Box Turtle Too Sick To Hibernate For The Winter

box turtle by bowl of foodThe following story was shared with us by the Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic in Pennsylvania.

Found on a walking trail in a public park, this Eastern box turtle had clear signs of an upper respiratory infection, including swollen eyes and discharge from the nose. He was thin and very dehydrated. He arrived in early fall, when box turtles are preparing to settle down to hibernate for the winter.

Samples sent to the lab confirmed the turtle had mycoplasmosis, a bacterial infection. He was treated with multiple rounds of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. He also underwent a surgical removal of an ear abscess. His eyes were so swollen that he was unable to see, so until his symptoms resolved he required gavage-feeding every few days with a mixture of EmerAid IC Omnivore and Carnivore to help ensure his nutritional requirements were met.

Once his illness was under control, he was able to transition to a normal diet. Due to state requirements, this turtle stayed in care for more than six months before being released in the spring.