If ignored or left untreated, respiratory infections can be life-threatening because tortoises lack a diaphragm, meaning the chest and abdomen aren’t separated.
The tortoise can’t cough up mucus, so it accumulates, and this buildup compromises lung function, making breathing difficult. That’s why you may notice gasping or open-mouthed breathing.
Respiratory infections usually affect the upper respiratory tract, causing a runny nose (rhinitis), hence why they got the name Runny Nose Syndrome (RNS).
Unfortunately, the infection can spread to the lower respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia.
How Long Can A Tortoise Live with A Respiratory Infection?
How long a tortoise can survive with a respiratory infection depends on the severity of the infection, age, health, and the amount of time that’s elapsed before treatment was sought.
Respiratory infections can be serious and even life-threatening for tortoises, as they can spread from the upper to lower respiratory tract, potentially leading to pneumonia (lung inflammation).
Tortoises don’t have a diaphragm or cilia in their lungs, so they can’t cough to remove mucus from their lungs. Unfortunately, a tortoise can drown in its mucus, especially in sudden-onset cases.
If a tortoise is diagnosed with a respiratory infection and receives prompt and appropriate treatment, the prognosis is usually encouraging, but recovery isn’t guaranteed.
Always seek prompt veterinary care if you suspect the tortoise has a respiratory infection, as early diagnosis and treatment maximize the likelihood of a positive outcome.
What To Do If Your Tortoise Has a Respiratory Infection
Avoid waiting for a respiratory infection to go away without treatment because it’s unlikely to happen. Unfortunately, this decision can even have life-threatening consequences.
How To Tell If A Tortoise Has A Respiratory Infection
The early signs of respiratory infection in tortoises include the following:
- Runny Nose Syndrome (RNS), resulting in a runny nose (rhinitis) or bubbles from the mouth.
- Respiratory distress, resulting in gasping for air and open-mouthed breathing.
- Raspy breathing signifies that the respiratory tract is inflamed and partially blocked.
- A loss of interest in food, so the tortoise could stop eating entirely.
- The tortoise will be significantly less active than normal.
- The eyes can become swollen or even completely shut.
Most infections begin in the upper respiratory tract but can spread to the lower respiratory tract and cause mucus accumulation, leading to pneumonia.
Types of Respiratory Infections in Tortoises
Treatment depends on the pathogen that led to respiratory distress. Various types of bacteria are responsible, so swab testing may be required. If the cause is viral, a lab PCR test is essential.
A vet may perform an X-ray to determine if there are any physical changes in the tortoise’s lungs. Once the cause of the infection has been determined, treatment can be prescribed and issued.
Various infectious microbes can be involved, meaning the cause can be viral, bacterial, or fungal. It can even be a combination of all three.
How Do Tortoises Get Respiratory Infections?
Tortoises have microbes inside the nose, most commonly Mycoplasma bacteria, which isn’t an issue until their immune function and response are compromised by poor husbandry.
Lack of Vitamins
A deficiency in vitamins A and D can compromise the immune system, making tortoises more vulnerable to health conditions, including respiratory conditions.
Low Temperatures
Tortoises are cold-blooded (ectothermic) animals, so their environment regulates their body temperature.
When the temperature falls below the optimal range for the species, the metabolism ceases to function as efficiently, reducing the immune system’s efficacy.
Fungal Spores from Bedding
Fungi are a microorganism that can produce spores, which are small reproductive structures that can become airborne and spread throughout the environment.
Fungal spores in bedding can cause respiratory conditions in tortoises. This can cause respiratory tract inflammation, leading to wheezing and raspy breathing.
Post-Brumation
After emerging from brumation, tortoises are more vulnerable to breathing problems, especially if they have mouth rot (infectious stomatitis), due to how the mouth, throat, and nose are so closely connected.
Tortoise Respiratory Infection Treatment
If bacteria caused a respiratory infection, a herp vet would administer antibiotics like:
- Ampicillin
- Enrofloxacin
- Oxytetracycline
- Ciprofloxacin
This may be supplemented with antiviral or antifungal medication and nasal drops if multiple strains contribute to the respiratory condition or disease.
In some cases, oral antibiotics alone may be insufficient to treat a respiratory condition because some microbes are drug-resistant.
If so, the vet might administer a fast-acting injectable antibiotic at intervals of 48-72 hours to counteract the slow metabolism of a tortoise.
These drugs are given orally during the initial stage of treatment. The recommended dose for a standard oral antibiotic is 5 mg of antibiotics for every kilogram of body weight.
Tortoises have a very slow metabolism, which means the uptake of drug compounds happens gradually.
The veterinarian may administer nasal antibiotic drops using a syringe to clear the microbes inside the tortoise’s nasal cavities.
