Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello all. ive been a member 4 a while now and ive been chekn on the new posts pretty frequently since i joind. my boxies are doing great becuz of all u boxie "pros"(cant think of a better wrd) so i want 2 say THANK U ALL SOOO MUCH!!! but im i need ur guys help agen. a few weeks ago i saw a posting on craigslist about a guy selling a russian tort. but the pic on the post was of a 3toed boxie. so outta curiosity i called the guy and askd a few ?s bout the "tort". so long story short, i saved this big female 3 toed that was being kept as a tort. (no wading dish,bad diet and a laundry basket as a pen w/ no uv/heat source) she was in pretty bad shape. but shes made a good recovery.not a full recovery yet cuz i just got her bak frm the vet for a ear abscess lancing. so my ? is how shud i be keeping her? shes indoors right now but shud i keep her on sum kinna substrate, a damp towel, or just nothing? hopefull this will be her last hurdle thill shes 100% any n all info will be appreciated. thank u

I'm surprised that the vet did not send you home with instructions.

Common sense dictates that you do not want anything to enter or adhere to the open wound...moistened paper towels or even newspaper should be fine as a substrate while the wound heals.

Steph is right. Keep her in this "hospital tank" until the open wound heals- usually takes a few weeks or less. Make sure she has a shallow dish to get into for drinking and soaking since newspaper is drying. Wet paper towels will need to be changed a few times a day.

Be sure no flys can get to her and lay eggs on her wound. Good luck! Tess

>>I'm surprised that the vet did not send you home with instructions.
>>
>>Common sense dictates that you do not want anything to enter or adhere to the open wound...moistened paper towels or even newspaper should be fine as a substrate while the wound heals.

thanks 4 da input. how shud i be giving her the antibiotics? its liquid fed by a syringe. its really hard to give it to her. the vet techs idnt say that i can drop it in her food so i idk if that ment that it is an option or not.

thanx 4 the reply. i was only instructed on how to apply meds by da vet tech. i calld da vet and they basically said wat u said. i had her on news paper but it seemd 2 be drying her out a bit so shes on wet papertowels. speaking of meds, im giving her antibiotics now but its taken orally. and im having da hardst time givin it 2 her. my other half and i manage 2 gently wedge the syringe in her mouth but it takes a good 20mins. how should i be doing this?

Unfortunately, box turtles get ear abscesses. Seems to me dirty water is the main culprit. Give the meds, and I am surprised the doctor didn't mention addition flushes of the ear - maybe a day or two later to make sure that all of the material is out. Definitely keep the turtle in a clean environment, remove any old food and droppings, and change the water every day.

I wouldn't worry too much, as they get better quickly, seemingly no worse for the experience.

Bill Griffin

thanx. shes doing really well now. i still have her in the hospital tank. i soak her 2ice daily and she has a water dish for her to soak in as well. i think im going to wait until her cut is fully heals b4 i put her back in the tuetle box. wat do u think? the vet techs just instructed me on how to giv her meds and thats all. it didnt hit me till later that i shouldve askd about the after care.

Definately wait until it is fully healed. You may want to ask about an additional flushing to make sure it is fully cleaned out.