If the turtle seems basically healthy and is eating, I definately wouldn't worry about injections and antibiotics alone aren't going to make the lump go away.

In fact, if the turtle is eating ok and has a clear nose and bright eyes, no signs of respiratory illness, then this isn't an emergency.

I have lanced a few of these and in a couple of cases I procrastinated until they ruptured on their own and I brought them in, cleaned them out with peroxide or chlorahex/nolvasan and kept them inside until it looked like they had healed and
there was no sign of infection.

I am pretty sure, after observing turtles for five year and reading alot, that these "ear infections" occur in the wild and they eventually harden and and fall off, much like those cysts that show up on their necks do.

The key is, what is the overall health of your turtle?

Also regarding handling a stubborn turtles head and neck, you'd be surprised what an experienced reptile vet or turtle handler can teach you.

I worked with a great reptile vet a couple of years ago (who I just learned has moved to Alaska ) and she taught me some great techniques for handling retracted heads for medication purposes. Things I would have been afraid to try on my own.

This vet also taught me that you DO NOT have to inject baytril, you can give it by mouth and it works just fine.

Two years ago I had 1 three toed and 3 ornates that I had kept in for the winter because they were showing signs of respiratory illness.

They got worse so I contacted this vet that I had on my list.

One was so bad, I feel he was close to death and the vet wasn't sure he was going to make it either. The vet placed some sort of antibiotic directly in his trachea and this was no easy feat as this turtle did not want to pull his head out and once you got his head out and his mouth open, he held his breath for minutes, meaning that his trachea was not open.

It took three of us to hold this turtle in position and wait until he decided to open his trachea and the vet then inserted the medication. She then instructed me on how to administer baytril to all four turtle by mouth. I had force fed before but she taught me how to be more comfortable sticking a syringe farther down their throat. But you have to be able to get their neck extended to do that.

Anyway, the sickest turtle did recover nicely as did the others.

The ideal vet is one that doesn't mind teaching you things and working with you as a partner. One that views your group of turtles as a herd and is cost sensitive.

I had a crisis this week that I will write about later, but in short, I have the great joy of administering flagyl to several box turtles for the next 10 days, and two of them I've never medicated or force fed, they are very strong and I've had a hell of a time getting them medicated, so I'm probably going to have to get someone in my family to help.

Anyway, I may have my spouse take a photo of me holding the turtle the way the vet taught me to get the neck extended.

[ Show Entire Thread ]