Necrotic stomatitis or “mouth rot” can occur when a Painted Turtle’s immune system becomes weak and is unable to regulate the bacteria in the mouth or oral cavity. The bacteria can lead to an infection, which may eventually turn into mouth rot. Mouth rot occurs in the mouth and on the inside edge of the lip area. It appears as inflammation and small hemorrhages or large amounts of mucus or pus. Symptoms may include anorexia, open mouth, lack of tongue flicking, or even a swollen head. If your Painted Turtle has any of these symptoms call your vet right away. In most cases a diagnosis is straightforward based on the physical signs of the infection as described above. Your vet may order blood work, take a culture of the mucus, or even biopsy an infected for additional treatment purposes. Always talk to your veterinary clinic Bucks County, PA if you have questions. See details here.