Urgent Care :: My turtle has an abnormal growth (possible swelling)

[staman]

Has anyone ever tried to lance an abcess by themselves? You guys probably think im crazy but that procedure is soooo minor. One thing id like to know is if anesthetic is used. I honestly cant see it being used for such a tiny incision. The things i believe i will need are:

1. Tiny scapel (disinfected obviously)
2. Saline solution
3. Topical antibacterial

People on this website seem to be using neosporin as their topical antibacterial. Does neosporin actually fight bacteria that would be present in a turtle as opposed to a human? The other aspect that worries me is how small/deep an incision is required?

[pearlie369]

No the body cannot absorb the infection, it will continue to grow and find new spots to infect. Oral Baytril is good, but it would take too long to get in the system and in the infection, thats why they injected him. Trust me oral would be eaiser but easier is not better. Please do not lance it yourself. I am not sure about turts but for all other animals they are put under sedation to do it because it is VERY painful, and I am sure they would at least numb him before the go and squeeze any puss out. Save your turt the pain and anger, just keep taking him to the vet. And the vet would use a weak betadine solution in the wound as the antiseptic.

[staman]

Thanks. I did go buy the needle, saline solution, betadine, latex gloves.. Just havent had the courage to do it myself. I really doubt they would use anasthetic for such a tiny incision..

[Turtleboy]

good luck keep us updated!

[staman]

Well the vet finally succeeded in lancing my RES's abcess. hurrah. He got an injection of baytril in the abcess as well. He goes back in 3 days for a final set of injections. The vet asked me to keep the turt in a dry tank for a couple days until his wound seals over. Whats the recommended air temp for a dry tank? Hes in a 10 gallon with some river rocks. I have the basking lamp over the tank--the problem is regulating the temperatures. Under the lamp its about 86F but at the other end of the tank its around 76F. I live in toronto so my ambient air temp in the house is about 70F. (Its -6C outside)...

[marisa]

Great news! I'd try to have the ambient air a few degrees higher, up to around 80F. You could cover the end of the tank that's cooler and see how much warmer the ambient air temp is with a thermometer. If it's too warm, leave a bit of the far end uncovered (you've got to experiment).

Dry tanking is stressful, and rather than river rocks, you might provide him with a cloth to burrow under. I'd hydrate him periodically---let him be in some shallower water the depth of his shell two times a day for about 30 min. each time and feed him during one of those times.

[cam722]

I'm glad this issue was resolved by the vet lancing the abcess. I'd not want to attempt something like that on my own on a wiggly turtle.