06/25/2026
Splashy the turtle came to see Dr. Borger after developing bilateral aural (ear) abscesses. Bilateral means both ears were affected.
Turtle ear abscesses are painful, firm swellings behind the eye, usually caused by bacterial infections that begin in the mouth and then move up into the middle ear.
Unlike mammals, turtles and tortoises don’t have the external ear opening, so the infection can’t escape and builds into a large, firm mound of puss that is too thick to drain, hence why it must be surgically removed.
To treat Splashy, Dr. Borger had to sedate and make an incision over the bumps to remove the abscesses.
In turtles, their abscesses become hard so to fix the issue, you have to surgically remove them. This is because their puss is firmer than the liquid puss of mammals, including humans.
Splashy was tiny and only weighed 31g!
It’s important to know that only a knowledgeable, reptile-savvy veterinarian should drain and debride the abscess. Attempting to drain or treat without a knowledgeable reptile veterinarian or leaving an aural abscess untreated can cause the infection to spread into the jaw and skull.
Splashy was feeling much better after a quick surgery, and at the recheck, the aural abscesses were healed!
Aural abscesses in turtles can sometimes be a result of a vitamin A deficiency.
Your pet’s veterinarian is your best resource for the most accurate and up-to-date info on meeting your pet’s environmental, nutritional, and enrichment needs, how to prevent illness, and how to provide the best foundation for your pet’s health and happiness. Isn’t Splashy cute?🐢❤️
