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A sick box turtle may not eat and may lose weight, have swollen
and/or runny eyes, nasal discharge, swollen ears, lumps or swellings,
and/or wounds to the shell. Increased water consumption, diarrhea, and
extreme lethargy are other signs of illness. Subtle changes in behavior
and the turtle's routine often signal the onset of illness. It is at
this stage in the course of an illness that a box turtle should be
presented to a veterinarian. A thorough physical exam and a laboratory
work-up (blood and/or bacteriology tests) can be performed to diagnose
and properly treat the problem.
Conditions Requiring Veterinary Attention
Disease Resulting from Malnutrition and Vitamin Deficiencies
Most diseases afflicting captive box turtles are, at least in part,
the result of malnutrition. Box turtles that do not receive all of the
nutrients vital to sustain optimum health do not remain healthy, and
become ill from a variety of causes.
Hatchlings are the most prone to disease resulting from dietary
deficiencies because their nutritional requirements exceed those of
adult turtles and because their rate of growth is so rapid. Hatchling
turtles often exhibit soft shells, associated with protein and mineral
deficiencies, and swollen eyes, which accompany vitamin A deficiency.
Adult box turtles, by contrast, are unlikely to exhibit soft shell
problems but may show signs of anemia weight loss, mouth rot, internal
infection, or abscess with chronic malnutrition
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Respiratory Disease
Respiratory disease is common in box turtles. Epidemics may occur in
populations of wild box turtles, characterized by runny noses and
pneumonia It may be bacterial or viral and can be highly contagious. The
Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata) seems to be
especially sensitive to respiratory disease in captivity, and the
respiratory signs seem to be particularly devastating in this species.
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Ear Abscesses
A common sequel to an upper respiratory infection in a box turtle is
abscesses of the ears. A swelling appears on one or both sides of the
head, beneath the external ear openings. Cheese-like pus can usually be
removed by the veterinarian, and antibiotic therapy by injection is
usually rewarding.
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Abscesses (Other than Ear)
Bacterial abscesses are common from puncture wounds, bite wounds and
other injuries. Injectable antibiotics must be used under these
circumstances to Prevent formation of internal abscesses or septicemia
(blood poisoning).
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Internal Infections
A wide variety of bacterial infections can occur. Often, multiple
organ systems are involved. Liver and/or kidney disease is common
because of the septic nature of turtle diseases and the filtering action
of these 2 organs. Chronic hepatitis and chronic kidney disease (the
latter resulting in gout from elevations of uric acid in the blood) are
routinely seen. Infections of the heart are also common. Blood tests are
useful for diagnosis of these and other problems.
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Organ Failure
Older box turtles are subject to organ failure, most often resulting
from chronic infection or other long-standing disease involving one or
more organs. Diseases that usually accompany advancing age in other
animals also affect elderly box turtles (for example, arteriosclerosis).
Blood chemistry analysis is necessary to diagnose these cases.
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Bot Fly Infestation
Box turtles are commonly subject to the ravages of migrating "bot
fly" larvae. These large parasites are different from the much smaller
maggots (larvae of other flies). The adult flies deposit their eggs on
the skin and/or mucous membranes and the newly hatched larvae, penetrate
into the body and form large, visible lumps where they come to rest,
resembling abscesses. These grubs may cause substantial tissue damage
and mechanical interference for the turtle. Some turtles die as a result
of this infestation.
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Maggot Infestation
"Fly strike" and maggot infestations are extremely common, especially
among wounded or sick box turtles. These turtles are virtually
defenseless and flies can easily take advantage of their weakened
condition. Traumatized or diseased box turtles should be kept indoors or
within a screened enclosure during their convalescence.
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Shell Disorder
Shell rot occurs when either the upper shell (carapace), lower shell
(plastron) or both develop erosions. This condition usually results from
injury or chronic infection to a filthy environmental. Malnutrition and
are frequent predisposing factors.
Serious injuries to the shell are often inflicted by dogs, lawn
mowers and automobiles.
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Overgrown Upper Jaw
The upper jaw of some captive box turtles may occasionally overgrow.
Abnormal wear patterns resulting from prior injury or a steady diet of
soft food may be involved. Periodic trimming of the upper mandible by an
experienced veterinarian or technician is necessary in these cases.
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