Respiratory conditions in tortoises are not uncommon and can be very serious. They also tend to be one of the most diagnosed health concerns and are largely due to the anatomy of a tortoise’s respiratory tract.
You see, tortoises don’t possess a diaphragm, which means mucus cannot be coughed up, so accumulates in the lungs as a result. Similarly, they lack the minute hair-like structures (known as cilia), which also helps to remove mucus from the airways.
If you suspect your tortoise has a respiratory infection, it’s imperative to get them checked out straight away. Early detection and treatment are essential for increasing the chances of a successful and full recovery.
Recognizing Problems
As a responsible keeper of tortoises, it is important to know what a healthy tortoise looks like, so you can quickly identify any signs of abnormality.
For example, when a healthy tortoise is breathing, there should be little bodily movement with each breathe. Additionally, there should be no nasal discharge and the mouth should be a pale pink color.
Symptoms
The first indication of a respiratory infection is a runny nose. The infection starts in the upper respiratory tract and can quickly spread down into the lungs, which gives rise to pneumonia. Following this, symptoms will become more obvious and severe.
Here’s a rundown of what to look for that could indicate a respiratory infection in your tortoise:
- Lack of appetite
- Reduced activity
- Clear nasal discharge that becomes thicker and yellow over time
- Open mouth breathing or whistling while breathing
- Difficulty breathing (outstretched head and gulping air)
- Audible noises when breathing
- Drainage or bubbles coming from the mouth, nostrils or eyes
- Resting its head on the ground
- Rarely moving around its enclosure
- Pale gray or blue color of the mouth
Causes and Risk Factors
Respiratory infection can be caused by fungal, bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms. The most common culprit is the bacterial microbe called Mycoplasma. While it occurs naturally in tortoises and helps keep the body in check, these microbes can lead to infection if your tortoise is immuno-suppressed.
Risk of infection is highest following hibernation because a tortoise’s white blood cell count is low. This means it’s harder to fight infection.
Stomatitis, also called ‘mouth rot’ can develop in immuno-suppressed tortoises. Due to the link between the mouth, throat and nasal passages, this can lead to respiratory infection.
Poor husbandry is often associated with respiratory infection, namely insufficient light, heat and / or humidity. It’s vitally important to avoid leaving your tortoise outside in cold and wet conditions. Conversely, avoid an overly dry habitat and dusty bedding. All of which can trigger infection.
A healthy, balanced diet is a great way to help protect your tortoise’s immune system. An inadequate diet including lack of variety, overfeeding, underfeeding and vitamin deficiency (especially vitamin A), can cause immuno-suppression, leading to respiratory infection.
Chronic stress compromises the immune system of tortoises, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections. Just like humans, prolonged, high levels of cortisol due to stress can suppress the immune system, making it less efficient at fighting off infections. This reduced immunity makes tortoises more susceptible to pathogens, including those that cause respiratory infections.
In addition, a stressed tortoise may exhibit changes in their behavior such as eating less, basking less, and lethargy. These behavioral changes can affect overall health, including the robustness of their immune system. For instance, inadequate basking can lead to suboptimal body temperatures, which in turn can impair immune function and increase susceptibility to infections.
Initial Steps and Home Care Tips
When it comes to caring for your tortoise, addressing respiratory infections quickly and effectively is imperative to ensuring a successful recovery. Below, I have set out what I do if I spot a respiratory infection, and some detailed, at-home care strategies for you to follow.
When to Contact a Veterinarian
Although respiratory infections are not uncommon in tortoises, they can develop into pneumonia and be fatal if left untreated.
If your tortoise begins to show mild symptoms of infection, it is possible to treat them at home, however, if symptoms persist or get worse, I recommend contacting a veterinarian.
Home Treatment Guidelines
Treating your tortoise for a respiratory infection, requires time, care, and patience. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
- Identify the Symptoms: Keep an eye on your tortoise and look out for any signs of clear nasal discharge, open mouth breathing, bubbling of mucus, lethargy, suppressed appetite.
- Isolate your Tortoise: If you have more than one tortoise, separate the infected one to prevent the infection spreading between individuals.
- Identify the Cause: See if you can figure out what has caused the symptoms. Has the enclosure temperature changed? Is your tortoise receiving enough sunlight? Have you recently changed its diet? Have any changes been made to the enclosure?
