Turtle with an infection

[HotSizzle]

I have a small red ear slider and it had an abcess and I removed it once, but it grew again so I had to remove it again, but now it looks like it is swollen and might be infected. How can i heal it? A vet is too expensive considering that the turtle cost around 2 dollars.

[Love Bird B]

Is 2 dollars all the turtle is worth to you? If you can't afford to take care of him, perhaps you should give it to someone who can? It sounds like he needs antibiotics and a lot of care. I hope you find someone to give him to that will tend to his needs.

[Redstorm1721]

Hi welcome, My name is Gail,I was thinking maybe a small hot pac. You know take a wash cloth and warm it and maybe put it on the sore spot? I don't know much about turtles,but if you go to the pet store near you,maybe they have some house hold advice for you till you can get to the vets? How did you take care of the abcess to begine with? I hope all will be okay? Let us know?

[Mrs.Birdy]

Gads man, please get the poor little one some professional help. He is a living, caring, feeling being, even though you only paid $2.00. You can be hurting him by taking off the abcess yourself.

If you absolutely cannot afford a vet, try asking them to take the poor turtle...or maybe ask your local pet shop if they have an appropriate antibiotic. I know they sell antibiotics for birds, perhaps they have some for reptiles.

I feel so sad for the little turtle. Do you live in New Jersey? I will certainly take him and get him some help !!

Good grief.

[Jenny]

"HotSizzle" if you take a look at Mrs. Birdy's quote at the bottom of her post, that says alot... Ok, I am extremely curious in how you removed the "abscess" by yourself. It doubtfully IS infected unless you used sterilized tools and very carefully cleaned the area before and after you removed it. What part of your turtle is the abscess on? Since your turtle is having growths in the first place, you probably need to take a serious look at his captive habitat and diet. Most likely he is not getting the proper diet, doesn't have UVB lighting...something like that. At the least you can do, call an exotics vet clinic and ask for the numbers of other clients with turtles, who can either give you much needed advice or might offer to take him from you. I don't see why you got a $2 animal in the first place because when you got the cage weren't you thinking "What? I can't get that cage- it costs more than the animal. I can't get him that food, it costs more than the animal! I can't get him that...." I'm sure we all sound extremely mean to you but the cost of something should have nothign to do with how well you take care of it and wether or not you take it to a veterinarian. The reason turtles like that are cheap is because they are plentiful, not because they are unintelligent and dumb.

[emroul]

Great site, Casagura, that shows alot about what sounds to be wrong,

Hotsizzle- Do you have a book on red eared sliders, or even just turtles in general? Books usually say something on common illnesses and treatments. This could possibly be a serious problem if not dealt with properly. I know you heard it from everyone else, but it is true.

Please seek professional help before it's too late, unless you don't care, or don't have the money, then give him to some one who does, please.

Take care

[teri]

what a great website that was!! and in the very beginning it says "whether you paid a little or a lot for your turtle, you must properly care for it"!!!

[Redstorm1721]

This post has been here for a while? Wonder what happened?

[Squawksx3]

Hopefully the little guy is ok. Its sad that these little living souls are only worth the 2 bucks it costs to purchase them :( .

That is a great site casegura.. thanks!

[danno]

Hotsizzle, first I say take it to a vet. If you cant do that then try the following. First, no hotpacks! bad idea[sorry] turtles like other reptiles are ectothermic[cold blooded] they need an outside source for warmth but, it must be able to get away from it too. you cant judge its internal temp with a hotpack clamped to it.

since ive no idea how much you know or care to know about keeping turtles, there is simply too much information for me to type here, but heres some good advice:
1. buy some turtle books or join a related website, find out as much as you can first.
2. you must spend a hell of alot more than $2 to properly house and care for a turtle, and thats before you get started.

Supposing you have some basic idea of its care requirements.....

dry dock it for a few hours at a time, in a LARGE container with a heat source at one end. a low wattage 40 watt at 15cm from the floor will do. note: it must be able to move away from the heat. paint the affected area with liquid iodine or betadine, you can buy it from a chemist[drugstore] for cleaning cuts and abrasions. return it to deep water/tank every 3-4 hrs to eat, drink /rehydrate and defecate, after which you must dry it and repaint the wound. sounds morelike fungus to me though.

if its on the shell its either shellrot, [bad diet/lack of calcium/lack of uva/uvb light~sunlight] same treatment, also adding aquarium salt at 10grams/1 teaspoon to i gallon will help. give it sunlight, again, make sure it dosent overheat. look up res dietry requirements and provide the right food, buy some reptimin and/or herptavite and coat its food, some will wash off, turtles only eat in the water.

