Sneezing

[Azrielle Mckenzie]

I've noticed my tortoise doing high pitch sneezes? I'm really starting to worry she's sick. What should I do??

 

[laney]

Is it dusty in her enclosure? Could be that if it is.

I've heard people talking about RI's but I don't know much about them. Hopefully someone can help soon!
In the mean time you could post if she has any other symptoms runny nose, eyes ? It will help the more experienced keepers advise you.
Good luck, hope she will be ok x

 

[Azrielle Mckenzie]

Thank you, her enclosure isn't dusty, her eyes seem okay but I do catch her rubbing them sometimes. She doesn't have a runny nose but she sneezed a few times in a row after I gave her a bath so I assume she does it when I'm not around too. They were really high pitch and she did it about three times one after another. I hope she's not ill because I know it takes longer for them to recover than it does most animals

 

[biochemnerd808]

Tortoises don't have sinuses, their nose connects directly into their mouth via slits. So a tortoise wouldn't sneeze from e.g. dust. I know that tortoises do sometimes sneeze in normal conditions - but sometimes it can be an indication of a respiratory infection. Keep an eye on activity level, how much she eats, and whether her nose stays dry.
Could her eyes be irritated from the substrate being too dry? Rubbing her eyes could be an indicator that it is time to mist the enclosure with some warm water. If discharge is oozing from her eyes, you may need to get some antibiotic drops. Otherwise, just pour a little water over her head with a spoon while she is soaking, to rinse possible debris. You can also make isotonic saline (1 cup of water + 1/4 non-iodized salt), and drip this into her eyes from above.

Thank you, her enclosure isn't dusty, her eyes seem okay but I do catch her rubbing them sometimes. She doesn't have a runny nose but she sneezed a few times in a row after I gave her a bath so I assume she does it when I'm not around too. They were really high pitch and she did it about three times one after another. I hope she's not ill because I know it takes longer for them to recover than it does most animals