Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a box turtle on Saturday that has a swollen bump on one side of his/her head. I did some reading last night a found out it was probably an Ear infection/Abscess. I also read that it was probably not some thing I could deal with on my own and that the turtle needed a trip to a vet. I got an appointment for the 22nd but I had some questions. Any help is greatly appreciated.

1. What should the vet course of action be? (Some web sites said antibiotics others said surgery should be done)
2. What much should it cost? (I know it might vary but a general idea would be nice)
3. If they did do surgery about how long would it take for the turtles skin to heal?
4. Is an ear infection contagious? (A web site said that it was the result of a prolonged upper repertoire infection) Right now, the turtle is in quarantine but I would like to put him in an enclosure with another Box turtle if he/she is not contagious.

Do not put this turtle in with any other turtles for now. Ear infections/respiratory infections can be highly contagious.

Keep this turtle warm and keep the tank humidity up, dry air won't help things at all. Make sure that it soaks at least once a day for now.

Be patient, these things take quite some time to clear up.

Best wishes,

PHKiwi

Ear infection is a common problem in box turtles. Your vet is going to problably lance the ear and get all of the puss out (it looks like cheese!) And then you are going to have to clean the ear every day until it is healed. If you don't clean out the infected ear, it wil just get swollen again and will have to be lanced again. Good luck!

The vet should lance the abscess, thoroughly clean the wound, pack it with an antibiotic ointment, culture the pus to indentify the bacteria so that the appropriate antibiotic can be prescribed, show you how to keep the wound clean, and also show you the proper way to administer the antibiotics.Follow the instructions carefully, and administer the full course of antibiotics!
Ask any and all questions even if you think you might sound silly...
Our vet stressed the importance of keeping the wound open and irrigated (vet should be able to give you saline and syringe for that purpose)for as long as possible, to avoid re-infection.
Providing a warmer-than-usual basking spot will allow your turtle to induce its own 'fever' if need be: added warmth will also ensure that the medication circulates through the bloodstream.
I can't comment on cost, because that can vary so much regionally.
Avoid contact with other turtles. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your turtle.
The wound should be healed within a few weeks.
I would also recommend doing as much as you can to keep your turtles as healthy as possible in the future.
Good luck!
Stephanie

2 of my easterns got ear infections coming out of hibernation 2 years in a row. I was orally giving them teramycin which seemed to clear it up, but it ended up coming back at a later date.I did not want to go the "lance route" The last time I gave the antibiotics to him as I was holding his head I accidentally squeezed the ear area, it felt like I was poppin a zit or something but I didnt think much of it. The when I finally got his mouth open I noticed some white stuff in his mouth. So I guess what happened is that I squeezed the puss out from the ear into the mouth. The 2nd one I just lightly squeezed the ear and the same thing happened. I am not saying I recommend this procedure but mine havent got an ear infection since. Any thoughts on this?
PS-after the puss was removed they were like new turtles, must be a lot of pressure in there when its full of puss.

I think you were very lucky that your turtles didn't get even sicker from accidentally ingesting the caseated pus,or creating an even deeper abscess or worse infection by tearing tissue.
In the process of irrigating our turtles incision, saline would shoot out of his mouth and/or nostrils, which was okay, according to our vet.Evidently there are connecting passageways from ear to throat to nose in turtles too!
I still think that minor surgery is necessary in the case of ear abscesses, to remove all the pus and avoid recurring infetion.
Interesting story, with a lucky outcome.
Stephanie

Yeah it actually surprised me to when I saw the white stuff in the mouth, it took me a few mins. to realize what it was. I guess I am lucky(so far, knock on wood).

I have lanced swollen ears on my boxies on average of 1, maybe 2 times a year for the past several years - Based on what I read, I thought it was a requirement. Last year, I kept on thinking - what would wild boxes do in the wild? So last year, 2 of my boxies got an ear infection. One that I have for 23 years and another one I have kept for about 5 years. I did nothing. I left them alone last year in my yard. (I have to admit, I was worried - especially for my old timer) But guess what - both swollen ears healed by themselves. They came out of hibernation recently and are in perfect health. Just for your info..... Harry

Harry,
Do you think the abscesses ruptured during hibernation, and then healed up?
It interests me because two of my wild rescues have slightly distorted skulls on one side, and what comes to mind is an old, but healed, ear infection.
Promise you'll keep in touch the next few months and let us know if your turtle stays healthy or not.
Thanks for sharing the information.
Stephanie

Hi Stephanie,
Absolutely NOT. Both of them got the ear infection early in the summer (early June) of last year. I WATCHED them daily to see if the infection would affect their appetite or impede them from eating. It didn't - otherwise, I WOULD have lanced it. By September, the swelling would down substantially. By November, just before hibernation, the ear infections were GONE!. It was as if nothing happened. But to the inexperienced - I think it is better to see a vet. I know that if their behavior would have changed in regards to their eating or looked kind of sluggish, I would have immediately lanced them. By the way, I wish I had my digital camera charged up yesterday.... 5 pairs of my boxies were mating at the same time all within 2 square yards of each other. The others must have been too embarrassed to join in. It was a sight to see. As for my old timer, he was one of the participants. Harry

Thanks for clarifying!
That's really interesting: I wonder, did you notice them basking alot during the healing process? Its said that they will induce fever to combat infection....And thanks for making the point about they're activity levels remaining unchanged.
Thanks for the follow up.
Regards
Stephanie

Stephanie,
You know, I never really zeroed in on that. But the more I think about it, the more I think the opposite is true. They were generally resting under some big bushes I have for them that they use for shade a little more than usual. Actually, CAN NOT really be sure. Darn it, good question.... If I ever get a boxie with a swollen ear again (hope not) and decide to let nature take its course, I'll observe them more in regards to whether they bask more. Harry