Abscess

Kristy · 05-01-2010, 10:38 AM

Hi

Just wondered if anyone has had a similar problem. Colin has an abcess on his jaw, it's in his mouth just on the side where his 'gum' is. He's been on anti-biotics and painkillers for a week. I thought this was working as the infected area looked drier than before. I took him back to the vet for his follow up last night and the abscess had got slightly bigger, he was kept in overnight (which made me cry!) and today (maybe as I type) he's having an operation to clean it up with anti-biotic wash and take swabs.

The vet said he's pierced the skin and it's become infected. His behaviour has been normal although the vet said it would be painful for him the good thing is that he's been eating ok.

Has anyone else had this problem before and if so was it easy to get rid of?

I'm just worried about him

Oh and does anyone have any advice about his table when he comes home should he just go on his normal soil substrate?

Thanks x x

Zen · 05-01-2010, 04:50 PM

I hope that Colin is feeling better soon. It maybe worth just putting him onto newspaper, so the soil etc doesnt get into the wound while it is healing.

Box girl · 05-01-2010, 09:01 PM

I hope your tortoise gets better soon. I have had a few torts with abscesses before and they recover quickly esp as yours is still eating.
I agree paper only until healed and would avoid any fruit as well as the natural suagr can cause further infection.

linda · 05-01-2010, 09:09 PM

wishing your tort a speedy recovery

you will need to keep over night temps higher whilst he is on antibiotics

Chris Ralph · 06-01-2010, 08:53 AM

I hope he recovers quickly.
I've not had that problem with my tortis fortunaltey but I did with my guinea pig. The vet said it was a piece of hay that pierced his gum. Could Colin have munched on something sharp?
Chris

**Eire_Ade** · 06-01-2010, 10:14 AM

Hi Kristy,

Sending Colin get well soon wishes. Linda made a very good point about keeping night temps up whilst on the antibiotics.

I have kept my tortoises when on antibiotics warm in a shoe box in the airing cupboard over night and put them back under the lamp in the day time.

Box girl · 06-01-2010, 02:57 PM

How did Colin do at the vets? I hope he is feeling better now.

jayne2942 · 06-01-2010, 06:20 PM

I hope Colin is feeling a bit better today,i wish him a speedy recovery, big hug
Jayne

Kristy · 06-01-2010, 08:45 PM

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies and best wishes.

I've been leaving his light on for longer and going to think of a way to keep him warmer overnight, the room he is in keeps quite warm overnight, but I will try to find a warmer alternative. What would be an ideal overnight temp for him now?

Before it happened I did catch him eating the odd bit of readigrass he's never eaten it before I think he just managed to get a few bits on his food. I've read they can eat it but it does look sharp to me.

He came home yesterday, he's still eating so that's good but running out of tasty foods to put his medicine on.....will have to stop stawberries if the sugar makes it worse.

He's now on three medicines, Marbocyl, Flagyl and Metacam, doesn't feel right pumping him full of all that, plus I'm still very new to all this so it's a bit scary. They don't seem to affect him though.

He's back on Monday for a follow up I just hope it's getting better. It looks darker and less of a 'crater' I'm not sure what I'm looking for really!!

Thanks again everyone any advice is always very welcome!! x x

linda · 06-01-2010, 10:11 PM

[
I've been leaving his light on for longer and going to think of a way to keep him warmer overnight, the room he is in keeps quite warm overnight, but I will try to find a warmer alternative. What would be an ideal overnight temp for him now?

dannys advice
A long as your giving antibiotics, 30C day and night is what you want to shoot for

05-01-2010, 10:38 AM	#1
Kristy Member Hatched Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 294	Abscess Hi Just wondered if anyone has had a similar problem. Colin has an abcess on his jaw, it's in his mouth just on the side where his 'gum' is. He's been on anti-biotics and painkillers for a week. I thought this was working as the infected area looked drier than before. I took him back to the vet for his follow up last night and the abscess had got slightly bigger, he was kept in overnight (which made me cry!) and today (maybe as I type) he's having an operation to clean it up with anti-biotic wash and take swabs. The vet said he's pierced the skin and it's become infected. His behaviour has been normal although the vet said it would be painful for him the good thing is that he's been eating ok. Has anyone else had this problem before and if so was it easy to get rid of? I'm just worried about him Oh and does anyone have any advice about his table when he comes home should he just go on his normal soil substrate? Thanks x x __________________ Kristy.

