Aural Abscesses in Wild Eastern Box Turtles, Terrapene carolina carolina, from North Carolina: Aerobic Bacterial Isolates and Distribution of Lesions
J Herpe Med Surg 13[2]:4-9 Summer'03 Retrospective Study 24 Refs

Aural abscesses are a common clinical finding in wild eastern box turtles, Terrapene carolina carolina. This study, utilizing current and retrospective data, was initiated to characterize this disease syndrome further. Thirty free ranging eastern box turtles were admitted over a four-year period to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine's (NCSU-CVM's) Turtle Rescue Team for aural abscesses. These patients presented for either unilateral or bilateral swelling of the tympanic membrane. Overall body condition ranged from poor to excellent. Bony changes resulting from the aural swelling were seen grossly and radiographically in some turtles. Cultures revealed multiple microbial agents and the isolates varied between turtles. In general, the isolates were Gram-negative opportunistic bacteria. Of the twenty-three cultures obtained, the most commonly isolated organisms were Proteus vulgaris (5), Escherichia coli (5) and Aeromonas hydrophila (5). Sensitivity results showed resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents. Many of the turtles presented with clinical signs of ocular and respiratory infections in addition to the aural abscesses, or developed similar signs after admission. The results of this study will help direct a management plan for future cases of aural abscesses in eastern box turtles. [Abstract]