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Has anyone keeping boxies outdoors ever run into a situation where a boxie developed an infection (ear absess/ eye infection) after a stressful period (hibernation) and they let the animal fight the infection on it's own with any success?
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Ed
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Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Actually no. But I have let a couple of boxies that developed ear infections in the middle of last summer heal on their own. Not only that, I haven't had a single case (knock on wood) develop this year. Normally, I get one (maybe two) that I have to lance each year. However, I suggest you watch them carefully if you decide to let them fight off the infection on their own. I did. I was ready to lance the ear infections if I thought they were getting too weak. The two that I let heal on their own last year seem very strong/powerful this year - they have huge appetites. I think I would lance if they were right out hibernation. I wouldn't let them fight it off in that condition after hibernation. My opinion only. Harry

Ed,
One of my females emerged from hibernation this spring with no visible signs of any trouble, and after a few weeks started to develop a slight swelling in one side. She's an older turtle who had signs of had an ear infection in the past which must have resolved itself, since she's a WC rescue.
Anyway, since her appetite was great and her activity level was normal I decided to just keep an eye on her. The swelling never 'grew' past a certain size, and in fact went away, and now her ear looks the way it usually does: slightly misshapen from the previous occurance.
Stephanie

I remember having a conversation in regards to swollen ears in the past with you. Like I said, I have been lucky this year with ear infections. But I'm beginning to think that there may be a lot of unnecessary "lancing" being done. I haven't had one that came down with an ear infection as early as yours, but I'm glad someone tried it my way in leaving it alone. I mean, if the swelling doesn't go past a "certain" size, and if the boxie is eating well and looks really active, leave it alone. Did you notice if your boxie stayed longer in the sun in regards to it fighting off the infection by itself? I believe you asked me that question the last time. I would have been extremely cautious in regards to leaving it alone right out hibernation, but if it ate as well as you said it did, why not? Normally mine don't start out with an appetite like yours right out of hibernation so I would have leaned toward lancing - But that is in MY situation. I believe the trick is KNOWING the overall physical condition of your pet. My opinion only. Harry

Stephanie- the past message was meant for you. The "Hi Stephaine" is missing from the beginning of my message. Harry

Harry, actually it was partly after reading of your experience that I decided to adopt a 'wait and see' approach.
The turtle in question emerged from hibernation without any visible problems and a healthy appetite.
I suspect that the infection never became caseated: she did do a little more basking than some of the others.

A little background here, too. A couple of years ago, a different turtle had started to show swelling at the end of summer: I took him to the vet who performed the usual surgery, but who remarked that the matter he removed was not of the a'usual' consistancy (ie: not caseated). In fact, I ended up taking the turtle back for a second procedure a few monthes later. As a result of this experience, I had decided that I'd consider waiting if the situation arose again, to avoid subjecting anyone to unnessary procedures.

Two turtles developed swelling this year in mid spring, and, since both were eating well and had normal activity levels, I opted to wait. They're both females who produced two clutches each, too, and I was very aware of this in contemplating timing of any surgery.
One case resolved itself, the other didn't, and required lancing when she exhibited signs of discomfort and difficulty eating. She actually did alot more basking.
Both are doing fine at this point.
You really do have to "know your pets", though, so this is not an approach that would be right for everyone.
Stephanie

Hi Stephanie, I agree - NOT for everyone and every boxie. I am beginning to believe that these swollen ears are caused by excessive heat. This has been a relatively cool summer here in the northeast and I haven't had a swollen ear yet on any of my boxies. Every year when it is hot, I get at least one. By the way, my second batch of eggs hatched today. ALL 4 of them. Again, they all hatched exactly 53 days from the days they were laid. Different batches 5 days apart. (total of seven baby boxies hatching) I know I lost one batch - they were all dug out of the ground & broken the day after I saw the first batch laid. They were only about 12 inches away from the 1st & 2nd batches. All three batches were only with a couple of square feet away from each other. I'm thinking of fencing in an area of 2 square yards of where the batches were laid. I have a feeling my other females laid eggs in the general same area. Very possible a female boxie dug them out by accident in trying to build her own nest. Anyway, in regards to ear infections - just my opinion. Harry

I totally forgot about this post. I put it up just before vacation and just got back.

The female in question never hibernated this year. I thought I was going to loose her for sure. She had a runny nose and the ear absess after the winter but was strong and eating. I have my Boxies in a very natural setup so decided to see if she could fight it off herself. She was basking, eating and drinking.

With the ear abcess I saw it form early and came up with an idea. I lightly pressed on the tympanum while teasing it to open its mouth and found that the material was being forced through the eustachian tube. I found this by accident while working with another turtle. It worked for a while but then seemed to solidify over time.

The runny nose seemed to increase and appetite seemed to deminish. The eyes started to become infected. She was treated with antibiotics and all the symptoms cleared up except the abcess. It is not getting bigger but I did not want to lance it unless it was absolutely necessary.

With your guys/gals input I'm going to let it go until about a month before hibernation and then make a decision on a course of action.

Thanks all.
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Ed
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Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care