can be fatal.
Loss of appetite can be a sign of illness in turtles, but it could also be due to the water being too cold, indicating that the turtle is preparing for hibernation. Try adjusting the water temperature and offering a turtle sulfa block to provide essential vitamins and minerals. If your turtle still doesn't eat, consult a veterinarian.
Yes, some common diseases in pet turtles include metabolic bone disease, vitamin A deficiency, respiratory infections, abscesses, shell infections, and parasites. Regular veterinary care is important for early detection and treatment of these conditions.
Abnormalities in a turtle's shell can indicate an infection, shell rot, or other issues. If the scutes (shell pieces) are discolored, stinky, or pus-filled, consult a veterinarian immediately. They may prescribe ointments, creams, or antibiotics, and advise on adjustments to water and air temperatures.
