Our newest addition that we've only had for about a month is sick, we're taking him to a reptile vet tomorrow. We were told upon adopting him that he is prone to respiratory infections so we kept him a little hotter and indoors and the people we adopted him from said that he only got sick outside. Our other box turtles and Russian tort have never been sick... Why would one our new guy Waldo be more prone to getting sick and how can we avoid this? He's an adult male eastern box turtle (age unknown). We'd love some advice, as we're spending around $100 if not more on vet bills tomorrow and we want him to be healthy.

I have had good luck with fortaz (ceftazidime) with these infections. Mention it to your vet. I don't know about the people you got him from, but I do way better with box turtles if they're outside. Young ones I can keep inside well, but the adults don't do as well inside at least for me.

I had to bring in my Ornate before the weather got too cold, each Fall, or she would get a RI too. During the Summer she was fine. I can't help with this as I never could understand it as she hibernated outside for years in the NY weather with no problem, then when she was 32 years old she couldn't stay out in the cold any more. I would keep your EBT outside in the warm months in a planted enclosure, and bring him in for the Winter if he can't take the cold weather. Just keep him in a warm, humid enclosure inside for the Winter, but a box turtle should really be outside, at least for the warm months. Just MHO.

Thank you for the advice, we have been bringing him outside on really hot days despite the last owners advice and he always sleeps inside. The weather here is just starting to get chilly so he'll probably remain indoors until spring. He's been basking like crazy since yesterday, I think he knows he needs heat. I guess we'll see if the Vet can help us with ideas as well today to keep him from getting RI again. Poor guy has had it several times this year before we adopted him

Other than keeping him warm as Terry already said, make sure that the humidity is appropriate. Too much constant humidity can be a factor in RIs too.

its my understanding that once they get a RI they are more prone to get one again.

So on the way to the vet my husband got in a car crash, totaled the car... Everyone including our turtle Waldo is ok, we had to cancel the vet appt. But the crazy thing is, he seems all better.... I know it may sound absolutely crazy but I think the accident scared the sickness out of him, if that's even possible? It's been a couple days and he's back to his normal self.

That's pretty wild! I'm glad everyone is ok. Bummer about the car, but I guess that's what insurance is for. Keep an eye on Waldo though, just to make sure. RIs can be serious, as I'm sure you're well aware.

We defiantly are constantly checking on him. He still is looking and acting as healthy as can be but we're watching for signs of RI several times a day.

If you can have the turtle tested for RV to be on the safe side.