Any behavior that is different than the slow deliberate movements that your turtles usually make will likely catch you, their owner, off guard, and this is understandable
An example of behavior that will catch you off guard is your turtle wheezing, this article will look into why your pet does this.
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Why is my turtle wheezing?
If your pet is wheezing, if it’s breathing so labored, then you’d definitely be confused and concerned.
Figuring out why this is happening and treating the potential causes will get your pet to stop breathing in this way
Here is why your turtle may be wheezing:
Dehydration:
One of the reasons why your pet turtle may be wheezing may be that the animal is simply dehydrated.
This can happen if the turtle has been under a heating element for too long and hasn’t had access to water in a while.
If this happens then your pet may become dehydrated.
What to do:
Rehehrdating your pet will be simple, you can do this by offering your pet clean fresh water to drink and a soak in which your pet will also drink.
Giving your turtle water-rich foods will also go a long way in rehydrating the animal.
The dehydration may also set in if your pet’s environment isn’t humid enough. You can mist the enclosure to help with this and also add lots of plants into the enclosure to maintain humidity.
Adding hiding spots in the enclosure will allow your pet to relax in a shaded and cool area
Something stuck:
One of the simplest reasons why your turtle may be wheezing may be that it has something stuck in its respiratory tract and the turtle is trying to dislodge it.
It’s common for things to get stuck in the respiratory tract of turtles but these animals are generally able to dislodge the item.
What to do:
You don’t have to do anything in this case, turtles are generally able to remove things that are stuck in their respiratory tracts with no assistance.
If the animal seems to be struggling and wants to get the object out then you can soak your pet in a bath of water. The turtle will instinctively drink which will flush the object out
If your pet stops eating, becomes less active, if it’s appetite diminishes or if shows signs of being ill then you may have to worry as your pet may be ill.
Respiratory infection:
One of the signs of a respiratory infection in turtles is the animal wheezing, so, if you see this in your pet then the animal may have a respiratory infection.
This condition is usually caused by viruses, bacteria, or even parasites.
Other signs of a respiratory infection in your turtles include nasal discharge, wheezing, open-mouth breathing, lethargy,
What to do:
Taking your turtle to the vet would be the best thing to do in this case. The vet will be able to examine the animal, run tests on the animal and then give a diagnosis confirming if your turtle has a respiratory infection.
If you can’t immediately get your pet to the vet then it is recommended that you separate the sick turtle if you think that it is sick, to keep the animal from potentially getting your other turtles sick
You may also want to increase the temperature in your pet’s enclosure a bit, this will help it fight off the infection somewhat until you can get the animal to the vet.
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other turtle/tortoise related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Turtle Swollen Foot, Why Does My Turtle Stretch His Neck And Open His Mouth, Why Is My Turtle Weak?, Why Is My Turtle Whining, Why Is My Turtle Mean?, Why Is My Turtle Water Brown, Why Is My Turtle Water Red?, Why Is My Turtle Water Yellow?, Why Is My Turtle Walking In Circles
