Cut Behind ear

[lymcBoris]

Please could I have advice from some of your experts on what to do about my 4 year old male Horsfield tortoise Boris. He has always been healthy and growing. No problems, but going through his seasonal barging, stomping and walking for hours behaviour at this time of year he scratched his head on his humid hide and it left a small cut near his ear. I noticed this a couple of weeks ago but hoped it would heal quickly. I bathed him this morning and noticed a very strong odour from his head, like fishy urine! His ears look quite red and he had a pink look to his head. He does puff up a bit when On bathing him. But the smell is bad and his under she'll smells of urine also. I bathed him again and had a sniff, it's still a slight smell to him. Now I'm worried sick he has an infection. He didn't seem bothered by this as he was scrambling to get his leaves and flowers after his bath and was quite annoyed at me holding him back. He munched most of his breakfast and carried on his usual wandering/ basking. Should I take him to the vet? Is there anything I can purchase to dab on his small cut or bathe him in? Can I wash his head with diluted salt water?
Please can anyone help as I can't function if one of my creatures are showing any signs of illness. It worries me sick. My son was looking for football socks this morning and I couldn't function as I was too busy sniffing a tortoise!
Any expert advice would be very much appreciated. I'm happy to take him to the local vet, but they don't specialise in exotics and I would worry they might do more damage! I have dogs, guinea pigs, a fish and Boris. They are all precious and I wouldn't hesitate in taking them for treatment and would do anything to ensure they have the best life possible. When any of them are not their usual self, I seem to crumble. I'm a grown working woman with a normal life and cope with many things but animals being sick is my ultimate stomach wrenching weakness! Sorry, rambling over. Just don't want anyone to think I'm a clueless person. I've included photos of Boris and his enclosure which is in our home in Scotland. He also has a very large outdoor run, which he has been out in a few times this summer, but weather permitting. Thanks, Lynne

 

[zovick]

Please could I have advice from some of your experts on what to do about my 4 year old male Horsfield tortoise Boris. He has always been healthy and growing. No problems, but going through his seasonal barging, stomping and walking for hours behaviour at this time of year he scratched his head on his humid hide and it left a small cut near his ear. I noticed this a couple of weeks ago but hoped it would heal quickly. I bathed him this morning and noticed a very strong odour from his head, like fishy urine! His ears look quite red and he had a pink look to his head. He does puff up a bit when On bathing him. But the smell is bad and his under she'll smells of urine also. I bathed him again and had a sniff, it's still a slight smell to him. Now I'm worried sick he has an infection. He didn't seem bothered by this as he was scrambling to get his leaves and flowers after his bath and was quite annoyed at me holding him back. He munched most of his breakfast and carried on his usual wandering/ basking. Should I take him to the vet? Is there anything I can purchase to dab on his small cut or bathe him in? Can I wash his head with diluted salt water?
Please can anyone help as I can't function if one of my creatures are showing any signs of illness. It worries me sick. My son was looking for football socks this morning and I couldn't function as I was too busy sniffing a tortoise!
Any expert advice would be very much appreciated. I'm happy to take him to the local vet, but they don't specialise in exotics and I would worry they might do more damage! I have dogs, guinea pigs, a fish and Boris. They are all precious and I wouldn't hesitate in taking them for treatment and would do anything to ensure they have the best life possible. When any of them are not their usual self, I seem to crumble. I'm a grown working woman with a normal life and cope with many things but animals being sick is my ultimate stomach wrenching weakness! Sorry, rambling over. Just don't want anyone to think I'm a clueless person. I've included photos of Boris and his enclosure which is in our home in Scotland. He also has a very large outdoor run, which he has been out in a few times this summer, but weather permitting. Thanks, Lynne

It doesn't look too serious from what I can see in the photos. You can put Neosporin on the cut once or twice a day to help it heal.

