Aquatic turtles are fun pets that are often extremely appealing to children as impulse pets. However, these reptiles require very specific care that many people underestimate. Some people don’t even bother to learn how to properly care for their aquatic turtle, while others may not realize that what they’re doing is not correct until their turtle is sick.
There are multiple ailments that may occur in aquatic turtles, but most of them are related to husbandry issues. Here are some of the most common diseases you might encounter when keeping an aquatic turtle as a pet.
The 13 Most Common Diseases in Aquatic Pet Turtles
1. Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiencies in aquatic pet turtles are almost always caused by dietary problems. If your turtle is fed iceberg lettuce, low-quality commercial foods, or a fully carnivorous diet, then they are at high risk for a deficiency of vitamin A.
When a turtle has a deficiency of vitamin A, then they are susceptible to a multitude of problems, including damage to the skin, damage to the mucus membranes of the respiratory tract, eyes, and mouth, ear abscesses, pneumonia and other respiratory infections, and kidney failure.
While there are bacteria that can cause respiratory infections in turtles, they are typically infections that take hold after a vitamin A deficiency has weakened the respiratory system.
2. Hibernation
While hibernation in cold temperatures is a natural event, it is usually not recommended to allow captive pet turtles to go through hibernation. This is due to the excessive stress that hibernation puts on the body. In nature, hibernation is a survival mechanism that allows turtles to survive the winter.
In captivity, though, turtles are usually kept at consistent temperatures and light levels throughout the year, along with always having access to food, so hibernation is not necessary for their survival. In a turtle that is already weakened due to illness or injury, hibernation can be a dangerous misuse of the body’s energy.
3. Salmonella
While salmonella is often associated with raw chicken and other meats, it is also commonly spread to humans by turtles, with children being the most common victims. In most cases, turtles infected with salmonella will be asymptomatic, which can make it even more dangerous.
Sometimes, people let their guard down when they are dealing with a pet that doesn’t seem to be sick. Salmonella may be present in your turtle before you even bring them home, so it’s best to always use proper handwashing techniques when handling your turtle or any part of its environment.
4. Dystocia
Dystocia is also called egg binding, which means that a turtle has eggs that she is unable to pass. Turtles can grow eggs, even without mating with a male, so even eggs that live alone are not safe from developing dystocia. Dystocia is often associated with poor husbandry, but it can also be caused by things like injuries to the pelvis and the presence of other illnesses.
Without treatment, dystocia can be very dangerous for turtles, so it’s important to always seek treatment for your turtle if you suspect she may be egg-bound.
5. Prolapse
A prolapse refers to an internal organ coming out of the body through a turtle’s vent, with the most common prolapses in turtles being a prolapse of the penis, uterus, cloaca, intestine, and bladder.
In male turtles, temporary prolapses may occur during periods of stress or sexual excitement, but these prolapses often resolve on their own. You may also see temporary prolapses if your turtle is having digestive problems or dystocia.
If a prolapse doesn’t resolve on its own quickly, then your turtle should see a vet in order to preserve tissues and prevent infections.
6. Bladder Stones
You may also see bladder stones referred to as cystic calculi. Bladder stones are formed when the minerals in a turtle’s diet form crystals in the bladder. These crystals begin to stick together, creating stones, which can cause discomfort and urinary blockages.
Bladder stones are often caused by an inappropriate diet, but they can also be caused by dehydration. In some cases, bladder stones may require surgery to be removed. Your vet will help you determine the cause of the stones so you can prevent them in the future for your turtle.
7. Gastrointestinal Parasites
Gastrointestinal parasites are not uncommon in pet turtles, so it is often not related to husbandry or dietary issues if your turtle gets gastrointestinal parasites. In many cases, turtles are asymptomatic, but gastrointestinal parasites can cause diarrhea and discomfort for your turtle.
Without symptoms, you likely won’t know your turtle has parasites until a fecal examination at the vet shows the presence of parasites. However, if your turtle is experiencing diarrhea or weight loss, they should see the vet as soon as possible.
8. Abscess
Abscesses are pockets of infection that can occur essentially anywhere on or in the body. In turtles, the most common abscesses are within the ears and are caused by vitamin A deficiency. The pus produced by turtles is very thick and hard, so you may see a hard, tumor-like swelling on the side of your turtle’s head. These may require antibiotics or surgical procedures to cure.
9. Shell Rot
There are multiple things that can cause shell rot, including bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Oftentimes, shell rot occurs when damage to the shell has occurred and provided an opportunity for an infection to take hold.
Shell rot can do some real damage to the shell of a turtle, though, and may even pass to the bone below, leading to serious issues for your turtle. A turtle’s shell is essential for protecting the internal organs, so it’s important to maintain the health of the shell.
10. Irregular Shell Growth
Irregular shell growth is a symptom of a problem, and it is almost always caused by malnutrition or metabolic bone disease (MBD). MBD and malnutrition are both usually associated with husbandry issues.
Once a shell has suffered significant damage from MBD, it will never grow back properly, so it’s extremely important to watch for changes to the shell and investigate the cause of it as soon as you notice it.
11. Shell Damage
Shells are intended to protect a turtle’s internal organs and bones, which means that sometimes, shells are damaged by injuries. Shells can suffer serious damage, including significant fractures that can allow infections to set in or internal organs to be damaged.
Shell fractures can usually be treated, but they usually will require the expertise of a veterinarian to provide treatment that will help your turtle heal and not allow further damage to occur.
12. Sloughing
Sloughing of the skin and shell is normal for turtles as they grow. Skin sloughing may appear to be white and fuzzy in the water, so it is often mistaken for fungal infections on the skin. As turtles age, the scutes on the shell will flake off, and this is perfectly normal.
Sloughing becomes abnormal when skin sloughing leaves behind open wounds and redness or when shell sloughing leads to shell damage or irregular shell shape.
13. Shell Algae
Shell algae isn’t a condition, although it can indicate water quality issues. If your turtle begins growing algae on their shell, you can gently brush it off, but you should also evaluate the water quality and ensure your filtration is adequate. Excessive algae on the shell may make it difficult for your turtle to get enough light to the shell, so it’s best to remove algae when you notice it.
Conclusion
Aquatic turtles are unique animals that require specific care. Educating yourself on the potential issues that these animals can experience before you bring one home will help you be the best owner for your turtle that you can be. It will allow you to give them a long life full of good health, but it does take commitment on your part.
Featured Image Credit: blue-sea.cz, Shutterstock