What are some of the common diseases of pet turtles

What are some of the common diseases of pet turtles? 

What are some of the common diseases of pet turtles? 

Unfortunately, a large number of diseases are found in turtles when kept in captivity. The treatment is different - depending on the disease and its severity. It is easiest to cure at the very beginning, so it is important to prevent the disease. Several common diseases are described here. The main thing is to properly care for the turtle, and it will delight everyone for many years. Who knows, maybe a tortoise, and outlive you.
 

Dermatomycosis. Mycoses of the skin and shell in turtles arise as a result of loss of resistance of the animal organism due to improper maintenance, parasites and, above all, due to bacteria. The clinical picture of this disease is diverse. On the skin, often on the horn shell, a peculiar white-gray coating appears , which can develop into necrosis.

In this case, detachment of individual plates of the cornea can be observed; carapace deformation is still possible.

Less commonly observed is the formation of granules. With a timely start, treatment of turtles against mycoses can be successful. For the success of treatment is to improve the conditions of animals, especially hygiene.

Systemic mycoses. Losses of turtles due to fungal diseases are significant. Among the changes in internal organs, lung infections come first. The simple anatomical structure of the lungs of turtles provides good opportunities for the distribution of the fungus to the respected spores. With the development of systemic mycoses, factors are crucial: poor conditions, prolonged treatment with antibiotics, vitamin deficiency.  

Mycoses of the lungs do not have typical clinical manifestations; the real disease is established only at autopsy. In 3% of deaths, the cause is pulmonary mycosis. This disease is equally susceptible to water and land turtles. In most cases, other infectious pathogens develop. If mycosis of the lungs develops, then at the same time, damage to other organs
 liver, spleen,

Mycobacteria. This pathogen, having many varieties, affects land, water and sea turtles. There are no specific clinical signs of the disease with this disease, the fact of the disease is established only at autopsy. Mycobacteria were found in 1.7% of turtles. Swamp turtles, kept together with ornamental fish, may be infected by them. To date, therapy is not possible. when determining infection, disinfection should be started immediately.

Viral infections, pneumonia. Signs of the disease: conjunctivitis, symptoms of pneumonia, inability to eat.

Clinical signs: necrotic changes in the tongue, in the trachea and in the lungs. Both land and water turtles are ill. In land turtles, first of all, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity undergoes changes, in water turtles - the pharynx, trachea and lung tissue. In this disease: mortality in water turtles - up to 38%, in land - up to 50%, in other cases - up to 100%.

Brown spot disease. Pathogens: Herpes virus-like particles. Symptoms: pustules (pustules) or gray spots on the epidermis in soup turtles. Affected organs: skin.

Pathogenicity: within 2 to 3 weeks, almost all young sea turtles in the same group are sick, of which 5-20% die.

Skin diseases .

Turtles have strong, highly resistant skin. As a result of mechanical damage (burns, crushing or bites by other turtles or dogs), infectious pathogens can penetrate the skin. Even fungal spores can invade skin damaged in this way. In sea turtles, ulcerative dermatitis results from bites.

Parakeratosis of land turtles. The cause of the disease is, presumably, the improper maintenance of animals, an overdose of vitamin A. Symptoms: the separation of the epithelium, starting in the neck and cesspools, spreads to the whole body. Horny surfaces (nose, claws and carapace) remain intact.

Necrosis of the shell. Reasons: mechanical damage to the shell creates the conditions for the penetration of infectious pathogens. With the further development of the disease, separation of the corneous scutes occurs and their partial loss to animals. Necrotic processes spread to the bones lying under the horny scutes. Land turtles are ill, but first of all, water turtles.

Osteodystrophia fibrosa. Due solely to meat nutrition or damage to the kidneys, the calcium / phosphorus ratio is impaired. The disturbed calcium / phosphorus ratio leads to overactive parathyroid gland. This, in turn, leads to bone resorption. The affected bones become longer, softer, able to change their shape. The consequence of this are fractures. The shell plates become thicker and softer.

Osteoporosis. The disease is a protein deficiency syndrome that develops due to too long beak or other causes. Sometimes, deformation of the vertebral body also occurs.

Rickets. With a lack of vitamin D3 and ultraviolet, a violation of ossification develops, the result of which is a lack of minerals in the skeleton. The bones become soft and supple. The carapace becomes soft and deformable (unnaturally bent edges of the carapace or defects of individual shields). This disease is observed only in young or growing turtles.
 

Bone softening. As a result of the lack of minerals in the bone tissue, bone softening occurs. The disease is observed in adult animals

Maladaptive syndrome. Due to the lack of adaptability of turtles to changing factors, disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract are often noted. The causes of violations can be very diverse and often remain unclear. Violations appear: After hibernation (At the beginning of hibernation, turtles use fat reserves, then feed on the protein of their own tissues); After long transportation; Under adverse conditions.

Ulcerative stomatitis. 

Ulcerative stomatitis is observed mainly in sea turtles, more often in young ones.

Chronic gastritis. Chronic gastritis is often caused by fungi and is detected only at autopsy. Often, the disease is preceded by a lack of appetite and vomiting. Fungal ulcer was found in 50% of deceased turtles that had vomiting during their lifetime.

Constipation. Along with swallowing foreign bodies or too much sand, stagnation of the dry or fibrous contents of the intestine can also cause constipation. Worms can also cause constipation.

Diarrhea There are diarrhea caused by an infectious lesion and diarrhea caused by food. In case of infectious diarrhea, fecal examination and targeted treatment are necessary. If no pathogen was found, then a change of nutrition is recommended.