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 #2077231


Geckohappy
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 Box turtle found with abcess

I ran across a box turtle today that at first appeared to have two heads. It seems quite healthy except for this large lump. I sent the images off to my vet, who is closed today, but I thought I would ask here if anyone has ever dealt with anything like this. Since he can’t close his shell all the way, I thought hibernating might be a big problem, so I wanted to get him cleared up and set free in time.
09/27/09  03:11pm

 #2077314


Gert
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   Message To: Geckohappy   In reference to Message Id: 2077231


 Box turtle found with abcess

it may be an ear infection ill take it off your hands i will pay shipping



09/27/09  05:57pm

 #2077360


Geckohappy
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   Message To: Gert   In reference to Message Id: 2077314


 Box turtle found with abcess

Thanks, but I would never ship an animal who was sick. This guy needs help quickly and then he will be released to the same location he was found.
09/27/09  07:46pm

 #2077433


Heatseeker
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   Message To: Geckohappy   In reference to Message Id: 2077360


 Box turtle found with abcess

I think your doing a great thing getting it to a vet and then releasing it when its healed up. I think the vet is the only solution at this point. Poor guy, he is beautiful glad you can help :)
09/27/09  10:06pm

 #2077740


Gert
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   Message To: Heatseeker   In reference to Message Id: 2077433


 Box turtle found with abcess

did you take it to the vet yet what did the vet say it was



09/28/09  03:28pm

 #2077857


Geckohappy
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   Message To: Gert   In reference to Message Id: 2077740


 Box turtle found with abcess

I just got back from the vet’s office. It was an abscess and had to be drained. It cost $170. It should heal up within a month or so, just in time to be released back into the wild and hibernate.
09/28/09  06:26pm

 #2077939


Gert
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   Message To: Geckohappy   In reference to Message Id: 2077857


 Box turtle found with abcess

i have a huge back yard perfect for this guy it will be overnight shipping will not harm or stress it one bit i will pay
09/28/09  08:30pm

 #2077955


Geckohappy
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   Message To: Gert   In reference to Message Id: 2077939


 Box turtle found with abcess

Sorry, but it would stress her out horribly to be shipped. She can’t even be near dirt for a month and I have to clean the wound regularly. Studies show box turtles do best when released at the same location found. Thanks for the offer, but I am planning to set her free once she heals.
09/28/09  08:54pm

 #2078159


Gert
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   Message To: Geckohappy   In reference to Message Id: 2077955


 Box turtle found with abcess

ok but make sure she is not used to being feed by people as you become closer to releaseing her make her work for her food so she will not die when you release her
09/29/09  10:34am

 #2078178


Geckohappy
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   Message To: Gert   In reference to Message Id: 2078159


 Box turtle found with abcess

Thank you, that is a good tip. I appreciate your reminder.
09/29/09  11:14am

 #2078194


Heatseeker
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   Message To: Geckohappy   In reference to Message Id: 2078178


 Box turtle found with abcess

She will be fine being kept until she is healed and then released. It will not make her forget how to hunt for food in that short amount of time. Glad you were able to take her to the vet, too bad he wouldn’t do it for free since it was a wild turtle...

Gert - why don’t you look on kingsnake . com for turtles and torts if you want them so bad, there are a ton on there... you ask everyone on here if they will send you the ones they find. Its not good to take them out of the wild and these people are doing the right thing buy releasing them. There are plenty that are captive born now days.
09/29/09  11:54am

 #2078352


Gert
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   Message To: Heatseeker   In reference to Message Id: 2078194


 Box turtle found with abcess

naw really im just TRYING TO HELP THEM geess whats your deal
09/29/09  05:11pm

 #2078415


Reptilefreak23
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   Message To: Gert   In reference to Message Id: 2078352


 Box turtle found with abcess

I have had some of those recently... the vet bill does get pretty high. I really appreciate what you did for a wild turtle. And as said above, keep it off of dirt. I keep them by themselves on moist paper towels after that happens. (Moist and I don’t let it exceed 85 to keep down any side affect RI or Vita A deficiency.
Good luck with it.
09/29/09  07:28pm

 #2078522


Geckohappy
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   Message To: Reptilefreak23   In reference to Message Id: 2078415


 Box turtle found with abcess

Thanks! I appreciate the tips.

Here is an update. She’s looking good. The lump is delfated and she’s able to move and see better already. That’s Neosporin on her cheek, and she’s sitting on a slice of peach. What a food critic. She prefers strawberries apparently.



09/30/09  12:01am

 #2078775


Heatseeker
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   Message To: Geckohappy   In reference to Message Id: 2078522


 Box turtle found with abcess

Gald to hear she is doing better :) Box Turtles love berries, cantalope, squash, bugs, slugs and worms, also mushrooms, dandelions and leafy greens such as spring mix, turnip leaves, endive, red and green leaf lettuce and other greens. Pretty little turtle, hope she heals up well :)
09/30/09  05:11pm

 #2078860


Geckohappy
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   Message To: Heatseeker   In reference to Message Id: 2078775


 Box turtle found with abcess

I’ll be happy when I see her eat anything. I have offered most of those items to her (and a few more) but she isn’t interested. Her jaw probably still hurts, so maybe she’ll be hungry again soon. I have a basking light on one side of the tub to keep her temps right, and she is VERY active.
She ignored the fruit and earthworms and greens. I even tried a cricket, thinking the movement would trigger a reaction, but the darn thing did a jig in front of her face and she still didn’t go for it. Now it’s perched on her back chirping.



09/30/09  07:43pm

 #2079080


Heatseeker
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   Message To: Geckohappy   In reference to Message Id: 2078860


 Box turtle found with abcess

She may just need to heal up and she is probably stressed after all that she’s been through. They can go a long time without eating. I would take the cricket out if she didn’t eat it though. Wouldn’t want to stress her out anymore then she already is. Give her a few days and try again it may take a week or two.
10/01/09  11:10am


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