{"topic_id":"evidence_exotic_turtle_husbandry_health","category":"evidence","context":"---\ntopic_id: evidence_exotic_turtle_husbandry_health\ncategory: evidence\ntitle: \"Evidence cluster — Pet turtle (chelonian) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)\"\nlang: en\nsource: \"Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search, first-hand peer-reviewed abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01\"\nsource_file: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_turtle_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt\ndate_parsed: 2026-08-01\ntokens_estimated: 4843\nverification:\n method: substring_match\n claims: 12\n passed: 12\n date: 2026-08-01\nsource_document: \"Peer-reviewed Pet turtle husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)\"\ncitation:\n authority: \"Europe PMC\"\n title: \"Evidence cluster — Pet turtle (chelonian) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)\"\n url: \"https://www.ebi.ac.uk/europepmc/\"\n retrieved: \"2026-08-01\"\n doc_type: \"first-hand abstracts (Europe PMC REST)\"\n needs_review: false\n---\n\n# Evidence: Pet turtle (chelonian) husbandry, health & nutrition\n\nSource: Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search — first-hand peer-reviewed abstract records, pulled 2026-08-01.\nQueries covered husbandry, health/disease/parasitology, and nutrition/feeding for chelonian.\nThe cluster returns **12** representative studies with abstracts below. Abstract text is verbatim from source; each study is traceable by PMID.\n\n## Studies\n- **PMID 42328054 (2026, Frontiers in veterinary science)** — Animal-human interfaces and emerging zoonoses: <i>Salmonella</i> in pet turtles in Concepción, Chile.. Abstract (opening): Salmonella, a globally distributed genus of Enterobacteriaceae, poses a public health risk due to its role in gastrointestinal and systemic infections. Red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) are asymptomatic carriers of various Salmonella serovars. The objective of this study was to study the prevalence of Salmonella in different parts of pet turtles and their environment. In total, 179 samples (cloacal, shell swabs, and water) were collected from 72 pet turtles in Concepción, Chile. Using selective media and biochemical tests, 50 presumptive Salmonella isolates were found in 42 turtles, indicating a 58.3% prevalence. Shell swabs had the highest positive prevalence (30.6%), followed by water (28.6%) and cloacal samples (25.0%). The high contamination on shell surfaces suggests a direct fomite route for zoonotic transmission. These findings confirm pet turtles as significant Salmonella reservoirs and highlight the need for One Health strategies integrating veterinary care, public health education, and environmental hygiene to reduce salmonellosis risk.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42328054/\n- **PMID 41568116 (2026, Journal of rural medicine : JRM)** — Pediatric <i>Salmonella</i> Poona gastroenteritis with bacteremia linked to exposure to a pet turtle: a case report.. Abstract (opening): Objective
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Poona (S. Poona) is a zoonotic pathogen commonly associated with reptiles, particularly turtles. We report a pediatric case of S. Poona bacteremia in which a pet turtle was microbiologically confirmed as the source of infection.Patients
A 17-month-old Asian girl with fever and transient diarrhea was hospitalized. The patient had direct contact with the family's pet turtle shortly before symptom onset. The turtle's tank was routinely cleaned in the household kitchen sink.Results
S. Poona was isolated from the patient's blood and stool, as well as from swabs taken from the turtle's limbs, shell, and feces. Macrorestriction analysis revealed that the isolates from the patient and the turtle shared identical genomic fragment patterns, indicating transmission through direct contact or environmental contamination. The patient made a full recovery following a 14-day course of intravenous cefotaxime and ampicillin.Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in Japan of S. Poona infection with microbiological confirmation of the source animal. This case highlights the importance of strict hygiene practices when handling reptiles and cleaning their habitats, particularly in homes with young children or other vulnerable individuals.