Thats just the tip of the iceberg, you have made a poor choice of pet, you should learn all you need to kbnow before aquiring ANY pet, regardless its cost. ~good luck

[chixxor]

I know what kind of abscess that hotsizzle is talking about. It is probably around the region of the red stripe of the ear. It is brought about by bad nutrition, poor water condition (not being cleaned enough), improper lighting/temperature.

How do I know this? I was irresponsible enough to get my turtle sick enough to develop this condition.

What I did to prevent the problem from worsening was I kept the water EXTREMELY CLEAN (waterchanges every 2 days or less -- she was in a creature keeper which she outgrew -- that was another story). If you keep the water clean and consistent in temperature, the turtle will most likely become better.

What happened to my turtle, you might ask? I was ashamed of how I treated her, because I didn't realize how much she'd grow, and how much space she'd need. I sought out a new home for her, where she now lives in a 30 gallon tank with a heater, filter, and 150 watt full-spectrum lamp with a turtle friend at my friend's home.

Her abscess went away with simply just cleaning her water regularly and consistently. However, you should NOT be performing abscess removal on your animals -- you know how painful that must be for him? If you hit the "right spot," you might introduce the pus of the abscess into the circulatory system and painfully kill him with a massive blood infection. TAKE HIM TO A VET, or give him to someone who can care for him.

Try www.turtlehomes.org for more advice.

[danno]

What happened Hotsizzle
?????

[starmanp]

I also have a red ear slider that has a abscess below its eye and it looks white and pussy...and the only vet i have around my erea is in stratford Ct and they didn't have any openings :-( my poor turtle .. I am not a mean person i love my pets like my own kids...I got her in dec of 06 just a few months with a male.. he is fine.. but i don't know if its the rag i put in the filter cause i didn't have the foam at that time and all of a sudden i saw soapy water and i took them out as soon as i saw it ... so i was wondering would that been the cause of it??.. I also have a 3 year old slider and she is in my 55gal and she is doing wonderful...i do read up on them alot and i never ran into that problem befor.....So hopefuly i can get her to the vet ASAP...

[tinkerbell21]

Starmanp- the key is finding a HERP vet. I understand you are in CT but here is a list of NY herp vets--perhaps one of them is close enough. Your turtle needs to get to a herp vet ASAP. If that isn't an option do you have a local aquarium or zoo? I understand that you love your animals the same as your kids--but you have a doctor for your kids and should always have one for your pets. My turtles have never needed to go to the vet but I have two different numbers on hand at all times if ever they would be needed. Typically most absesses or infections are caused by insufficient filteration. How big are your turtles? Perhaps I can help you with your setup.

Leslie


Ithaca
Dr Claire Berian.
The Cornell University Hospital for Animals Exotics Clinic. The phone # of The Cornell University Hospital For Animals is (607)253-3060. It is located on the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, NY. Be sure to ask for Exotics.
Post #7, 18

Ithaca Veterinary Housecall Services
102 Homestead Terrace Ithaca, New York
607-277-9037
Post #12
Kingston
Dr Todd Banister DVM
845-331-1050
3040 rte 32 south Kingston, New York
Hoppenstedt Vet Hospital
Post #32

Long Island
Shirley Vet Hospital on Montauk Highway in Shirley diagonally across from the Kohls' Shopping Plaza.
Post #22, 24

Robert Monacho
Old Country Animal Clinic
669 Old Country Road
Plainview, NY.
516-938-7218.
Post #23,25

New York County (Borough of Manhattan)
ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER in Manhattan at 62nd St. and York Ave. (they are very affordable and open 24 HOURS!!) Dr. Hess Dr. Kottwitz
http://www.turtletimes.com/Forums/index.ph...=35517&st=0

Nassau County
Dr. Monaco
Old Country Animal Clinic
669 Old Country Road
Plainview, N.Y.
(516) 938-7218
oldctryac@aol.com Marissa Adams
Recommended by chelonian keepers at the "Vets_For_Herps" list serve.

