Weird bump

[goReptiles]

Ok. So the tortoise is eating perfectly. The temps are about 85-87F on the hot side. The humidity is good.

I noticed this bump the other day. Anyone have any suggestions? Or should I just make an appointment with the vet?

The other side- no bump.

 

[Yvonne G]

The question was asked the other day, "Do tortoises have ears?" This is an excellent "ear" picture. What you are seeing is an infection under the tympanic membrane. It usually happens in turtles, not tortoises. It is an abscess and needs to be excised. However, you must wait until it matures so you can be sure to get it all out. I do this myself, but if you're squeamish, you need to take the tortoise to the vet.

In box turtles when you see the ear abscess, it is usually because there is an infection going on somewhere else in the animal. It shows up in the ear, but it usually doesn't start in the ear. So even though you excise the abscess, you really should go through a regimen of antibiotics to be sure you kill off the infection.

Yvonne

---

I forgot to mention that you see the swelling on the exterior of the head, but there is also swelling INSIDE, and sometimes its hard for the animal to swallow because of it.

 

[tortoisenerd]

Yvonne-Is there anything you can do to prevent these, or do they happen rather randomly? Great info here.

goReptiles-Hope your tort feels better soon.

 

[matt41gb]

Yvonne, I work for a veterinarian and have access to any instrument I need to treat an ear abscess. One of my box turtles recently formed an ear abscess and I was wondering how you treat yours. This is a first for me. Thanks.

-Matt

 

[Yvonne G]

Ok...I sent the OP instructions in a PM because I didn't think it would be good to put in on the forum, but since so many of you have asked, I'll send you each a PM. I don't want something like this to be out in the internet because you just never know who might read it and do something wrong.

Yvonne

 

[Redfoot NERD]

Recently I was asked if it was O.K. to house a redfoot with a box turtle. After I explained "NO"!!! I replied that: Box turtles are the only ones ( that I know of ) that get sick in the wild.. meaning the ear abscess.

In 15 years of redfoots.. I don't recall seeing what you have shown. And 'yes'.. let it run it's course - it may even 'lance' itself.

Terry K

 

[terryo]

This is OT...but...
Wait a minute....are you saying that in the wild ONLY Box turtles get sick?????????
(that I know of ) that get sick in the wild.. meaning the ear abscess

How would you know this? I find that very hard to believe.

 

[Yvonne G]

I've seen RES with the ear abscess too. But mostly box turtles.

Yvonne

 

[bettinge]

Read thru this, Danny posted some good, discusting, but good photos.

http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-7443.html?highlight=abscess

 

[Yvonne G]

And here's an article from the Tortoise Trust about them:

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/abcess.html

Yvonne

 

[matt41gb]

Read thru this, Danny posted some good, discusting, but good photos.

http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-7443.html?highlight=abscess

Thanks! This was very helpful. The abscess is still quite small. Once it gets a little bigger I'll take him to work and have some of my co workers help hold him while I cut it open with a scalpel blade. I'll see about squirting a big of lidocaine to help with pain after the initial cut. I'm looking forward to giving him some relief soon. Thanks for the info guys.

-Matt

 

[terryo]

Is this contagious as far as a tortoise giving it to a box turtle or a box turtle giving it to a tortoise?

 

[Redfoot NERD]

This is OT...but...
Wait a minute....are you saying that in the wild ONLY Box turtles get sick?????????
(that I know of ) that get sick in the wild.. meaning the ear abscess

How would you know this? I find that very hard to believe.

Wait a minute....are you saying that in the wild ONLY Box turtles get sick?????????

Nooooooo Terry I didn't say that - read the reply again.

I said - [ of the turtles that I've seen IN THE WILD ] the only ones that have ear abscesses [ commonly ] are box turtles. Meaning you are asking for trouble by housing a WC Eastern box turtle with anything else.. even another Eastern box turtle. And I know there are those out there that have housed Eastern box turtles for years with no problems. I've just seen too many WC Eastern box turtles with ear abscesses.. like crossing the road! Why take the chance?

We've all seen every ailment under the sun develop as a result of poor husbandry practices.. some started 'before' they were "captive"!

What does this mean? This is OT...but...

Terry K

 

[terryo]

OT .. off topic. Thanks for clearing up your post. I didn't understand it.

 

[Yvonne G]

Yvonne-Is there anything you can do to prevent these, or do they happen rather randomly? Great info here.

goReptiles-Hope your tort feels better soon.

I've tried to research online and the only things I've discovered is that it is usually an infection someplace else in the body that just exhibits in the ear. It could also be due to poor living conditions. And the third thing I've read is the animal was being kept too dry. Take your pick!

So, to answer your question, I'd guess that if you have optimum living conditions, feed the correct diet and in general take good care of your animal, chances are good it won't happen.

Yvonne

---

Is this contagious as far as a tortoise giving it to a box turtle or a box turtle giving it to a tortoise?

Far as I know, its not contagious.

Yvonne

 

[matt41gb]

I keep my box turtles in a big pen outside year round in their native habitat and correct diet and one of mine still came down with an ear abscess. I think their idiopathic in nature. They're just a random occurrence and nobody knows why they happen.

 

[Madkins007]

Dr. Mader's "Reptile Medicine and Surgery" book shows several tortoises with this sort of abcess, and as others have mentioned, says there are many reasons for the infection- it just often manifests itself in the ear cavity.

Whenever anything is acting oddly, however, it is worthwhile to double check your cares- is the pen clean? Good temps? Good humidity and lighting? Right diet? Minimal stress factors? Etc.

This is one example of where UVB might be helpful- it is a natural disinfectant and may offer some preventative benefits.

 

[Redfootedboxturtles]

I have had these type of things pop in a warm water soak.