05-01-2010, 04:50 PM	#2
Zen Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Banbury Oxfordshire Posts: 2,623	I hope that Colin is feeling better soon. It maybe worth just putting him onto newspaper, so the soil etc doesnt get into the wound while it is healing. __________________ Rachael & Zen (THB) 'Show gratitude to every living thing'

06-01-2010, 10:14 AM	#6
Eire_Ade Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ireland Posts: 8,422	Hi Kristy, Sending Colin get well soon wishes. Linda made a very good point about keeping night temps up whilst on the antibiotics. I have kept my tortoises when on antibiotics warm in a shoe box in the airing cupboard over night and put them back under the lamp in the day time. __________________ Ade ----------------------------------------------- Y.O.B 1971 (40 years young! ) My Tortoises :- Dug (Testudo Graeca Ibera Terrestris (Syrian), Penny, JJ (JennyJack), Buttons and Gem (Testudo Graeca Ibera)

06-01-2010, 06:20 PM	#8
jayne2942 Member Hatchling Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: WALSALL WOOD,WALSALL Posts: 567	I hope Colin is feeling a bit better today,i wish him a speedy recovery, big hug Jayne __________________ 3 horsfield torts 1 redfoot tort 1 rabbit pond fish 4 baby horsfield hatchlings

06-01-2010, 08:45 PM	#9
Kristy Member Hatched Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 294	Hi, Thanks for all the replies and best wishes. I've been leaving his light on for longer and going to think of a way to keep him warmer overnight, the room he is in keeps quite warm overnight, but I will try to find a warmer alternative. What would be an ideal overnight temp for him now? Before it happened I did catch him eating the odd bit of readigrass he's never eaten it before I think he just managed to get a few bits on his food. I've read they can eat it but it does look sharp to me. He came home yesterday, he's still eating so that's good but running out of tasty foods to put his medicine on.....will have to stop stawberries if the sugar makes it worse. He's now on three medicines, Marbocyl, Flagyl and Metacam, doesn't feel right pumping him full of all that, plus I'm still very new to all this so it's a bit scary. They don't seem to affect him though. He's back on Monday for a follow up I just hope it's getting better. It looks darker and less of a 'crater' I'm not sure what I'm looking for really!! Thanks again everyone any advice is always very welcome!! x x __________________ Kristy.

05-01-2010, 09:01 PM	#3
Box girl Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glos Posts: 1,326	I hope your tortoise gets better soon. I have had a few torts with abscesses before and they recover quickly esp as yours is still eating. I agree paper only until healed and would avoid any fruit as well as the natural suagr can cause further infection.

05-01-2010, 09:09 PM	#4
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	wishing your tort a speedy recovery you will need to keep over night temps higher whilst he is on antibiotics

06-01-2010, 08:53 AM	#5
Chris Ralph Member Hatched Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 326	I hope he recovers quickly. I've not had that problem with my tortis fortunaltey but I did with my guinea pig. The vet said it was a piece of hay that pierced his gum. Could Colin have munched on something sharp? Chris

06-01-2010, 02:57 PM	#7
Box girl Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glos Posts: 1,326	How did Colin do at the vets? I hope he is feeling better now.

06-01-2010, 10:11 PM	#10
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	[ I've been leaving his light on for longer and going to think of a way to keep him warmer overnight, the room he is in keeps quite warm overnight, but I will try to find a warmer alternative. What would be an ideal overnight temp for him now? dannys advice A long as your giving antibiotics, 30C day and night is what you want to shoot for

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