About Turtles' Health

Can turtles get sick? The answer is yes. Turtles like all creatures will get sick if not proper cared for. They will also get diseases. This guide does not mean you don't need to take your turtle to the vet. This guide will explains varity of sickness and all the health realted issues. Remember, the most important thing you can do is to take your turtle to the vet if you suspect sickness.

Signs of A Healthy Turtle

Clear, alert eyes
Solid, normal looking shell
Eats normally
Breathes easily

Signs of A Unheathly/Sick Turtle

Discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth
Eating less
Decreased activity
Unusual droppings for more than two days
Strange shell; cracked or soft shell

Fungal Infection

The sign for this infection is you will see white/gray spots on your turtle sell. The most common cuase for this is dirty/bad water. Another cause is bad basking area. The basking area should be completey out of the water. Also let your turtles get plenty of UVB light.
TREATMENT: Check with your vet.

Algae

That's right, algae can grow on your turtles. If you're turle gets alage, it's normal but will rise the chance of getting Fungal Infection.
TREATMENT: Gently brush it off with a soft brush under a running water.

Rspiratory infections

Respiratory infections are one of the most common and most fatal disease for turtles. This disease is very serious if not treat right away. The disease is contagious and if your turtle seem to have this illness, please remove any turtles or animals in its habitat as well as its items. Have the animals check out for the diease and wash the items. The signs for this disease are: runny nose, breathing with mouth open, bubbles at mouth or nose, turtle swimming lopsided.
TREATMENT: Visit your vet right away for better chance of surival! They will give you medicines along with directions to treat your turtle.

Shedding

Shedding is normal. Shedding can be both the shell and the skin.
TREATMENT: It's normal. If you suspect anything wrong, visit a vet.

Eyelids Swollen

If you see your turtle's eyeslides swollen, it could mean that it isn't getting enough Vitamin A. Or living in dirty/bad water, or feeding it a unhealthy diet.
TREATMENT: Better diet that include Vitamin A or visit a vet.

Soft shell

This disease can be caused in many ways. One one is not enough calcium. Calcium help make the shell strong. And since the turles are young and still growing, it is very important that they get calcium during this time. Please check out the health guide to learn more about calcium and other needed vitamins. Another causes of this lack of UVB or sunlight. The other cause is lack of basking or not getting out of the water often. The signs for this disease are: White or discoloring spots on the shell. The shell feel soft in some areas or all.
TREATMENT: Provide the turtle a diet that include calcium. Dust some calcium powder on its food. If you haven't provide a basking area and UVB/sunlight, please do so. It's very important.

Fat Turtle?

Visit the Food and Feeding guide: Food & Feeding guide