Disease Prevention in Turtle Farming
Causes and prevention of claw rot and skin decay in turtle farming:
Due to a higher density of breeding, turtles often bite, squeeze, rub, or bump into each other... These actions can all cause external injuries to the skin and local damage. After bacteria invade, it causes redness, swelling, and necrosis of the skin tissue at the injured site.
Treatment for turtle claw rot and skin decay: First, remove the lesion from the affected area and apply gentamycin eye ointment once a day. If the turtle is still eating on its own, antibiotics can be added to its food; if the turtle has stopped eating, you can apply gentamycin ointment and then isolate the sick turtle for feeding. Do not breed them in water, as this may worsen the condition. Return the turtle to the pool for breeding after recovery.
First, let's talk about the cause of skin decay: It is caused by single spore bacterial infection.
If wounds are not treated promptly or are in poor environments, they are prone to infection, erosion, and emitting an unpleasant odor. When the infection is very severe, the turtle may eat less or refuse water and food. Water quality pollution can also easily lead to disease in turtles.
Next, let's discuss prevention: First, check the environment and water quality where you are breeding them. Increasing land area and reducing the time turtles soak in water can also reduce the chances of skin decay infection. Reduce the breeding density. If you have laid down bottom sand, remove it or replace it with smooth pebble sand. Stones used to create land should be smooth to avoid causing abrasions or cuts from sharp edges. For water quality, clean water should be frequently changed to reduce the concentration of bacteria in the water. Turtles with healthy skin are less likely to get infected, and when the concentration of bacteria in the water is low, infections are also less likely. Therefore, maintaining skin health mainly involves preventing external injuries and ensuring good water quality, while also guaranteeing appropriate lighting and time out of the water.
Razorback turtle carapace infected with fungi
The razorback turtle used to hide under submerged wood, resulting in a carapace injury that never healed and now has become a fungal infection. How should it be treated?
1: It is completely curable. Mix erythromycin ointment with Yunnan Baiyao, apply it evenly, and it will be highly effective in treating fungal infections and shell rot. Before treatment, dry the shell first, disinfect with iodine, wait for the iodine to dry, then apply the medicine. Let it air for a while before putting it back in the water. Persist with this treatment twice a week, and there will be improvement within a month. The condition should be fully cured within about six months.
2: Soaking in tetracycline is also effective. Continue feeding food. It’s best to isolate the turtle and not keep it in the original environment anymore. However, make sure to follow method one: Clean the back with baking soda using a toothbrush. You can also apply antifungal ointments like Miconazole or Ketoconazole!
3: Wash thoroughly first, then keep it in shallow water and apply some erythromycin on the carapace. The water level should not cover the back. There should be noticeable improvement in about a week!
Treatment for swollen eyes and head rot in yellow-headed side-necked turtles
Swollen eyes and head rot in yellow-headed side-necked turtles are both caused by poor water quality.
Treatment methods:
1: Apply gentamycin eye ointment to the eyes, and try Yunnan Baiyao on the rotten areas. Make sure to maintain warmth.
Yellow-headed side-necked turtles must not be soaked in saltwater. After cleaning with distilled water, directly use tetracycline (which is undeniably effective for skin diseases in turtles). During these days, use mineral water or distilled water for breeding.