My turtle stretches his neck and opens his mouth wide

[harshsingh.28]

At first I thought that something was stuck in his throat but I dont see anything. He just stretches his neck out and opens his mouth wide. Idk what's the problem.. if anyone can help out pls.
He is about 13 to 15 years old and is a red eared slider

 

[Maggie3fan]

At first I thought that something was stuck in his throat but I dont see anything. He just stretches his neck out and opens his mouth wide. Idk what's the problem.. if anyone can help out pls.
He is about 13 to 15 years old and is a red eared slider
View attachment 348184

I am not very experienced, but it sounds like an URTI...he probably needs antibiotics

 

[Yvonne G]

That action usually indicates he can't breathe. Like Maggie said, probably an upper respiratory infection.

 

[harshsingh.28]

That action usually indicates he can't breathe. Like Maggie said, probably an upper respiratory infection.

Alright thanks guys, any precautions or tips that I should keep in mind?
I have scheduled an appointment with the vet.

 

[TammyJ]

Hope it's a reptile vet . cat and dog vets tend to experiment on your reptiles. My experience taught me that. All the best, he looks in distress.

 

[TammyJ]

Can we see his plastron?

 

[jeff kushner]

Get him warm, 85F or so.....house temperatures are way to cold for our little guys that live in water. Read through the stickies at the top of this folder and you'll have something to do till more talent chimes in!

My own experience in decades of keeping water turtles in indoor tanks showed me that low temps are the biggest driver with breathing/infection issues but I'm a hack, someone without real knowledge...full disclosure.

Glad you have an appointment, hopefully your vet will be knowledgeable with him!!

Good luck and let us know how it works out!

jeff

 

[TammyJ]

I wondered what that pink spot was on his carapace, and wanted to see the plastron.

 

[mark1]

I wondered what that pink spot was on his carapace, and wanted to see the plastron.

absolutely........ myself i'd get him on antibiotics asap...... and do the temperature stuff too ....

 

[harshsingh.28]

I wondered what that pink spot was on his carapace, and wanted to see the plastron.

Ohh dont worry about that, its just saffron.. My mom puts it on him every morning while praying

 

[harshsingh.28]

Get him warm, 85F or so.....house temperatures are way to cold for our little guys that live in water. Read through the stickies at the top of this folder and you'll have something to do till more talent chimes in!

My own experience in decades of keeping water turtles in indoor tanks showed me that low temps are the biggest driver with breathing/infection issues but I'm a hack, someone without real knowledge...full disclosure.

Glad you have an appointment, hopefully your vet will be knowledgeable with him!!

Good luck and let us know how it works out!

jeff

Alright, thanks jeff.