I would not take the tortoise to a vet for this unless he stops eating and begins acting lethargic. As you said, going to a vet not experienced with tortoise care could be more harmful for the tortoise than the cut is.

 

[lymcBoris]

It doesn't look too serious from what I can see in the photos. You can put Neosporin on the cut once or twice a day to help it heal.

I would not take the tortoise to a vet for this unless he stops eating and begins acting lethargic. As you said, going to a vet not experienced with tortoise care could be more harmful for the tortoise than the cut is.

Thank you for reply. I really appreciate it. I will look to purchase some neosporin. I'll keep a close eye on Boris.

 

[wellington]

I agree with zovick. If it gets worse then a vet may be needed.
Keep it clean and use the neosporin right after cleaning it. Yes I would use it at least 2 times a day.

 

[Maro2Bear]

@zovick ✅

 

[Yvonne G]

The urine smell might be indicative of too much urine being held inside. Put him in a tub of water that comes up to the middle of his sides and leave him there past the time he starts scrambling to get out. Then from now on always spritz water over his food when you feed him. Does he have fresh water available daily? Russians are notorious for shunning the water bowl, but water on his food will help.

 

[lymcBoris]

The urine smell might be indicative of too much urine being held inside. Put him in a tub of water that comes up to the middle of his sides and leave him there past the time he starts scrambling to get out. Then from now on always spritz water over his food when you feed him. Does he have fresh water available daily? Russians are notorious for shunning the water bowl, but water on his food will help.

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your expertise. I usually bathe him every few days for approx 30 mins in a large tub with the water depth like you said. He always has fresh water available that I change every morning when I give him his greens. I usually rinse his weeds from the garden before I give them to him so they are usually always damp. He trudges through his water dish throughout the day and usually does a poo in it if he's not been soaked that day.
Can I ask you what the equivalent to neosporin is in the UK please? I have just ordered Tamodine wound cleanser from Amazon. Reviews stated safe for reptiles. Is this ok? Can I clean his head with cooled boiled salt water? Thanks

 

[zovick]

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your expertise. I usually bathe him every few days for approx 30 mins in a large tub with the water depth like you said. He always has fresh water available that I change every morning when I give him his greens. I usually rinse his weeds from the garden before I give them to him so they are usually always damp. He trudges through his water dish throughout the day and usually does a poo in it if he's not been soaked that day.
Can I ask you what the equivalent to neosporin is in the UK please? I have just ordered Tamodine wound cleanser from Amazon. Reviews stated safe for reptiles. Is this ok? Can I clean his head with cooled boiled salt water? Thanks

Can you get this product in the UK? See below for link

Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial Reptile Wound and Skin Care - Vetericyn Animal Wellness

Jumpstart the healing of lamp burns, scale rot, and the most common wounds pet reptiles encounter with Vetericyn's Reptile Wound and Skin care.

vetericyn.com

 

[lymcBoris]

The urine smell might be indicative of too much urine being held inside. Put him in a tub of water that comes up to the middle of his sides and leave him there past the time he starts scrambling to get out. Then from now on always spritz water over his food when you feed him. Does he have fresh water available daily? Russians are notorious for shunning the water bowl, but water on his food will help.

I noticed from older posts similar to mines that you had advised that the cuts can be caused by the tortoise climbing and trying to climb up the enclosure sides, slipping without time to pull it's head in causing the cuts. This is exactly it! Thank you for solving the mystery. Poor Boris has been trying to climb and standing on his back legs. I don't know what else to do to stop him doing this.

 

[lymcBoris]

Can you get this product in the UK? See below for link

Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial Reptile Wound and Skin Care - Vetericyn Animal Wellness

Jumpstart the healing of lamp burns, scale rot, and the most common wounds pet reptiles encounter with Vetericyn's Reptile Wound and Skin care.

vetericyn.com

Thank you. I'll look for it.

