What are the common disease prevention and control methods for soft-shelled turtles

The soft-shelled turtle is a tonic that combines food and medicinal uses. As people's awareness of health preservation increases, the demand for it grows ever larger, which has promoted the artificial breeding technology of soft-shelled turtles. However, during artificial breeding of soft-shelled turtles, they suffer from diseases. These diseases may at best cause the soft-shelled turtle to grow slowly, and at worst cause the soft-shelled turtle to die, causing economic losses to farmers. So how should these diseases be prevented and controlled? Let's take a look together with Qinnongwang.

1. Saprolegniasis

Saprolegniasis is caused by fungi such as Saprolegnia and Achlya. It often appears in freshwater fish. The fungi lurk in water bodies all year round, seizing the opportunity to attack the soft-shelled turtle. Once they invade, the pathogens absorb nutrients and begin to grow, and within a few days they can cover the entire body of the soft-shelled turtle, causing it to move slowly, weaken its appetite, and eventually die from frailty. In the early stage of the disease, the hyphae have not yet grown, so no abnormality can be seen. As the hyphae grow, grayish-white cotton-like hyphae appear on the surface of the soft-shelled turtle, appearing flocculent in the water, dense in layers.

Prevention and control methods: Strengthen water quality management to prevent pathogen breeding caused by water pollution, regularly disinfect molds, and add vitamin E to the feed to increase the mold resistance of the turtle body. After disease is found, place the soft-shelled turtle in diluted salt water or baking soda solution for a medicinal bath of 12 hours to cure it.

2. Red neck disease

Red neck disease, also called big neck disease, is caused by Aeromonas hydrophila. Like saprolegniasis, Aeromonas hydrophila breeds in water bodies and invades the soft-shelled turtle's body due to various factors, causing disease. When the disease occurs, the soft-shelled turtle's neck becomes red, swollen and congested, and some soft-shelled turtles also show systemic edema, with red lesions on the abdomen, and the lesions gradually spread and ulcerate. This reduces the soft-shelled turtle's sensitivity to the outside world, weakens its appetite, and slows its movement; they all lurk in shady places, and many eventually die from sun exposure after coming ashore.

Prevention and control methods: This disease occurs in high-temperature seasons, so prevention should be the main approach. During rearing, feed the soft-shelled turtles antiviral agents several times a week, and disinfect the water body before and after heavy rain to avoid the disease. When the disease occurs, disinfect the water body in time, then change the water, and then mix heat-clearing and unblocking agents into the feed and feed it; after three consecutive days, it can be suppressed or cured.

3. Skin ulcer disease

Skin ulcer disease is also caused by pathogen invasion and infection. It mainly enters through wounds on the body surface caused by soft-shelled turtles fighting and biting each other or other reasons. It has a high incidence rate and a long epidemic period. When the disease occurs, the skin on the body surface begins to become inflamed and swollen, the diseased tissue gradually necroses and discolors, and then begins to ulcerate. As the condition spreads, the ulcerated area becomes larger and larger. In severe cases, muscles and bones may be exposed, the limbs may rot away, and the claws may fall off, causing great harm.

Prevention and control methods: When putting soft-shelled turtles into the pond, they should be healthy and have no wounds. Keep the water quality clean, disinfect regularly, and add vitamin E to the feed to increase disease resistance. When the disease occurs, drain the pond water completely, then take out all the soft-shelled turtles. First disinfect the breeding pond with lime water, expose it to the sun, then add water to the pond. Soak and wash the soft-shelled turtles with diluted potassium permanganate solution, then apply bleaching powder. They can recover after several consecutive days.

The above are the common disease prevention and control methods for soft-shelled turtles brought to you by Qinnongwang. There are still many diseases of soft-shelled turtles. Attention must be paid to disease prevention and control work so that soft-shelled turtles can grow healthily and profits can be increased. For more information, please stay tuned to Qinnongwang.