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41568116/\n- **PMID 42228186 (2026, Parasitology research)** — Global patterns of parasite sharing among freshwater turtles.. Abstract (opening): Freshwater turtles represent a highly diverse and ecologically important group, yet they are among the most threatened vertebrates worldwide due to habitat loss, overexploitation, and the introduction of non-native species. In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review, following PRISMA guidelines, to assess parasite sharing among native and non-native freshwater turtles globally, compiling data from 294 publications spanning 1939 to 2025. Our analyses, including multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and clustering analysis, revealed that parasite communities are strongly structured by host phylogeny, biogeography, and the presence of non-native species. In North America, Asia, and South America, both native and introduced turtles share extensive parasite networks, whereas Oceania and Africa show mostly endemic, intra-native associations. Non-native species such as Trachemys scripta may act as epidemiological bridges in Europe, facilitating parasite spillover to native hosts. These findings underscore the influence of evolutionary history, species introductions, and geographic isolation on host-parasite dynamics and highlight the need for targeted monitoring and management strategies to mitigate ecological and health risks.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42228186/\n- **PMID 41953693 (2026, Case reports in infectious diseases)** — Myocarditis Following Invasive Group A <i>Streptococcus</i> Infection: Important Differential Diagnostic Distinctions.. Abstract (opening): Nonrheumatic streptococcal pharyngitis-associated myocarditis presents as acute myocarditis within days of Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis, typically resolving with antibiotics and minimal sequelae. It is thought to result from direct bacterial toxin injury rather than autoimmunity. Little epidemiologic data regarding its incidence and prevalence exist, and standardized diagnostic criteria are lacking. In contrast, acute rheumatic fever develops 2-4 weeks after a Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis and is autoimmune-mediated. Diagnosis is based on the revised Jones criteria, and only carditis leads to sequelae, including rheumatic heart disease. We report the case of a 21-year-old male, in a high-resource setting, with invasive Group A Streptococcus who developed carditis with mitral regurgitation and heart failure, for which nonrheumatic streptococcal pharyngitis-associated myocarditis and acute rheumatic fever with carditis were considered. This case highlights the need for clinical differentiation between, and further study of, both entities.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41953693/\n- **PMID 42054317 (2026, PloS one)** — From words to worries: A cross-cultural comparison of parent-child conversations about snakes in early childhood.. Abstract (opening): Fear of animals is shaped by psychological, cultural, and evolutionary influences over time. This study examined whether conversations about commonly feared animals-namely snakes-differ among parents and children from different cultures. Parents and children from the United States (n = 31; 28 Mothers, 2 Fathers, 1 Other; 15 Males, 16 Females, Mage = 71.55 months, SDage = 12.56, Rangeage = 42) and Hong Kong (n = 31, 29 Mothers, 2 Fathers; 17 Males, 14 Females, Mage = 76.48 months, SDage = 12.12, Rangeage = 44) read through a picture book of snakes, spiders, lizards, and turtles, and their conversations were coded for emotional content. Parents and children also completed several questionnaires, including a measure of their fear beliefs toward each animal. Parents and children across sites were more fearful of and used more negative language about snakes and spiders than lizards and turtles, and parents from Hong Kong expressed more fear and used more negative language about snakes than parents from the United States. However, despite more fear and negative language from Hong Kong parents, children from Hong Kong reported being less fearful of snakes (and spiders) than children from the United States, while Hong Kong children reported feeling more afraid of turtles and lizards. These findings highlight the prevalence of snake fears and negative information about snakes across different regions of the world, and potential differences in the kinds of input parents convey to children about snakes across cultures.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42054317/\n- **PMID 42311391 (2026, Frontiers in veterinary science)** — Exploratory values for venous blood gas analysis of clinically healthy Hermann's tortoises (<i>Testudo hermanni</i>).. Abstract (opening): Background
Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is included in the red list of endangered species by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is classified as near-threatened (NT); medical information and knowledge of this species is critically important for preserving the population. Blood gas analysis is being increasingly studied in veterinary medicine, but its main application in chelonian medicine is to assess the health status of marine chelonians; it is not often used for tortoises in field conservational studies or client-owned pet care.Objective
