Food Stuck in Box Turtle's Mouth

nslimmo

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Recently I've noticed my box turtle has been getting food stuck in her lower lip for several days, to the point where it becomes crusty and makes her breathe with her mouth open. She had a respiratory infection in December and finished her antibiotic treatments earlier this month so I'm thinking it might have something to do with that? Please let me know if anyone's had experience with this and/or knows a way to get the food out of her mouth- I hate seeing her uncomfortable like that!
 

zovick

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Recently I've noticed my box turtle has been getting food stuck in her lower lip for several days, to the point where it becomes crusty and makes her breathe with her mouth open. She had a respiratory infection in December and finished her antibiotic treatments earlier this month so I'm thinking it might have something to do with that? Please let me know if anyone's had experience with this and/or knows a way to get the food out of her mouth- I hate seeing her uncomfortable like that!
Would a toothpick do it? Or maybe a wet cotton swab? Or a small pair of tweezers?
 

nslimmo

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Would a toothpick do it? Or maybe a wet cotton swab? Or a small pair of tweezers?
Hmm those could work. I've heard of people using bread clips too but I'm just afraid of injuring the inside of her mouth and causing some kind of oral infection.. i'll try the wet cotton swab and see
 

zovick

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The r
Hmm those could work. I've heard of people using bread clips too but I'm just afraid of injuring the inside of her mouth and causing some kind of oral infection.. i'll try the wet cotton swab and see
The roof of the mouth is pretty tough in turtles and tortoises. I don't think a toothpick will injure it unless you are extremely rough and/or push it really far back into the mouth.
 

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