Common Turtle Diseases and How to Handle Them

Turtles have become one of the common pets nowadays, but they can suffer from many diseases. If not prevented and treated in time, they might even die. Today, Dr. Yang from Oxygen Pets is here to talk in detail about some common turtle diseases and their corresponding solutions, hoping to help you out.

I. Several Common Turtle Diseases

1. White Eye Disease White eye disease is a very common ailment in turtles. When affected, their eyes become swollen, congested, and the cornea gets ulcerated. A white layer covers the eyeball, preventing them from opening their eyes or eating. This disease is mostly caused by high breeding density and alkaline water. However, it can be entirely prevented by frequently changing the water, especially in hot climates, and regularly disinfecting the turtle’s habitat. Treatment Method: For turtles with white eye disease, enhance their nutrition to boost immunity. Apply tetracycline eye ointment to the affected area twice a day, and let them bask in the sun for disinfection.
2. Skin Ulcer Disease The main symptom is severe ulceration in certain areas, with the affected skin turning white. This occurs due to overcrowding, leading to turtles biting each other, and bacteria infecting the wounds, causing skin necrosis. Polluted water can also trigger this disease. Treatment Method: Apply tetracycline eye ointment to the wounds, then place the sick turtle in water with a small amount of terramycin. During treatment, avoid letting the wound soak in water for long periods to prevent worsening. Early treatment is crucial to prevent death.
3. Shell Rot Disease Symptoms include white spots on the shell, and pressing it might release bloody fluid with a foul smell. In severe cases, the shell might develop holes. This disease is mainly due to severe shell abrasion and bacterial infection. Treatment Method: Prevention is key—keep the water clean and disinfect the turtle pond regularly. If infected, soak the turtle in saltwater for about 15 minutes, let it dry, disinfect the affected area with gentian violet, and apply erythromycin eye ointment. Keep the turtle dry afterward.
4. Gastrointestinal Disease A common illness caused by problematic feed or water quality, or significant temperature fluctuations leading to indigestion. Symptoms include loss of appetite and diarrhea. Maintain a constant temperature in the habitat, change water frequently, and avoid feeding spoiled food. Treatment Method: Add a bit of antibiotics and an appropriate amount of terramycin powder to their food for treatment.
5. Pneumonia Mainly caused by significant temperature fluctuations in the environment, often occurring during hibernation. Treatment Method: Symptoms include nasal discharge and loud breathing. Isolate the turtle immediately and administer penicillin injections. Severe cases are hard to cure, so it’s best to keep the habitat temperature stable and adjust according to climate changes.

These are the five common diseases in turtles. No matter the illness, prompt treatment is essential to prevent worsening or missing the best treatment window. Hopefully, owners will pay more attention to turtle care to reduce the chances of illness.