Urgent Care :: Post Surgery Care...Please Help

[az0884]

My RES developed ear abcess on both sides so I took her to the vet yesterday and had them cut. I one other RES and I have sperated them but I am not exactly sure teh type of habitat the recovering turtle should have and for how long. Ive been keeping her in a dry container with a heat rock and a hiding place with moist paper towel inside. The vet says if I put her in water to only give here a little bit just enough to cover her legs but she will only eat if she has enough water to fully submerge herself. How long should she be out of the water? She seems like after too long of sitting under the lamp with no water that she becomes lifeless and doesnt get her awareness back until she gets in some water. Would it be alright for me to let her swim in some deeper water as long as its fresh water? I have some stuff tthe vet gave me to spray on her wounds once a day to clean it. Before she went to the vet the abcesses didnt seem to affect her at all but now she just seems like shes dying. The last couple times I checked in on her I though she was dead already but just sleeping like baby. Anyways any tips and pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[jenaero]

I don't see the need for her to be dry docked unless you're applying ointment or something on the wound. If so, you could probably get away with dry docking her for half an hour each time you apply it, then treating her as normal afterwards. As long as the water is kept REALLY clean I see no reason she can't go back in with the other turt now.

[marisa]

If you do keep her dry tanked, let her get hydated in clean water twice a day for about 30 - 45 minutes. She should be able to comfortably eat in water that just covers the shell (it doesn't have to be really deep). How long did the vet say to keep her dry-tanked? I'd do it until the wounds closed up. She needs to be kept in really clean water. And keep applying the medication.

[az0884]

The vet didnt specicify a time. I am supposed to go back for a folow up visit after 1 week wich at first I was thinking the vet is trying to get more money out of me so I'm not going back. However, after looking up pictures of before and after having ear abcess removed, I am almost positive my vet did not even get the half of it. So I'm pretty sure my RES and I are going to have to reapeat last week. Ive been keeping her dry with about 2 swims a day in a dish about the size of a dogs water bowl. I fill up the water to about the top of her shell. Also I put damp paper towels under her log with her so that she doesnt dry out in between swims. Every time i go to check on her she is under the paper towel sleeping. Neither her or my other RES have done any basking for about a week now..except when they are in the water dish wich is under the UVA/AVB light. I think they are just very uneasy about being in the bathtub instead of their tank. Almost depressed like. I'm going to sterilize everything in their tank and put them back in today. Hopefully that springs some life back into them.

[marisa]

Are you saying there's still a lump there? If so, I'd keep that follow-up visit.

[steve]

Yes, please follow-up (those are usually not expensive) and if he didn't get it all, then it's his responsibility to get it right.

What do you mean by sterilize? I'm not sure I understand how you are keeping them while they recover.