Keeping your turtle healthy

More than 85% of all diseases encountered in turtles are the result of either poor breeding or poor dietary management, sometimes both together. Dirty water or incorrect temperature control is often another reason for poor health or infections in turtles. Clean water and the correct temperature can be provided at low cost from readily obtainable accessories which can be purchased at any pet or aquatic stores.

Diseases resulting from an incorrect diet are also extremely common, and are a major cause of early death. If a correctly balanced diet is provided, then turtles should live to a good old age.

Turtles can get sick like any other animal, and if they do, you should seek veterinary advice at once. Most conditions can be treated successfully if caught early enough.

The following guide to some of the more common health problems of captive turtles is provided to help you identify a potentially sick animal in need of further investigation and possible treatment. It is not intended as a ''Do-it-yourself'' guide to treatment. All medical treatment should be carried out under qualified veterinary direction.

There are also some general guidelines for treating and nursing sick turtles:

Sick turtles should be kept warm. The best temperature range in most cases is between 80-86 degrees Fahrenheit. At these temperatures the animal's own immune system is able to function at its highest. It is more important to maintain hydration than to worry about force feeding solid foods. Dehydrated turtles are at serious risk from renal complications. Even emaciated animals require rehydration and a restoration of renal function before they require force feeding. A sick turtle may not be able to swim properly, they can even drown. Keep water levels low and make sure that the turtle can leave the water easily if it wishes to.

If an infectious disease is suspected, remove the the animal from the tank immediately and isolate it. Keep a spare tank on hand for this purpose in case it is ever required.

The key to the successful treatment of reptiles is accurate diagnosis followed by appropriate medication given from the care of a professional veterinarian.

Basic guide to common diseases

Symptoms:
Swollen or puffy eyes, usually closed. Possible white discharge. Skin may appear red and raw. There may be edema.
Probable cause:
Bacterial infection of eyes often consequent upon inadequate filtration of water. Investigate environment. Incorrect temperatures can also be responsible for this sort of symptom.
Treatment:
Topical antibiotics for eyes (non-soluble ointment base) if bacterial infection present. Adjust hygiene and environment if incorrect.

Symptoms:
Lesions or plaque-like furry build-up of necrotic matter in the mouth. Possible refusal to feed, and eyes may also be swollen.
Probable cause:
Bacterial infection of the mouth usually implicating Gram-negative organisms. Contagious to other specimens.
Treatment:
A serious condition requiring prompt treatment. The mouth should be cleaned using povidone-iodine solution several times per day with physical removal of necrotic tissue. Topical antibiotics of known efficacy against Gram-negative organisms may also be advised. Handle affected animals with care and isolate immediately. This condition usually responds well if recognized in good time.

Symptoms:
Animal lethargic, may hold head high or in an unusual position. There may be weakness in the front or back legs, and there may be a discharge from nose or mouth often accompanied by wheezing.
Probable cause:
Serious bacterial infection of the respiratory tract, possibly pneumonia.
Treatment:
Veterinary attention urgently required. Antibiotic injections are the usual course of action (antibiotics are not normally given orally to tortoises or terrapins due to the prolonged and unpredictable rate of absorption via the gut and unpredictability of resultant blood serum level).

Symptoms:
Carapace(shell)or plastron(bottom of the shell, belly) reveals soft area with possible hemorrhage. There may or may not be an unpleasant smell from the locality. The affected area may spread rapidly.
Probable cause:
Bacterial infection of the tissues which may have its origins in trauma or as a specific disease. Gram-negative bacterial organisms are usually implicated.
Treatment:
The affected area should be cleaned regularly with povidone iodine solution, necrotic tissue gently removed, and the terrapin isolated immediately. A topical antibiotic should be applied (laboratory sensitivity cultures may be advisable). Most cases result from localized traumatic injury, e.g., burns from heaters or abrasions from sharp rocks in the tank etc.

Symptoms:
Lethargy, weakness, possible red flush to limbs or plastron.
Probable cause:
Generalized septicemia (blood poisoning).
Treatment:
Many cases result from traumatic injury, especially if incurred in contaminated water. There may be hepatosis as the liver can rapidly become implicated. Urgent parenteral antibiotic treatment is required together with careful and intensive supportive therapy. Blood tests can be useful in establishing the progress of treatment.

Symptoms:
The carapace is soft and may be distorted. The legs may be weak and the terrapin may have trouble feeding.
Probable cause:
Dietary calcium deficiency, either relative or absolute.
Treatment:
Very severe cases are unlikely to survive. Treatment consists of calcium injections plus revised diet and maintenance under a UV-B emitting light. N.B: Comments on soft-shell symptoms do not apply to Soft-shell Turtles, e.g Tryonix/Apalone species!

Symptoms:
Fresh wound.
Probable cause:
Fighting, abrasion on rocks or other objects.
Treatment:
Remove causal factor from environment. Clean gently using povidone-iodine solution and keep particularly clean until fully healed. Observe carefully for symptoms of secondary infections e.g, septicemia, necrotic dermatitis.

Symptoms:
Swelling or local inflammation on side of head.
Probable cause:
Ear abscess. In turtles, often due to inadequate water hygiene.
Treatment:
Surgical excision by veterinary surgeon under general anaesthetic.

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