Deseases
Snakenecked turtles are generally easy to keep if you have some experience with turtles. They can be kept for many years if you offer them sufficient clean water, healthy food and adequate light.
But keeping turtles will probably also face you earlier or later with health problems. Some of the deseases that may occur are listed below. But as long as you are not experienced in treating your animals, you should always consult a goot Vetenarian to discuss the problem or get professional help.
Most snake-necked turtles do not bask in the sun, as do many other turtles.
My snake necks rarely go out of the water, even in the greenhouse enclosure were there is bright light and warm air. But that does not mean that your turtle does not wish to go outside. Always offer a basking place. A dry and warm place is often used by the turtles if they are sick or injured, or for resting a few days before laying eggs.
Rotting Shell (Necrosis)
Necrosis: relative new infected
part after cleaning
Severe and deep infected part
caused by Necrosis
Some turtles develop necrosis. This means that parts of the shell is rotting. You often don't realize it at the beginning. But as soon as you discover a soft part of the shell, determine whether it is smelly and rotting. I have very good experience in debriding the effected part. Remove carefully all of the rotten material until all visible tissue appears healthy and clean. Don't be afraid of deep holes. As soon everything of the rotten part is removed, I put Terramycin ointment into the cavity. This antibiotic has saved all of my necrosis patients so far. You may also try some jelly based anti bacterial ointment. Keep the water clean and repeat puting the ointment into the hole for some days.
Necrosis often develops after transport as a sign of stress. But rememeber: animals can also be stressed at your home. If animals are harassed or bitten by other animals and have no way to escape, they may also develop necrosis.
Shell rotting may also occur whenbacterial infection develops under the upper shell layers.
This typically happens when the turtle grows and water goes under the top shell layer before shedding.
Septicaemia (Egg Bound)
Female M. rugosa after plastron surgery:
Eggs were removed after be found eggbound
Animal is healthy and has laid more clutches
without problems
Most water turtles which do not find suitable nesting places will lay their eggs into the water.
However situations may arise when animals don't lay the eggs at all. For example, stress, incorrect diet, mechanical problems (eggs are to large, broken or overcalcified eggs, passage of the pelvis to small etc.). The turtle may die of septicaemia if this situation is prolonged. Try to rectify the causes if possible and if you feel that your turtle needs help than you might try to contact specialized veterinarian for surgical treatment.However, such treatment (the surgical removal of eggs) is always risky.
Important to know:
Most snakenecks will lay within weeks after they first can be palpated.
Macrochelodinas often carry their eggs for month without any sign of having problems.
Biting
The result of a penis bite can be serious and sometimes deadly. This is not uncommen if several animals are kept together. The males penis might still be erect for a while after the copulation is finished. Other turtles may bite into this 'worm looking thing ' and can injure the male seriously. Many such incidents end fatally. Look for a good veterinarian and keep the animal isolated and out of the water.
Remember: It is no problem for a water turtle to stay dry for several days or even weeks. Sick animals often escape to the land area and stay there, or sometimes even burry themselves. This is the first sign that something is wrong if a snake-neck is out of the water for a longer time !
I have also witnessed serious injuries with larger turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) bite smaller snake-necks on their front or hind limbs. Injuries often take long time to heal and/or claws may be lost.
Additionally some fish (mainly cichlids) may cause injuries to front and hind limbs. Permanent biting has been observed and may lead to ulcerated feet, if not stopped.
Severe foot injury of an C. longicollis
Biting was done by an larger C. insculpta
Bacterial infections What may look as a fungus infection at the first view, may turn out to be a bacterial infection. Beeing a frequently a problem among Koi breeders this bacterial infection with Citrobacter freundii is also found among turtles. Typical sign for Cotrobater freundii is a whitish creamy layer on top of the skin, typically around the claws. If this layer is removed by hand, often bloody tissue will get vissible underneath. | ||||||||
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Infection with 'Citrobater freundii' Having a clean, almost sterile environment for your turtle can be as dangerous as having a polluted environment. Sterile conditions can cause baterias and virus to spred enourmously in extreme short periods. It is always advisible to have good balance between different bacterias. Never clean your filter with hot water nor clean the aquarium for the last bit of dirt (= bacterias). Keeping a bit of water inside the tank is always better than replacing the complete water. A balanced water with a good mixture off all kind of bacterias is always better than a sterile environment! Tumors, Warts and Ulcers Fortunately these problems are not very frequent. Please consult your VET for further treatment. |  | |||||||
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