 

[lymcBoris]

Can you get this product in the UK? See below for link

Vetericyn Plus® Antimicrobial Reptile Wound and Skin Care - Vetericyn Animal Wellness

Jumpstart the healing of lamp burns, scale rot, and the most common wounds pet reptiles encounter with Vetericyn's Reptile Wound and Skin care.

vetericyn.com

Just purchased this from Amazon.

 

[wellington]

Just an fyi any over the counter antibiotic cream would do.

 

[Sarah2020]

Young torts are notorious escape artists I would add some artificial plants used in fish tanks to help dampen the fall and provide a covered hiding place and remove 1 x hide out and the granit stone which I think could be causing blood.
I can not see the enclosure walls but if it is all glass then get some masking tape or black card to surround the glass a few inches high to stop it seeing out. Also place a hide or plant mid way in the enclosure to stop end to end enclosure vision. It just makes the enclosure more fun to be in.
The tort shell is starting to pyramid so check humidity and soaking as your aiming for smooth slow growth. This care sheet will help you check settings and temp.

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[lymcBoris]

Young torts are notorious escape artists I would add some artificial plants used in fish tanks to help dampen the fall and provide a covered hiding place and remove 1 x hide out and the granit stone which I think could be causing blood.
I can not see the enclosure walls but if it is all glass then get some masking tape or black card to surround the glass a few inches high to stop it seeing out. Also place a hide or plant mid way in the enclosure to stop end to end enclosure vision. It just makes the enclosure more fun to be in.
The tort shell is starting to pyramid so check humidity and soaking as your aiming for smooth slow growth. This care sheet will help you check settings and temp.

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[lymcBoris]

The enclosure is not glass sided. It's a 6ft by 3.5 ft wooden enclosure with high sides. He cannot see out. He has hides to break up the field of view, a humid enclosed hide at the dark cooler end and a stone ramp with other slate and different textures surfaces to walk over. He likes obstacles to investigate. He has a real spider plant in his enclosure. I don't like plastic plants. And I've already read Tom's care sheet when I joined this forum 3 years ago. I am very aware of all of his needs. I asked about his advice for his cut, what to clean it with, not for more advice on his enclosure. I have everything that is recommended for temps, arcadia UV lighting, che, 60 w incandescent basking bulbs Tom recommended, I bought a solar meter at £300! To measure UV levels, temp gun, Coco Coir and orchid bark substrate, tortoise table app for food. He gets a wide variety of weeds all spring and summer through to Autumn. And florette raddichio, endive, chicory mix with kale and softened mazuri pellets in winter. I don't hibernate him yet. I don't need advice on his enclosure temps thanks. I have arranged his enclosure many different ways over the years to provide less end to end sight, but he is naturally a stomper. His pyramiding started from the breeder who hatched him. I bought him when he was a year old and pyramiding was evident then as he was kept on sand! I knew this wasn't correct. He is bathed and soaked frequently. I come on here asking for some expert advice and end up getting put off by the same. " Look at your temps, don't have this, or that" then I come off for months. I'd just like expert advice that I ask for. I'm not a silly person who has not researched before we travelled 300 miles to bring home our beautiful Tortoise. Thank you for your advice, but it has just frustrated me.

 

[Sarah2020]