The aim of this study was to obtain exploratory values for pH, pCO₂, pO₂, ctHb, sO₂, Hct, cK+, cNa+, cCa++, cCl-, cGlu, cLac, cBase, mOsm, cHCO₃-, ctCO₂ and anion gap for venous blood from clinically healthy Testudo hermanni using a Radiometer™ ABL735GLAXP® blood gas analyzer to serve as a starting point for further studies.Methods
Samples were collected from 38 healthy individuals at both the end of July and the end of September; blood gas tests were performed immediately after sample collection. The data were analyzed to verify the distribution and obtain the exploratory values.Results
The values obtained were similar to those reported in the literature for analytes such as pH, cK+, cNa+, cCl-, and mOsm; the cGlu value differed from those reported in the literature. For the remaining analytes, reference intervals for Testudo hermanni were unknown and were compared to values obtained for other chelonian species.Conclusion
Exploratory values for venous blood gas analysis were obtained; those values can be used to further investigate this type of diagnostic test and expand the knowledge and methods at the disposal of tortoise clinicians.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42311391/\n- **PMID 41983579 (2026, Zoo biology)** — Retrospective Analysis of Hatchling Success From Chelonian Eggs at a North Carolina Wildlife Clinic 2010 to 2023.. Abstract (opening): The success rate of deposited and harvested chelonian hatchlings between 2010 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed by the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Turtle Rescue Team. These data were analyzed to determine factors that may influence hatchling success including species, month of incubation, mother's status upon arrival, and the mother's presenting complaint. This study includes all wild chelonian species found in North Carolina that have presented as adult, gravid females over a 13-year period. These species include common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), painted turtles (Chrysemys spp.), yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta), cooters (Pseudemys spp.), eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), eastern mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum), common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus), and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). Overall, there were a total of 2453 chelonian eggs and of those, 954 (38.9%) hatched. The greatest egg count numbers were recorded from common snapping turtles (703/2453, 28.7%), eggs collected in May (1300/2453, 53.0%), eggs that were collected from patients euthanized on arrival (1084/2453, 44.2%), and eggs that came from mothers presenting for vehicular trauma (1891/2453, 77.1%). Trauma did not significantly impact overall hatch rates, except for snapping turtles with vehicle-related injuries (p = 2.53e-08). Eastern Box Turtles had significantly lower hatch ratios (p = 0.000157), while aquatic turtles, such as musk and yellow-bellied sliders, fared better under current incubation protocols (p = 0.079 and p = 0.062, respectively). Results of this study represent opportunities to improve hatchling success and rearing under human care by understanding the major factors that contribute to their success.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41983579/\n- **PMID 42405721 (2026, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians)** — CALCINOSIS CIRCUMSCRIPTA IN MULTIPLE SPECIES OF TORTOISES (<i>TESTUDINIDAE</i>).. Abstract (opening): Chelonians are popular as pets and in zoological settings. Calcinosis circumscripta has been identified as a cause of morbidity in various chelonian species. Between 2011 and 2023, 13 tortoise (Testudinidae) samples were submitted to a private diagnostic pathology service, most commonly for a mass around the neck or submandibular region. Sulcata (Centrochelys sulcata) tortoises appeared overrepresented (10 of 13). The masses were radio-opaque, firm and multinodular with a chalky white appearance on section. Ten cases were diagnosed by biopsy and the remaining three cases were diagnosed at necropsy. Mineral analysis of one case confirmed calcium phosphate deposition. Gram-positive cocci were identified in 3 lesions. Treatment consisted of debulking and antibiotics. The lesions recurred in 4 of 10 cases. Calcinosis circumscripta should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a nodular lesion in the connective tissue of chelonians. Surgical removal provided a good quality of life depending on the location of mass. The pathogenesis of calcinosis circumscripta in chelonians is unclear, but the presence of Gram-positive cocci in some of the lesions suggests an association with bacterial granulomas.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42405721/\n- **PMID 41061730 (2026, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association)** — Chelonian sedation and anesthesia-a retrospective assessment of protocols, outcomes, and challenges in 250 cases (2000-2023).. Abstract (opening): Objective
