🧬 Mycoplasma in Reptiles: A Vet’s 2025 Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment & Respiratory Disease Prevention | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Mycoplasmosis is a bacterial infection that causes upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in turtles and tortoises, pneumonia in pythons, and arthritis in crocodilians. In tortoises, it's often the leading cause of chronic nasal discharge and respiratory illness. 🐢⚠️

This guide will help you understand how Mycoplasma spreads, what symptoms to look for, how to diagnose it, and what to do to manage or prevent it in your reptile collection. 🧪💡

🔍 What Is Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall, making them fragile outside the host but very challenging to treat. Several species cause disease in reptiles:

• 🧬 M. agassizii — URTD in desert and gopher tortoises
• 🧬 M. testudineum — also causes URTD
• 🧬 M. crocodyli — arthritis in crocodiles
• 🧬 M. alligatoris — pneumonia and joint inflammation in alligators
• 🧬 Unnamed species — respiratory infections in box turtles, pythons

🧠 Symptoms in Turtles & Tortoises

Mycoplasma often appears as a classic respiratory infection with:

• 💧 Clear-to-thick nasal discharge (sometimes bubbling)
• 👁️ Swollen eyelids, ocular discharge
• 📉 Loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy
• 🎯 Misshapen beaks or snouts in chronic cases
• 🧱 Erosion of nostrils and face in severe or long-term infections

In box turtles or tortoises, pushing the head gently into the shell can trigger nasal fluid expression, revealing a hidden infection. 👃

🧫 Diagnosis

Your vet will start with a thorough exam and husbandry review. Testing may include:

• 🧪 Bloodwork — checks immune function, white cell count
• 📸 X-rays — rule out internal issues (e.g., impactions or tumors)
• 🔬 Nasal flush or swab — for PCR testing (DNA detection)
• 🧬 ELISA (serology) — detects antibodies (exposure history)

ELISA is especially useful for desert and gopher tortoises. A positive ELISA does not mean the animal is sick — only that it was exposed. PCR is preferred for confirming active infections. 🧠

💉 Treatment

There is no known cure. Treatment goals are to suppress symptoms and improve quality of life. Most treated animals remain lifelong carriers. 🔄

Treatment Protocol Includes:

• 💉 Long-term injectable antibiotics (45–60 days)
• 🧼 Nasal/choanal flushes with medicated saline
• 💧 Fluids, syringe or tube feeding (for anorexic reptiles)
• 🌡️ Correct temperatures, lighting, and diet

Repeat vet visits are essential. Rechecks every 2 months for a year are recommended. 🗓️

Don't Hibernate:

Do not brumate or hibernate animals that have tested positive — many suffer relapses after winter. ❄️

📈 Prognosis

• ✅ Mild cases with proper husbandry can stabilize long-term
• ⚠️ Severe or untreated infections lead to chronic decline

Even well-managed tortoises may relapse during stress or seasonal changes. 🧠

🛡️ Prevention

1. Quarantine

• 📆 Isolate new animals for 3–6 months
• 🧪 Test all new tortoises for Mycoplasma (ELISA or PCR)

2. Biosecurity

• 🧼 Sanitize cages, food bowls, and tools between uses
• 🧤 Use gloves or wash hands between enclosures

3. Housing

• 🚫 Never house Mycoplasma-positive animals with healthy tortoises
• 🧪 Assume exposed animals are carriers

Disinfect tools with a 0.15% bleach solution followed by clean water rinse. 🧴

👨‍⚕️ Is It Zoonotic?

🧠 No — there is no risk to humans from Mycoplasma spp. in reptiles.

📱 AskAVet.com for Test & Treatment Planning

Suspect respiratory disease in your tortoise? Download the Ask A Vet app to consult reptile veterinarians on PCR testing, follow-up care, and isolation protocols. 🐾💬

With long-term monitoring and smart husbandry, your turtle or tortoise can live well — even with this challenging condition. 🐢💚