Park tortoises had 'respiratory tract disease'

Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - While questions remain unanswered regarding the Harry Giddey Park animals and the number of tortoises euthanised, Mossel Bay Advertiser has been reliably informed that the contagious disease that affected the park's tortoises was mycoplasma, also known as upper respiratory tract disease (URTD).

The Advertiser previously reported that a large number of tortoises from the park were euthanised by the Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) Mossel Bay branch following the handing over to the SPCA of the tortoises and all other animals at the park by Mossel Bay Municipality, which is the authority over the park.

GRSPCA Mossel Bay branch manager Elize Goosen said the tortoises tested positive for a contagious disease and euthanasia was necessary to prevent the potential spread to wild populations of tortoises.

According to a research paper published in The Veterinary Journal, Mycoplasmosis and upper respiratory tract disease of tortoises: A review and update, it is a complex disease of both captive and wild tortoises.

CapeNature spokesperson Luke Folb sent the research paper to the Advertiser when it asked for more information on the disease.

The paper noted the disease "is one of the most extensively characterised infectious diseases" of turtles, terrapins and tortoises.

The Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital's website notes that URTD usually starts with a clear nasal discharge that may last for weeks. It noted some tortoises may have bubbles blowing out of their nose and a badly infected tortoise may have "its mouth slightly open because mucus secretions have blocked both of its nostrils".

One of the tortoises at Harry Giddey Park, showing a nasal discharge. Photo: Leon Rossouw

'Lethargic'
It noted: "Over time, an ill tortoise may become lethargic and stop eating. In some tortoises, the disease can erode away the nasal sinuses and create a chronic infection known as sinusitis." It noted that once a tortoise becomes infected, it is a carrier of the disease for the rest of its life.

According to another article on MiDOG Animal Diagnostics' website on the disease, if left untreated it "may result in serious health complications, and in severe cases even death. Tortoises are often symptomatic only when the disease is advanced, and even when diagnosed, treatment can be difficult if the strains of bacteria present are antibiotic-resistant."

The research paper in The Veterinary Journal noted that "factors that appear to contribute to outbreaks of URTD include environmental stress, human impacts, exposure to heavy metals and other toxicants and the escape or release of captive tortoises".

The articles indicate that while treatment is possible, it is a long process, including flushing of the eyes and nose, antibiotic courses, nebulisation, analgesia and supportive care in the form of warmth, fluid therapy and nutritional support. The disease can reoccur following treatment and infected tortoises should not be introduced to healthy tortoises to prevent the spread of the disease.

A tortoise with watery eyes at Harry Giddey Park. Photo: Leon Rossouw