- Rectify the Problem: Correct any problems you have come across. It’s imperative your tortoise has an environment that is akin to its natural habitat, and a well-balanced diet.
- Seek Veterinary Advice: Whilst at-home treatment is beneficial, its essential you consult a vet, since prolonged symptoms can be dangerous. A vet will provide proper diagnoses and treatment. If the infection is quite severe, they may prescribe antibiotics and nasal drops.
- Continue Treatment: Administer any medication you have received from the vet and continue to follow their treatment advice.
- Maintain Optimal Care Conditions: Regularly clean your tortoises enclosure to prevent the spread of bacteria. Reduce handling to minimize stress. Ensure they are kept hydrated and receive a healthy and varied diet.
- Monitor Progress: Keep a close eye on your tortoise and update your vet on any changes in behavior or symptoms. You can also schedule follow up appointments with your vet.
Improving Environmental Conditions
Since poor environmental conditions are a major cause of respiratory infection, it is vitally important to provide a habitat that closely resembles their natural environment.
This will significantly contribute towards your tortoise thriving and being able to enjoy a high quality of life in captivity.
Optimizing Temperature and Humidity
Tortoises are cold-blooded so rely on the external environment to control their body temperature.
As such, their enclosure must have a temperature gradient. The warmer, basking area should range between 85oF and 90oF. The cooler area should be around 75oF to 80oF.
At night, the temperature can be reduced slightly at both ends, but avoid any sudden fluctuations.
Generally, tortoises prefer moderate to high humidity levels, and as general rule, between 50% and 70% humidity is recommended. However, the specific requirements will vary depending on the species, so be sure to research what your tortoise needs.
Ensuring Clean and Stress-Free Living Conditions
Bacterial microbes can thrive, spread, and cause infection easily in dirty conditions. To prevent this, it’s critical you maintain a clean enclosure.
I recommend spot cleaning daily to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Every few months, do a deep clean of the enclosure. This includes replacing the substrate and disinfecting all surfaces.
Keeping your tortoise stress-free is essential for its overall health and well-being. A major stress factor is poor environmental conditions.
As well as maintaining optimal temperature and humidity conditions, make sure the enclosure provides adequate space for your tortoise to roam. Provide plenty of places your tortoise can hide when they feel stressed or threatened.
You should also place the enclosure somewhere quiet, away from loud noises and vibrations. Additionally, minimize handling your tortoise or moving its enclosure.
Nutrition and Hydration During Recovery
Once diagnosed, a treatment program is in place, and any necessary changes have been made to environmental conditions, the next best thing you can to aid your tortoise’s recovery is support their immune function by addressing any nutritional concerns.
Tortoises are herbivores who benefit from a diverse range of vegetables, leafy greens and herbs including leafy greens, weeds, grasses, and hay.
Feed them fruit very occasionally as they have a low tolerance for digesting sugar, and avoid processed food and meat as these tend to be high in protein is cannot be easily digested.
It may be necessary to supplement your tortoises’ diet with vitamins and minerals. Important ones include:
- Calcium – essential for bone health
- Vitamin D3 – needed for calcium absorption
- Vitamin A – immune function and vision
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids – support immune function
Importance of Hydration
Sufficient hydration is crucial to the survival of tortoises. Without enough water, tortoises can quickly become dehydrated, which can lead to health issues and is essential for efficient digestion and nutrient absorption. Make sure your tortoise always has access to clean drinking water.
As well as drinking, tortoises can absorb moisture through soaking. This helps to keep their respiratory tract moist and healthy. Soaking is most important after hibernation since they are initially dehydrated. A warm bath will help rehydrate your tortoise and flush out the accumulation of toxins.
Prevention Strategies
Unfortunately, even after treatment, there is no guarantee that the pathogens related to respiratory infections will have been completely eliminated.
Re-occurrence is a possibility, but with correct husbandry and my tried and tested prevention strategies, you can minimize the chance of another infection.
Here’s what I do to reduce the risk of future respiratory infections in my tortoise:
- Know what symptoms to look out for
- Maintain optimal enclosure conditions
- Provide a healthy, balanced diet
- Keep your tortoise hydrated
- Practice good hygiene
- Minimize stress
- Provide regular veterinary care
Citations
- Crossriggs Veterinary Clinic – Anatomy
- PubMed – Mycoplasma
- International Herpetological Society – Optimum conditions