The enclosure is not glass sided. It's a 6ft by 3.5 ft wooden enclosure with high sides. He cannot see out. He has hides to break up the field of view, a humid enclosed hide at the dark cooler end and a stone ramp with other slate and different textures surfaces to walk over. He likes obstacles to investigate. He has a real spider plant in his enclosure. I don't like plastic plants. And I've already read Tom's care sheet when I joined this forum 3 years ago. I am very aware of all of his needs. I asked about his advice for his cut, what to clean it with, not for more advice on his enclosure. I have everything that is recommended for temps, arcadia UV lighting, che, 60 w incandescent basking bulbs Tom recommended, I bought a solar meter at £300! To measure UV levels, temp gun, Coco Coir and orchid bark substrate, tortoise table app for food. He gets a wide variety of weeds all spring and summer through to Autumn. And florette raddichio, endive, chicory mix with kale and softened mazuri pellets in winter. I don't hibernate him yet. I don't need advice on his enclosure temps thanks. I have arranged his enclosure many different ways over the years to provide less end to end sight, but he is naturally a stomper. His pyramiding started from the breeder who hatched him. I bought him when he was a year old and pyramiding was evident then as he was kept on sand! I knew this wasn't correct. He is bathed and soaked frequently. I come on here asking for some expert advice and end up getting put off by the same. " Look at your temps, don't have this, or that" then I come off for months. I'd just like expert advice that I ask for. I'm not a silly person who has not researched before we travelled 300 miles to bring home our beautiful Tortoise. Thank you for your advice, but it has just frustrated me.

I have just rechecked the pics and there is no plant visible. My comments were to help but please ignore and continue with your expertise and knowledge.

 

[TammyJ]

The enclosure is not glass sided. It's a 6ft by 3.5 ft wooden enclosure with high sides. He cannot see out. He has hides to break up the field of view, a humid enclosed hide at the dark cooler end and a stone ramp with other slate and different textures surfaces to walk over. He likes obstacles to investigate. He has a real spider plant in his enclosure. I don't like plastic plants. And I've already read Tom's care sheet when I joined this forum 3 years ago. I am very aware of all of his needs. I asked about his advice for his cut, what to clean it with, not for more advice on his enclosure. I have everything that is recommended for temps, arcadia UV lighting, che, 60 w incandescent basking bulbs Tom recommended, I bought a solar meter at £300! To measure UV levels, temp gun, Coco Coir and orchid bark substrate, tortoise table app for food. He gets a wide variety of weeds all spring and summer through to Autumn. And florette raddichio, endive, chicory mix with kale and softened mazuri pellets in winter. I don't hibernate him yet. I don't need advice on his enclosure temps thanks. I have arranged his enclosure many different ways over the years to provide less end to end sight, but he is naturally a stomper. His pyramiding started from the breeder who hatched him. I bought him when he was a year old and pyramiding was evident then as he was kept on sand! I knew this wasn't correct. He is bathed and soaked frequently. I come on here asking for some expert advice and end up getting put off by the same. " Look at your temps, don't have this, or that" then I come off for months. I'd just like expert advice that I ask for. I'm not a silly person who has not researched before we travelled 300 miles to bring home our beautiful Tortoise. Thank you for your advice, but it has just frustrated me.

Hey there. The folks here, including me, offer what advice or help they can, not being aware of how much or how little you may already know or be doing or for how long! We are not trying to annoy or frustrate anyone. Don't be offended because we don't know what you already know! That would be unreasonable to say the least. Accept the generous and thoughtful offerings of advice, please.

 

[lymcBoris]

Hey there. The folks here, including me, offer what advice or help they can, not being aware of how much or how little you may already know or be doing or for how long! We are not trying to annoy or frustrate anyone. Don't be offended because we don't know what you already know! That would be unreasonable to say the least. Accept the generous and thoughtful offerings of advice, pleas

Hey there. The folks here, including me, offer what advice or help they can, not being aware of how much or how little you may already know or be doing or for how long! We are not trying to annoy or frustrate anyone. Don't be offended because we don't know what you already know! That would be unreasonable to say the least. Accept the generous and thoughtful offerings of advice, please.

A thoughtful response would be to read my initial post and look at the photos. Perhaps my profile page. Not to throw beginner information at me. I see you use the term "we". Because I sense this group is extremely cliquey. And if you don't fit the mould, your not important and spoken to bluntly and coldly. I have appreciated and am extremely grateful for all advice I have been given on this forum over the three years by a select few experts. I appreciate it very much and have said so in each response. So please don't patronise or lecture me like I'm an ungrateful child.