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Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:24 am
by Skippah
As stated above Skipper is... Sick! All symptoms seemed to start simultaneously, which could be a coincidence.
Symptoms: Noticeable/Distracting wheezing, General sluggishness (lying on the bottom most of the time), Reddish/pinkish skin around the neck and legs.
**I know of a vet near me that she's been to for shell rot**
whAT DO I DO

How big is your turtle? 7" long
How long have you had it? Since she was smol- 3 years, only

What is the water temperature? Around 68-74 degrees Fahrenheit (it's been this temperature for a while without ill effects)
Did you use a thermometer? Nope
Are you using a water heater? Yep
How much water is in there? 70-75 Gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? Yep (searchem prime)
Are you using any filtration? Yep (Canister)

What is the basking temperature? Around 80 Degrees
Is there a basking light? Yep
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yep
What kind is it or what is it made out of? (Turtle Topper)
Is there a UVB light? Yep

What have you been trying to feed it? Pellets and some fruits and veggies
When was the last time your turtle ate? Today

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 75 Gallons
Is the tank near a window? Yep
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? It's my bedroom but i'm mostly lying around being lazy so... no

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yep
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yep (Yet i'm here)

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? None other than previously stated

(I cant get a picture right now.. sorry)

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 5:08 am
by PokePony
Your water is too cold, because of this your turtle probably has some kind of respiratory infection. Your basking area temperature could use a few more degrees as well ! You definitely need to make its habitat warmer.
About the skin, from what I've read around it can be the result of different things. Skin infection, allergy, bad circulation... I don't know if it is directly related to your turtle sneezing.

When I have problems like that with any of my pets I go see the vet. I have no experience with RI, I only know that you'll probably have to give it some antiobiotics, and to be careful if you have another turtle because it can be very contagious.

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Wed Oct 25, 2017 7:42 pm
by Skippah
Yep, i'm going to get her into the vet then.

Quick question: does anybody else have experience with the airport animal hospital in Hermantown, Minnesota? She's been there, but.. i dunno

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 1:34 pm
by steve
How has her recovery from shell rot been? I don't know about Airport Animal Hospital , hope she's back to normal soon!

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 6:29 pm
by Skippah
She's completely healed from shell rot! Yay! She's still sick though.

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:01 pm
by litefoot
Sometimes shell rot can get into ( infect) the blood stream. Was any blood work done?

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:23 pm
by Skippah
I don't think they did any blood work but they'll do it tomorrow at the vet

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 2:27 am
by PokePony
Let us know how it went !

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 7:59 pm
by Skippah
They didn't do blood work, but they found out that she has pneumonia. I have to give her a shot every other day ;-; poor turt

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 8:12 pm
by litefoot
Sorry will be stressful for both of you. Did he say was bacterial pneumonia or viral ?

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 8:57 pm
by Skippah
Didn't say.

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:11 pm
by litefoot
This is a regular vet or a Herp Vet ? Hope a Doctor in herpetology !

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 10:11 pm
by Skippah
Yeah it is a doctor in herpetology and they actually treat a lot of turtles and tortoises... maybe she said which it was and I didn't hear? Does it matter?

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 10:43 pm
by litefoot
Great she's a Herpetologist !!! Pneumonia is serious for a turtle. Not that any type is good , bacterial does have a higher success rate. Sometimes all one can do would be making a turtle comfortable.
Enrofloxacin and oxytetracycline where two good antibiotic's used at the center I volunteered at with good results. Sure there are other good ones today.
Piggley and I hope for the best for Skipper and you. Helps that they treat a lot of turtles !

Re: Reddish Skin, Sluggish, Wheezing.. Poor Skipper ;;-;;

PostPosted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 11:00 pm
by Skippah
She's on Enrofloxacin