If you own a turtle like the Spotted turtle then you should talk with your vet to learn about common illnesses that can affect reptiles including snakes, lizards and turtles. For instance, mouth rot can occur frequently in reptiles. It is an inflammation of the mouth or oral cavity. It often appears as small hemorrhages on the gums or as large amounts of mucus in the mouth. Mouth rot is generally a secondary infection caused by an underlying problem such as malnutrition, stress, poor living environment, or trauma. Once the base cause is identified and corrected or treated then the lesions and abscesses in the mouth will be treated. If the mouth rot is severe surgery may be necessary to remove bone or deeper tissues that have been affected. Antibiotics may need to be injected into the area or surrounding muscles. Your vet services St. Cloud, MN may recommend flushing the mouth often and applying an antibiotic cream.