Ear Abscess

[Ben57]

My Russian tortoise got an abscess around her ear. I was wondering if having surgery with anesthetic is risky and if she does will it hinder her in the future? She’s just as active and doesn't even seemed bothered by it. Do I need to see a vet that specializes in this or can I see any normal reptile vet?

Thanks for the help

 

[Maggie3fan]

Generally only an exotic Vet would see him...

 

[zovick]

View attachment 387255
My Russian tortoise got an abscess around her ear. I was wondering if having surgery with anesthetic is risky and if she does will it hinder her in the future? She’s just as active and doesn't even seemed bothered by it. Do I need to see a vet that specializes in this or can I see any normal reptile vet?

Thanks for the help

Depending on the vet you see and the diagnosis of exactly what is wrong, anesthesia may or may not be used or needed. Anesthesia is always somewhat of a risk, but if the vet deems it necessary, I would not hesitate to have it used.

This looks very much like a bot fly larva like the ones box turtles get, in which case anesthesia might not be needed as their removal is rather quick. If it's a true abscess (or a cyst), then anesthesia may be required as removing those requires more of a surgical procedure.

Your best bet is to take the tortoise to a regular exotics vet for evaluation and treatment. I don't think there is a specialty within exotics for treating this type of problem. If there is, you will probably get a referral to one who can do the job.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Depending on the vet you see and the diagnosis of exactly what is wrong, anesthesia may or may not be used or needed. Anesthesia is always somewhat of a risk, but if the vet deems it necessary, I would not hesitate to have it used.

This looks very much like a bot fly larva like the ones box turtles get, in which case anesthesia might not be needed as their removal is rather quick. If it's a true abscess (or a cyst), then anesthesia may be required as removing those requires more of a surgical procedure.

Your best bet is to take the tortoise to a regular exotics vet for evaluation and treatment. I don't think there is a specialty within exotics for treating this type of problem. If there is, you will probably get a referral to one who can do the job.

I HATE bot flies. Used to pick them out of eastern boxes every year.

 

[MaNaAk]

View attachment 387255
My Russian tortoise got an abscess around her ear. I was wondering if having surgery with anesthetic is risky and if she does will it hinder her in the future? She’s just as active and doesn't even seemed bothered by it. Do I need to see a vet that specializes in this or can I see any normal reptile vet?

Thanks for the help

Please get her to a vet asap to find out what is causing this abscess. My tortoise Daisy (1942 - 2022) had lumps before TB (from a fox attack) was diagnosed but it could and the vet was treating with antibiotics before I decided it was kinder to put her to sleep. It will also put your mind at rest to take her to a vet.

Get better quickly little one

Natrah and Jacky