Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey All,

I have a couple of eastern box turtles that recently have developed upper respiratory infections. I have had them seen by a vet that sees reptiles...not a reptile specialist but still knows alot about them.

They are adults eastern box turtles. I have them now on injectable Ampicillin (.2 cc once a day - turtles about 400 grams) as an antibiotic for treatment...figured about 3 weeks of antibiotics. The problem I am having is not giving the shots every day....I work at a veterinary hospital and going into the profession. It is force feeding them. I have taken their normal diet (fresh fruit/vegetables) and blended it with additional vitamin and calcium supplements. I have some 12 cc curve tip syringes that I have been trying to use to get in their mouth so I can give the about 4 cc of food. They are clamping their mouths down and/or pulling their heads into their shells. Any advice/ideas on force feeding?

My vet told me it was upper respiratory infections. They have swollen eyes with a little puss (white in color) and a few bubbles coming out of their nose...and the raspy type sound.

Any additional ideas/information would be appreciated.

I have removed these turtles from my eastern colony and placed them in a quarentine area housed together. Should I house them differently/seperate? If some get healthier faster then others should I move them from the sicker turtles?

Thanks,
Scott

Scott,

If the turtles were sick together, I'd move them all to a sick bay. Keep them there until both are healthy.

As far as force feedings, I would avoid it unless they have gone months without eating. They will do just fine. As a matter of fact, it's a good indication that they are feeling better when they begin taking food and finally get to eating what they normally eat.

I have only force fed on 2 occasions. Once because the turtle went off feed for 6 months. Once because I got a rescue that was so week and sick and underweight that I thought it was best.

If your turtles have only been off feed for weeks or even a month, give them the meds and watch for a turnaround.

Paul

I've only ever force-fed a youngster, and once I got the pureed food into his mouth, he would swallow it okay.
"The Box Turtle Manual", by Phillip de Vosjoli & Roger Klingenberg, DVM. costs less than $10, and has great instructions and photo illustrations on proper technique and instruments to use. You can get it from Amazon.com and have it by Monday, and it would be a great basic reference for you.
Keep in mind that vitamin A deficiency may not be the only culprit, and that respiratory problems are also frequently present in easterns that aren't kept in an adequately humid environment.
I would isolate them if you can, and make sure they're all adequately hydrated, and soak the sick ones frequently. Avoid using chlorinated tap water for soaks: you can "condition" it by letting it stand in open containers for 24 hrs. before using it (this allows chlorine to evaporate off). Low tech, but works well.
Good Luck

I adopted a couple sickly ornates and have had good luck using tweezers to force feed meal worms and bite size pieces of raw liver - not real true force feedings - more like assisted feeding when their eyes were closed due to infection and they couldn't see their food. Good luck. Mary Beth

I adopted a couple sickly ornates and have had good luck using tweezers to force feed meal worms and bite size pieces of raw liver - not real true force feedings - more like assisted feeding when their eyes were closed due to infection and they couldn't see their food. Good luck. Mary Beth

Sorry did not read the rest of the post.
You don't to force feed them, unless its been about a month or longer, or they are extreemly thin - then I would still hesitate in force feeding them - let me qualify this statement, by saying I am not a vet, but do have some experienc. The cold should clear up in a week, during which time, I would continue to try feeding them - live foods seem to work while they are sick. Definately keep them separated, and don't worry some captive box turtles may get colds every so often, just give them their shots and keep them hydrated and warm.

Bill G.