Ongoing care for respiratory infections in tortoises at home involves temperature regulation, keeping the tank clean and hygienic, providing a nutritious diet, and wiping away nasal discharge.
At-Home Aftercare And Prevention
Stressful situations and poor husbandry practices can compromise a tortoise’s immune system.
For example, insufficient space, poor ventilation, and incorrect temperature and humidity settings can cause and exacerbate respiratory conditions.
Once a herp vet has treated the tortoise for a respiratory problem, changes will be needed for its ongoing care. This will expedite recovery and reduce the likelihood of recurrent infection.
Here are some easy-to-implement aftercare suggestions:
Temperature Requirements
If a tortoise is exposed to low temperatures, it’s at risk of a respiratory tract infection.
Tortoises can’t regulate their body temperature internally, so it fluctuates depending on the ambient temperature in their living environment.
When environmental temperatures fall below the optimal level for the species, their immunity is adversely affected, making them vulnerable to ill health.
Therefore, to improve a pet tortoise’s natural immunity and aid its recovery, raise the enclosure’s temperature to 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit at the warm end and 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit at the cool end.
This will regulate the tortoise’s internal temperature, keep its metabolism working efficiently, and allow the immune system to fight off sickness.
Use a thermometer to monitor the enclosure’s temperature. Then, adjust the heat lamp if the temperature falls below the recommended level, which varies depending on the tortoise species.
Clean Enclosure
As the Journal of Clinical Microbiology postulates, environmental factors can exacerbate mycoplasma respiratory infections in tortoises.
Living in unsanitary conditions can trigger latent microbial infections, causing symptomatic illness.
Damp bedding conditions provide optimal conditions for fungi to grow and multiply. It’ll eventually dry, releasing fungal spores into the tortoise’s enclosure.
If a tortoise inhales fungal spores, it can develop respiratory illnesses like Aspergillus.
Warm Water Soaks
While tortoises always need regular soaks to stay clean and healthy, it’s even more critical when recovering from a respiratory illness.
This will help wash away discharge, moisten the shell, keep the tortoise hydrated, and aid digestion.
In particular, soaking the tortoise in warm water at least once a day can slowly drain excess mucus from the nasal cavities, making breathing easier.
Soaking allows tortoises to relax, de-stress, and enjoy the water. Ensure that the water vessel isn’t too deep because tortoises are poor swimmers, unlike turtles.
Wipe Off Nasal Discharge
The main symptom of respiratory illness is nasal discharge due to Runny Nose Syndrome.
If a tortoise has a breathing condition, it’ll have mucus dripping from its nostrils and mouth. Wipe away the mucus regularly with a clean damp cloth to prevent mucus buildup.
This allows the tortoise to breathe more easily, reducing the strain on its respiratory system.
Nutritious Diet
Contracting a respiratory illness can reduce a tortoise’s appetite, reducing the efficacy of the tortoise’s immune system and making it more vulnerable to harmful microbes.
A lack of vitamin A (also known as hypovitaminosis A) can increase the risk of respiratory infections.
Vitamin A (retinol) is crucial for producing and maintaining healthy respiratory tract tissue, including the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract.
When vitamin A levels are depleted, the respiratory tract tissue weakens, making it vulnerable to harmful microorganisms responsible for respiratory infections.
The best sources of vitamin A for tortoises include:
- Parsnips
- Collard greens
- Kale
- Carrots
- Pumpkin
- Sweet potatoes
- Butternut squash
Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the body, which are essential for respiratory function. If tortoises aren’t exposed to natural sunlight, they may become vitamin D deficient.
Vitamin D is involved in the production of antimicrobial peptides, which are proteins that protect against bacterial and viral infections. In addition, vitamin D enhances the activity of immune cells.
Artificial UVB lighting can provide tortoises with the UVB radiation necessary for vitamin D3 synthesis if natural sunlight isn’t available.
Also, vitamin D3 supplements can be given to tortoises under veterinary advisement in liquid drops, powders, and tablets. Note that too much vitamin D can be toxic to tortoises.
While mammals need vitamin C for a healthy immune system, tortoises don’t need a dietary source because they can synthesize vitamin C in their liver through endogenous synthesis.
However, vitamin C levels can deplete when tortoises are under extreme stress.
Are Tortoise Respiratory Infections Contagious?
Tortoise respiratory infections can be contagious when two or more tortoises share territory.
Mycoplasma is spread via nasal discharge. If two tortoises greet each other by touching noses, it could pass on a respiratory infection, especially if it’s less healthy than normal.
If you have more than one tortoise, ensure that the sick tortoise is quarantined. Not only does this prevent transmission of the infection, but it also minimizes stress for the sick tortoise.