Gary Selmonsky
East Bay Animal Hospital
2314 Merrick Road Suite 6
Merrick NY 11566
(516 ) 523-6336
Recommended by chelonian keepers at the "Vets_For_Herps" list serve.

Queens
Leffert's Animal Hospital J
amica Ave and Leffert's Blvd
Richmond Hill, Queens
718-849-3000 Dr
David Halpern treats exotics...and everything from iguanas to the chelonians
Recommended by chelonian keepers at the "Vets_For_Herps" list serve.

Rochester
Rochester Metro Area Vets

Westchester, Rockland, Putnum, Dutchess, and Orange Counties Post #66
Exotics Vet Laurie Hess, DMV, Diplomate ABVP
http://www.avianexoticsvet.com

Her office hours, by appointment can be at any of these locations:

Fridays:
Fine Animal Hospital
701 Bedford Road
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
914-666-8061

Mondays:
Hudson Highlands Veterinary Specialty Group
222 Lime Kiln Road
Hopewell Junction, New York 12533
845-223-8682

Tuesdays:
County Animal Hospital
49 Congers Road
New City, NY 10956
845-634-4607

Thursdays:
Bond Animal Hospital
250 Central Avenue
White Plains, New York 10606

Wednesdays:
Croton Animal Hospital
7 South Riverside Avenue
Croton-on Hudson, New York 10520
914-271-6222
Post #64

Westchester
Dr. Paul Raiti
The Beverlie Animal Hospital at 17 West Grand Street in Mt. Vernon, in Westchester, New York 10552 Tel: 1-914-664-2784
Post #6

[starmanp]

My turtles are 5" in lenth and i did have a filter that kept the water clean..I keep them in the 20gal long tank i have...if i seen the water was getting dingy i would do a complete water change like i do with my 9" red ear slider which i had for 3 years in a 55gal tank and she is doing wonderful with no problems what so ever...so thats why i don't understand what happend... can it be the lighting i didn't have the special lighting that they required but i never seen them basking all that much... and yet i guess the filteration wasn't that great cause i would have to change the water every 2 to 3 days....theres only one vet that inloves reptile pets and its In stratford CT and i have to call Monday to see if they have an opening, And yes i love my pets and i will be taking her to the vet when they have an opening....thanks for the help and the info :-).. oh yeah when i didn't have a foam filter i put a sock at first then i put a towel riped up and when i did that i saw foamy suds coming out of it thats when i took the turtles out and rinsed them off...dunno if that was the cause of it....

[tinkerbell21]

You should have them in a much larger setup. They should have 10 gallons of water for every inch of turtle so a 9 inch turtle should have 90 gallons of water a 5 inch turtle should have 50 gallons of water. They need proper filtration which is best done with a external canister filter. The special lighting is 100% neccesary. They need to have the UVB rays the sun produces or they will die a long painful death (this light aids in digestion and prevents metabolic bone disease..amongst other things). There turtles can live for more than 25 years when taken care of properly. Dying before then normally means you didn't care for them properly. If you cannot provide the essentials for them you need to find someone who can. If you care for them like your kids you would go to whatever lengths you had to to see to it that they live their 25 years.

[starmanp]

you don't have to go to that extreem they only grow to there envierment...all they need is is enough room to move around comfy enough and a well basking erea...and as far as getting the help my turtle needs its not my fault that theres only 1 vet in my erea that handles reptiles :-( and the didn't have the space for me at the time...I'm not driving all the way to NY to spend more money then i have to...not being cruel or anything but some ppl are not rich and can only do the best that they can.. its just like kids just because they get sick do you bring them to the hospital cause they have a cold or anything?? no you do your best to treat them at home...your not going to give up your kids cause you can't afford them now are you?we all learn by reading up on things and doing the best we know how....I know your concerned and all, and your saying why get a pet if you couldn't afford it well some times cercomstances change in ones life and money is tight...we do the best we can...And like a said befor I will be taking her to the vet as soon as they have an opening :-)

[tinkerbell21]

If you were reading correct information you would know that they do NOT grow to their environment. That is a myth.

I'll walk away from this now.

Leslie

[BRIZZY]

If all the turtle is worth is 2 dollars and hey i will just go buy another one. Think again and don't purchase anything ever again. They are like children and if you are not willing to care for them like that then you should not bother owning one. Don't waste your money if that is what you are thinkig when we say take to a vet and you say that's just not worth it, it would be a waste of money. Get it? Got it? GOOD!

