Urgent Care :: BIG HEAD?

[Aluckylady]

Hi, my very active,responsive.....appearing to be in overall good health res has developed something odd. It almost looks as though his head wont fit back in his shell. As if his head has outgrown the opening..........
Any ideas......suggestions??????????

[Spookster]

Can you post some photos? It would also probably good if you gave some background information on his feeding routine, living conditions(tank, filter, UV light, heater, etc) , age, size, etc.

Kind of like what is says in the sticky note at the top of this forums that says Read this topic before you post here

[steve]

It could be an abscess (it can appear on both sides of the head), which a vet will need to lance.

Check this section for photos (near the bottom):
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medeyes.htm

[marisa]

Is the head just large or is it misshapen/is there a lump on the side of it? A pic would be good. If it's a lump, it's likely an abcess, which will need a vet's attention.

[Aluckylady]

Thank you both for your reply.....no, its nothing like that (abcess). Those poor babies on that page made me cry. His/her head is uniform shaped. It just looked like it was growing faster then the rest of her. And I "thought" she hadnt tucked it in for a day. So I panicked and jumped on here, lol. I took her out and handled her for a bit, and she was fine. My hub had one of his friends from work that is a herpetologist stop by to take a look at all of them. Made me kind of proud...he said I had a great set-up going. And that they all seemed to be doing well Gee, that mom in me kicked in, lol........now I am worrying over my baby turtles! He told me I could call him anytime I had a concern and he would come over.

[steve]

Good to hear! I'd like to have a herpetologist friend too

[missibsu]

You don't by chance happen to live anywhere near Columbus Ohio do you? Must be nice to have an expert in the area...for free!

[marisa]

Hatchlings seem to have extraordinarily large heads for their size, especially when they're basking. It's one of the things I find so adorable about them.

[Aluckylady]

missibsu,
No sorry, I am in South Carolina.....
My husband works at a Nuclear Facility....Large Science Lab there. So that worked out really well for me, when I called him and told him I was worried, lol. He just told this guy in the cafeteria, at lunch time. And because he doesnt live but a couple blocks away, he dropped by