Paranoid or health problem?

[laurun3]

Hey,
I just got my Cherry-head Red-foot tort babies so I'm still trying to decipher what's normal and what's not. Just a little background, 1 is about a month old and the other is about 3 1/2 months old and I've had them a week. The older tort sneezed 3 times yesterday, that I observed, and once today. Is this normal? Or is this a sign of a respiratory problem?

In case you need to know about my enclosure... I use sphagnum moss for my substrate, and it is always kept moist. A water dish is also available at all times. I have a hide in the enclosure as well. The warmer side of the pen is 90 and I use a 100w uva/uvb mercury vapor bulb. At night the temp is usually 73. I also have a fan in the room so it never gets stuffy. The torts themselves have clear eyes and they don't have runny noses. They seem perfectly fine, they eat and they are active (when they're not sleeping). Any advice?

Thanks,
-Lauren

[Joe H]

Hi Lauren

When did it sneeze? What was it doing?

Where did you get the tort?

[laurun3]

Hey Joe,

Now that I think about it, both days the sneezing occurred while soaking and just after soaking. I soak them first thing in the morning before they eat. I use lukewarm water and only deep enough to reach the neck. And I don't put anything in the water, just plain tap.

And I got the torts from Vicki Hale.

Thanks,
-Lauren

[Joe H]

Vicki's torts are healthy.

Thats fairly normal with soaks and wet food.

[laurun3]

Thanks Joe,

I just wanted to make sure my torts were ok and that I wasn't doing something wrong.

I didn't doubt Vicki's good care. She's really sweet and loves her torts! 

Thanks,
-Lauren

[Joe H]

There are others selling them that would have me concerned about respiratory infections....but not with Vicki

[laurun3]

I heard the younger tort sneeze today when I was holding him/her so I scheduled a vet appointment as a precaution. I'm pretty sure they're sneezes... I have a couple other concerns and they're due for their first vet check anyways    I worry a lot...

[laurun3]

K so I haven't heard any sneezing lately, I'm not really sure if it even was sneezing...But I scheduled a vet appointment for Wednesday anyways just i case. Hope all goes well