Tortoise - Upper Respiratory Disease
This syndrome is often referred to as a single disease - it is not, but a complex interplay between the tortoise, its husbandry and various micro-organisms.
It is also mistakenly referred to as 'runny nose syndrome' - this infers it simply affects the nose whereas many other areas are involved.
Typical symptoms include discharge from nose and/or eyes, mouth rot (stomatitis), anorexia, weight loss, and breathing noise or difficulty.
It is caused by a number of factors:
- Primary, underlying factors. These are the most important and include low environmental temperature, dehydration, stress (especially from the mixing of different tortoises), poor nutrition, and underlying disease.
- Secondary factors. These are disease-causing agents that can cause symptoms when the tortoise affected by factors listed above. They include herpesviruses and Mycoplasma bacteria. These may be capable of causing primary disease especially when a carrier tortoise is introduced to a naive community of tortoises (especially if a different species). However, mixing stress may be a factor in these apparent 'outbreaks'. Importantly, if a tortoise is infected with Mycoplasma or herpesvirus it will be infected for life. Disease signs may be continuous or may relapse whenever the tortoise's husbandry is less than ideal.
- Tertiary factors. These are the various 'normal' bacteria and fungi that may enter inflamed tissue and worsen the situation.
Prevention, therefore, consists of keeping husbandry ideal and not mixing different tortoise species. If mixing tortoises of the same species, new animals should be quarantined for 3-6 months first.
Therapy will not clear infection. It is aimed at reducing signs, but the tortoise must always be regarded as being a potential disease carrier and will relapse.
The most important thing is to treat the whole tortoise - correct husbandry problems, rehydrate, give correct nutrition and identify and treat underlying disease.
Therapy aimed against secondary and tertiary factors is then addressed - this may consist of localised therapies (eg nasal flush) or systemic antibacterials and/or antivirals.
© Copyright 2025 LifeLearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. This content written by LifeLearn Animal Health (LifeLearn Inc.) is licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written consent of LifeLearn. This content does not contain all available information for any referenced medications and has not been reviewed by the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, or Health Canada Veterinary Drugs Directorate. This content may help answer commonly asked questions, but is not a substitute for medical advice, or a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by a veterinarian. Please contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health. Created on Jun 24, 2008.