To assess the anesthetic events of chelonians at a university hospital, identify shortcomings with record-keeping, and evaluate anesthesia-related mortality.Methods
This retrospective study evaluated medical records of sedated or anesthetized chelonians between March 2000 and October 2023. Anesthetic parameters were analyzed using cases with complete anesthesia records. Compiled information included patient details, health status, procedure(s), anesthetic agents, anesthesia times, and vitals.Results
220 of the 250 anesthetic events identified had detailed records available for analysis. Comprehensive review of the reports highlighted areas needing improvement with record-keeping and identified the most commonly employed anesthetic agents. Alfaxalone, hydromorphone, dexmedetomidine/medetomidine, midazolam, and ketamine were the most popular for premedication, while propofol and, more recently, alfaxalone were the most common for induction. For maintenance, most cases relied on inhalants, with a preference toward isoflurane, while alfaxalone was favored for injectables. Of the 250 cases reviewed, 237 recovered, 8 were humanely euthanized, and 5 failed to recover. The latter all had preexisting pathology identified at necropsy.Conclusions
Since 2020, data showed a growing trend toward the use of maintenance alfaxalone constant rate infusions over inhalants. Over time, the quality of record-keeping improved, aside from time record-keeping. Standardizing anesthesia sheets with a designated area for research-related values, paired with implementing an automated vitals recording system, is suggested to improve record-keeping.Clinical relevance
General anesthesia can be safely and effectively performed in healthy chelonians. Suggestions for improvement include consistently performing preanesthetic bloodwork to screen for preexisting disease, clearly defining anesthesia start and end times, and reducing subjectivity in record-keeping.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41061730/\n- **PMID 41540932 (2026, Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007))** — Lobation and vascularity of the liver in the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans).. Abstract (opening): The internal organs of chelonians are exposed to intra-coelomic pressure during limb movement and breathing due to the presence of the shell. Pressure on organs alters the hemodynamics and has functional implications. The chelonian liver occupies most of the cranial portion of the coelomic cavity and can be susceptible to this pressure. The morphology of the liver may thus have adapted to accommodate this condition. We therefore investigated hepatic lobation and vascularity in 13 red-eared sliders. We detected right lateral, ventral, and dorsal lobes, and left ventral and dorsal lobes. These lobes received multiple inflows comprising the hepatic portal vein, a pair of lateral abdominal veins, and the hepato-duodenal, hepatic, and gastro-hepatic arteries. The hepatic portal vein bifurcated into right and left branches, distributing to the right lateral lobe and to the right dorsal, right ventral, left ventral, and left dorsal lobes, respectively. The right and left lateral abdominal veins distributed to the right ventral and left ventral lobes, respectively. All arteries supplying the liver arose from the celiac artery. The hepato-duodenal artery supplied the right hepatic lobes, and the hepatic and gastro-hepatic arteries distributed to the left hepatic lobes. Outflow occurred through the right and left hepatic veins, which drain the right lateral and ventral and left hepatic lobes, respectively. In addition to these veins, veins from the right dorsal lobe drained directly into the caudal vena cava. The multiple inflow and outflow pathways detected in this study may be advantageous in maintaining proper hemodynamics even under coelomic pressure.