| Leopard tortoises can be prone to developing "Runny | | | | conjunction with "mouth rot" (stomatitis). |
| Nose Syndrome" more than other species. This illness | | | | Possible causes of Runny Nose Syndrome: |
| can cause major problems for your pet if it is not | | | | - Dusty conditions which can cause the mucus |
| treated quickly. "RNS" is not strictly a disease but a | | | | membranes to become irritated |
| way of describing a number of symptoms indicating | | | | - Any sort of foreign body lodged in the nostrils. |
| an upper respiratory tract infection. There can be a | | | | - Too high humidity |
| number of causes for this but if left unchecked can | | | | - Inappropriate temperature within the enclosure |
| cause pneumonia and death. | | | | - Inappropriate photoperiods or lack of sunlight |
| It can occur in all tortoise species but is most often | | | | - Too small an enclosure especially an outside one |
| prevalent in the Leopard (Geocheelone Pardalis) due | | | | with damp grass |
| to its inability to cope well with damp and high | | | | - Overcrowded enclosure |
| humidity. Always be sure to finish any treatment | | | | - Malnutrition - inappropriate diet/feeding |
| advised by your vet as it will easily return. | | | | - Stress One of the main ways to avoid your pet |
| Once your pet has had runny nose syndrome they | | | | getting this illness is not to mix species in the same |
| can become a carrier which means they may not | | | | enclosure. If you get a new pet tortoise keep it in |
| show symptoms but will be highly infectious to other | | | | quarantine before introducing it to an established |
| tortoises. For this reason an infected pet will need to | | | | group. You will need to quarantine it for at least 6 |
| be quarantined from the rest of the group as "RNS" | | | | months as it may be a carrier or have recently had |
| will spread rapidly amongst a colony. | | | | Runny Nose Syndrome. |
| Do not ever ignore a runny nose thinking it will go | | | | If you are ever unsure if your Leopard tortoise has |
| away of its own volition as this may prove fatal for | | | | been unwell or is developing this illness consult your |
| your prized pet tortoise. This illness can also occur in | | | | vet as soon as possible. |