Red-eared slider turtle sneezing: Is it serious? What should I do?

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for reaching out about Mr. Skittles. Check and correct environmental parameters, including temperature as these animals need to be warm to stimulate immune system. If continues to sneeze, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Maintain pristine water quality and proper temperature. You can even bump water and ambient temps about 5 F to aid in recovery. Offer some freeze dried shrimp or krill to stimulate the appetite. Small bits of fresh beef heart may also get him eating. Other protein sources include feeder fish and nightcrawlers.

Thanks for reaching out about Dory and including a photo. Remove from an aquatic environment and dry dock. Heat support should be in the 80-85 F range. Allow to soak in a shallow, clean room temperature water for 1-2 hours twice daily, monitor to avoid drowning. A veterinary visit is mandatory for the prescription of antibiotics, which need to be injections, in an animal this ill. You need to find a veterinarian. Try the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV.org), they have a find a vet area. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Kiwi. When she floats in the water, is one side lower down? This could indicate pneumonia on one side. Respiratory infections, whether upper or lower, are often bacterial, but fungal and viral problems are also possible. Low vitamin A in the diet can also pre-dispose to opportunistic infections. Bacteria can cause disease if water quality is poor. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Other than optimal husbandry (heat support in basking site and water) and a good diet, there is not much else that can be done at home. Good luck.

This sounds like an upper respiratory infection. First you need to check your husbandry. Is the enclosure the proper temperature/humidity? Has the temperature changed drastically in the last few weeks? Have you moved the enclosure? Are you feeding him the correct diet and vitamin supplements? How is the lighting? Have you changed the bulbs in the last 6 months? My recommendation is to take him to a vet to get antibiotics.

Thanks for reaching out about Iggy. Reptiles can not acquire respiratory infections from humans, but possible from another turtle that has an infection. One night might be long enough to pass on the contagion. Check and correct husbandry such as water quality, water temperature, basking temperature and UVB exposure, as these are more likely components of illness. It is not legal to prescribe medications without a veterinary-patient-client relationship, meaning a physical exam. See your local veterinarian. Good luck.