Yea tinkerbell it's a bit depressing people are even like that!

If money's tight then you shouldn't have things you can't care for. Children is one. If you are not finacially stable and can't care for a kid properly, you should not be thinking of having one. It's pretty simple.

[starmanp]

I did take my turtle to the vet on monday and she is all taken care of.....and it depends on how much you feed the turtles as to how big they grow and the temp of the water.. but yes i do take care of my pets.....but hey thanks for the advice....

[BRIZZY]

Once again it's not how you feed them or anything....right like tinkerbell said i will walk away now casue your pathetic!

[starmanp]

well your both a bunch of asses walk away then..you both think you know it all well you don't... you guys shouldn't even be in this forum cause all you do is critasize ppl instead of helping... /rude

[BRIZZY]

Umm excuse me, i tried helping you an million times and you always refused. Not my problem there buddy. Your right we are too experienced and don't have the time everyday to deal with people like you. I deal with them enough trying to have a reptile business. I certainly don't have to deal with a 13yr old on the internet that blantly needs help. We don't kow it ALL but we know ALOT more then you and are just trying to help you, but you are the ignorant one who will not take into consideration any of our comments.

You have alot of growing up to do yet. Good luck kid and hope all works well for you.

Joining another forum...well let me tell you something i am a member of about 10 forums on the internet and this and about 2 others are the nicest forums i have found yet. Everyone on the forums would have completly murdered you when you said you were using calci sand....i on the other hand had tryed to give you reasons and websites even to check on on your own, concluding the outcome of the calcisand and you still acted like a child and refused all information i tried to give. That gives me the right to not want to help you anymore as you don't want the help.

[starmanp]

Are you talking about me or some one else.. for one i didn't ask about no calci sand or anything like that.. 2 i'm not a kid I'm an adult..Some one can take the advice of one but when a vet tells you other wise who are you realy going to take it from..I'm not trying to be an ass or anything.. it was nice of everyone to give there advice and all..but when ppl saying you should give them to some one who can take care of them instead of giving them the info and helping them thats just being rude don't you think? well anyways it would helkp to be nicer in the forums cause ppl do have feelings and they do deserve respect as well as you do :-)

[BRIZZY]

Yes your right, and i thought your post was a completly different one which is my fault. LOL......ANyways, Yes you deserve repect as well as everyone else here does.

Our first reaction when someone says i only paid 2 dollars for it, and they are not willing to take to the vet...is a big red flag that just says you are not capable of owning a herp, yes many people jump to conclusions. Another thing is you never really know how someone is truthfully coming off like because this is the internet and we're not face to face with the people. Key peices to help you would be show us some pics so we can honstly see your setup and see what things are like. You have to take into consideration some things even if you disagree.

Personally a vet is yes a vet but there are many vets who are not good and shouldn't have there degrees, and some are only small animal vets which are not specializing in reptiles.....Just make sure you have a vet that either is a reptile vet or specializes into the herp you own. If they tell you something that sounds a bit bogus and if everyone on aforum agrees i would get a second opinion.

[starmanp]

Yeah true i know some cost 2 bucks but to take care of them is more then 2 bucks i know that for a fact lol My little turtle had and ear infection which i took it to the vet and he took out the puss in its ear and gave it some shots which hepled with the vit a-b deficincy...I be giving them the Pellets sticks...I also gave them some greens and they just look at it lol.. I just upgraded my 3 year olds tank today wich now the basking erea is outside of the 55 gal tank and i filled the tank up about 3/4 of the way up and took the gravel out so she can have more swimming space :-) now for my 2 baby ones which is in a 20gal long the water is also about 3/4 the way to the top and the basking flotation thing is not to close to the top wish i could show pics on here to show the set ups....well anyways i'm learning more about them.. i even tried fish in my big turtles tank and all she would do is swim with them lol....I feed her chicken when we cook is sometimes.its hard to figure out what to feed her and what days... cuase some foods are only suppost to be fed once in a while and some almost dayly well my turtle is a pig she will keep eating if i let her lol.. i feed her once a day... i know she can go days without eating but damn she will keep bugging untill you feed her lol...

[BRIZZY]

Yea my tortoise will eat anything as well. I feed him 2 small dishes of veggies a day!