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41540932/\n- **PMID 42442288 (2026, Marine pollution bulletin)** — Correlations between brevetoxin exposure, blood analytes, and reproductive success in nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and their offspring in southwest Florida, USA.. Abstract (opening): Between October 2017 and February 2019, a red tide (Karenia brevis) bloom off southwest Florida resulted in the largest number of sea turtle strandings attributed to a single event. This study aimed to (1) quantify plasma brevetoxin concentrations in nesting loggerhead sea turtles, (2) determine brevetoxin concentrations in unhatched egg contents and dead-in-nest hatchling liver tissue samples, (3) assign foraging grounds to assess differences in brevetoxin exposure, (4) establish correlations between plasma brevetoxin concentrations and a suite of blood analytes in nesting females, and (5) identify impacts of brevetoxin exposure on emergence success. Between 2019 and 2022, blood was collected from nesting loggerheads, along with unhatched eggs and hatchling liver samples from corresponding nests for brevetoxin analysis. Maternal plasma brevetoxin concentrations were low relative to stranded turtles during blooms, ranging from <1.0 to 24.6 ng BTX mL-1, and were higher in loggerheads foraging in the Gulf of Mexico than those using Subtropical Northwest Atlantic Ocean foraging grounds. Brevetoxin concentrations in egg and hatchling livers exceeded previous reports, suggesting maternal transfer of brevetoxins, presumably resulting from accumulation and mobilization from tissues during vitellogenesis. Correlations between brevetoxins and several blood analytes suggest potential effects on immune functions and possible subclinical health impacts, particularly during an active bloom in the 2021 nesting season. Emergence success was negatively correlated with hatchling liver brevetoxin concentrations. These findings suggest red tide events may act as environmental stressors with potential long-term impacts on sea turtle health and reproductive success.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42442288/\n- **PMID 41791234 (2026, American journal of veterinary research)** — Clinical value of blood glucose concentrations in a large population of unhealthy client-owned chelonians.. Abstract (opening): Objective
To describe variations in blood glucose concentrations depending on their clinical diagnosis in a large cohort of chelonians.Methods
Data on species, sex, habitat, blood glucose, appetite, organ category, and disease type data were extracted and analyzed using commercial statistical software. Generalized linear models were built to evaluate the association between blood glucose concentrations and organ system or disease type while accounting for other predictor variables.Results
After exclusion of healthy chelonians and chelonians missing glucose measurements, 967 chelonians were included in this study. The most represented chelonians were red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans; n = 413), followed by African spurred tortoises (Centrochelys sulcata; 102). After multivariable adjustment, compared to chelonians with trauma, chelonians with infectious disease, inflammatory disease, metabolic disease, neoplastic disease, and vascular disease had glucose concentrations that were 33.3% to 48.2% lower. Compared to chelonians with urinary tract involvement, chelonians with different organ systems affected had blood glucose concentrations 16.4% to 61.9% lower. There were no associations between gout, dystocia, or urolithiasis and glucose concentrations. Chelonians with hyperuricemia had blood glucose concentrations 47.8% higher than those without hyperuricemia.Conclusions
Blood glucose concentrations may vary in chelonian patients depending on the type of disease and the organ affected, among other factors. Certain conditions result in increased or decreased glucose concentrations.Clinical relevance
When testing blood glucose in unhealthy chelonians, results should be interpreted considering species and disease context.\n Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41791234/\n\nSource text: `pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_turtle_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt` (Europe PMC first-hand abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01).\n","sources":["Europe PMC — Evidence cluster — Pet turtle (chelonian) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC) (retrieved 2026-08-01)"],"source":{"authority":"Europe PMC","title":"Evidence cluster — Pet turtle (chelonian) husbandry, health & nutrition (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42328054/","retrieved":"2026-08-01","ref":"PMID 42328054","doc_type":"official PDF","source_document":"Peer-reviewed Pet turtle husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)","verification_file":"pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_turtle_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt"},"source_document":"Peer-reviewed Pet turtle husbandry/health/nutrition literature (Europe PMC, first-hand abstracts)","source_file":"pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_turtle_husbandry_health_2026-08-01.txt","tokens_estimated":600,"generated_at":null,"tip":"Use /api/v1/topics to discover more topics. /api/v1/nutrient for precise single-point queries. /api/v1/cross_compare for 2-3 standard comparisons."}