4048. A 2-month-old red-eared slider has wheezing sounds. What to do?

CASE STUDY: MY RED-EARED SLIDER WHEEZES FOR 2 DAYS. WHAT TO DO?
Be Kind To Pets Veterinary Videos/Stories. Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow) 

On 5 May 2022, a lady owner in her late 40s made an urgent appointment as her 2-month-old red-eared slider was "wheezing" loudly for the past 2 days. She had researched the Facebook Sliders websites and knew her pet had a respiratory tract infection. 

From the physical examination, I noted that the slider was very active. He had a good appetite and pooped normally. But he had soft shells and shell rot. He could turn upright in less than 2 seconds indicating he was healthy (see video). “No wheezing now,” the lady lamented. Some time later, the slider obliged and the short duration of less than one second indicated sniffles rather than wheezes.

5 May 2022. TREATMENT: 
1. Oral antibiotics and multivitamins. Inpatient treatment at Toa Payoh Vets for 3 days advised.

2. To get a much bigger basking platform and tank to house the 2 siblings.

“Most of the time, this slider bites the other one. He is a bully as he bites the sibling," the lady told me. "But he is usually pushed out of the platform by the bigger-sized sibling." This slider would be submerged in the water for long hours leading to lung infections as sliders need to bask as well.

3. A UVB light is being ordered online. "The shop has a shortage of UVB lights which are imported from Hongkong," the owner told me.

Medication for white spots known as shell rot. This slider was in the water most of the time. He would go into the water when exposed to morning sunlight. So, he did not receive sufficient sunlight for his shell to make Vit D which is needed, with proper feeding, for hard shell formation. "His upper and lower shells are soft",  I showed the owner the "dent" that could be seen when I gently pressed the shell surface with my index finger.

CONCLUSION:

11 May 2022
1. The owner replied to my WhatsApp that the slider no longer wheezes or has white spots.
"Good evening Dr.. Miu is recovered.no more wheezing sound and white spots. Shld I continue to brush her? Now the other one Mary, is developing the white spots..I just put them tog last nite. ?

2. A spacious basking platform and UVB light were installed. The owner was happy and sent a video.

UPDATES, IMAGES AND VIDEOS ARE AT THIS BLOG:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/05/4048-2-month-old-video-12-red-eared.html

--------------------------------------------------------------

IMAGES FOR GOOGLE WEBSITE PAGE
PROVIDING VIDEO LINK OF FINAL VIDEO

FINAL VIDEO AT:

Video 1. Phone video from owner

 

4th video from owner on 12 May 2022 shows the sliders happily swimming in the spacious tank.
New floating basking platform and UVB light above the platform.