Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I hope somebody has an idea and can help me with this. My baby painted has been living quite healthily since November last year. Eats well, swims well, basks well. Anyway, this morning I notice that his left cheek seems to be swollen...you can actually see the lining of the swollen part (like a ball on the side of his face). Other than this, he's still fine...behavior's very active. His other tankmates (stinkpot and Mississippi Map)as well as other aquatic babies I'm growing the same way don't have this symptom. Any ideas? Thanks so much.

JS

his ear it is an abcess and must be seen by a vet to have
it lanced. Please make an appt ASAP.

One of my Painted turtles went through this many years
ago and has not had the problem since.

Linda

Hey Linda,

After doing some research, I agree it looks like an abscess. I was wondering if you knew whether it is preferred to let the abscess swell and become ripe (white and bulging) and then remove it, or is the process better performed while in its early stages (where the contents should be liquid)?

Thank you very much.

JS

I would act now. It will be much easier on the turtle
and probably less recuperation time if its taken care of
early.

Make sure you use a vet that has experience with turtles.

Good luck and let us know how everything goes.

Linda

Heh...the vet was great. He took care of it in no time and now my baby's head doesn't look like a weird peanut anymore. Vet told me a substantial amount of solid pus came out of such a tiny head.

Cool beans. Money well spent.

Johnny