Detailed Explanation of Prevention and Treatment Methods for Gastrointestinal Diseases in Turtles
Gastrointestinal disease in turtles, also known as gastroenteritis or enteritis, is a common and frequently occurring disease in late spring and during the high-temperature seasons of summer and autumn.
1 Symptoms When turtles first develop gastrointestinal disease, they are listless, move slowly, and their appetite declines until it is completely lost; they only like to drink water. The feces are loose and unformed, yellow-brown, dark brown, or liver-colored. There is abdominal bloating and qi stagnation; in severe cases, there is watery diarrhea with a foul odor, and the pH value is strongly alkaline. In the later stage, the eyeballs sink in, and the skin is dry, loose, inelastic, and lusterless, finally leading to exhaustion and death. Necropsy reveals congestion and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
2 Prevention
For gastrointestinal disease in turtles, prevention should be the main focus, with prevention valued more than treatment; early prevention is especially key.
2.1 Keep the ambient temperature and water temperature relatively stable, and strengthen water quality management. @#@238@#@ Use clean water sources such as mountain stream water, well water, and spring water, and avoid using polluted water. Change the water in a timely manner according to water quality conditions to keep the water quality in good condition.
2.2 Regular disinfection. Before releasing turtle stock, use 75-100 kg of quicklime per 1000 sq m of water surface to clear the pond. During the rearing period, every 15-20 days, use 30-40 kg of quicklime per 1000 sq m of water surface, dissolve it in water, and sprinkle it evenly. For the egg-laying site, use 0.12 kg of quicklime per sq m, dissolve it in water, and sprinkle it. If turtles are kept in containers, the containers should be repeatedly cleaned before placing the turtles, soaked and disinfected with salt water, and then the turtles can be placed in them.
2.3 Strengthen feeding management. Feeding should be at fixed times, in fixed locations, with fixed quality, and in fixed amounts. The feed varieties should be changed frequently, and never feed spoiled, rotten, or contaminated feed. Residual bait should be removed promptly to avoid polluting the water quality. When feeding live baits such as @#@254@#@ and @#@261@#@, strictly disinfect them.
3 Treatment
When turtles are found to have gastrointestinal disease, they should be isolated and treated promptly to avoid mutual infection. Healthy turtles should be given preventive medication, while sick turtles should be actively treated.
3.1 For every 100 kg of sick turtles, use 150 g each of Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Plantago seed, 180 g of purslane, and 100 g of dandelion. Simmer over low heat for 2 hours, then take the liquid and mix it with pig lungs or cow lungs for feeding.
3.2 Oral administration of berberine or sulfaguanidine: feed 1 tablet per kg of turtle body weight each time, 2 times per day. From the 3rd day onward, halve the dosage. 7 days constitute 1 course of treatment.
3.3 Intramuscular injection into the hind limb of berberine (or Andrographis paniculata or Houttuynia cordata) injection, with a dosage of 5 mL per kg of turtle body weight.