Tom,
Most reptiles require a fairly broad spectrum antibiotic. Due to their metabolism and renal-portal system, they do not require the same frequency as cats and dogs in administration.
Periorbital or Retrobulbar abscesses and conjunctivitis can be common in all species of turtles and is often an indication that they need SYSTEMIC antibiotics for quite a long duration. By the time YOU notice symptoms, your turtle has likely been sick for quite some time!!
The most commonly used injectable antibiotic used in our Exotics practice is a drug called Fortaz, a compounded third generation Cephalosporin. It is given at 20 mg/ kg by IM injection into either front leg every 72 hours for a minimum of 9 treatments. From experience, it can often take TWO rounds of complete injections to clear up nasty infections.
In addition, it is quite important to correct any nutritional and calcium deficiencies your turtle may have while treating him for infection. It would also be very wise to have her dewormed for the most common intestinal parasites to insure that she can immunologically fight off her infection as best as possible.
It will NOT get better left untreated. It will cause pain, discomfort, lack of appetite and activity in your turtle.
Please seek care from an exotics veterinarian whom can prescribe to you the above mentioned antibiotics and show you how to best nurse your turtle back to health.
An oral solution of Baytril can also be used, in turtles, although it is quite difficult to give them meds orally......hence the much preferred option of injectable antibiotics!!
I hope that you found this information and the services at JustAnswer helpful.
Please remember to PRESS ACCEPT so that I can be compensated for my time and professional recommendations concerning your pet.
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Best wishes to you and your pet,
Dr . Jodi Lynn Smith
Veterinarian
13 years of practice experience in exotics, small animal internal medicine and surgery.
As mentioned, IF your turtle has a true abscess or infection of any of the facial features ( eye, nose, cheek, mouth etc,) than treatment with STRONG antibiotics over a LONG period of time is almost always indicated.
That YOU have neither the compassion, the ability to drive the required distance for care, nor the financial stamina to provide for a box turtle is something that you should have considered prior to buying the innocent, blameless turtle and making some half-hearted attempt to care for her.
The HUMANE option is to seek professional help for the proper diagnoses and the type of therapy that will heal her as expediently and painlessly as possible.
Your bargain store pandering for a "quick fix" leaves me speechless and quite indignant.
May I recommend that you RELINQUISH the poor turtle to a non-profit Wildlife organization whom will see to it that she receive the proper care, husbandry, nutrition, Ultraviolent lighting, Calcium Supplementation, and medical attention as is fitting for her age, sex, and species.
Turtles are not trinkets. They are living, breathing creatures that feel pain and discomfort. They deserve to be treated humanely and with respect. They have very unique and special requirements that must be met in order for them to THRIVE in captivity. ( Ultraviolet light, Calcium, Diverse Diets, Natural substrates and environments, etc).
As I am always FIRST and FOREMOST an advocate for the animals that I have pledged my lifetime to assist and heal, I could not possibly make any other recommendations to you for her care other than the ones that are correct and that are necessary.
That you are not happy with the RIGHT answer is not my concern.
You wanted your answer, there you have it. If YOU fail to provide her with the medical attention and care that she is in need of, than YOU will be the one that has to live with the repercussions of your decision. And unfortunately the poor creature that you take such little joy or stock in.
Should you have a change of heart and attitude, I would be more than willing to assist you in finding an exotics vet in your locality that can help you with her care.
Sincerely,
Dr. Smith
Thanks for the change in heart! I hope one of these vets is close to you. Travel with her on a hot water bottle to keep her warm on the way. Best wishes, Dr. Smith.
We are a non-profit international organization of veterinarians and herpetologists founded in 1991. Our goal is to improve reptilian and amphibian veterinary care and husbandry through education, exchange of ideas and research. The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) promotes conservation and humane treatment of all reptilian and amphibian species through education, captive breeding and reptilian and amphibian habitat preservation.