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Turtles/Warts issue

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Expert: Mark Adkins - 12/28/2008


Question

warts issue
Does the attached picture match a wart problem? I took the tortoise to a vet for 1 huge wart on the leg as shown, but after initial treating with antibiotics and cleaning for 2 wks and after a negative tissue sample round (to determine if cancer or else) the Vet recommended buying Salycic Acid ointment and that was it, since I started with this things have gotten worse really fast, with Warts now popping up all over and quite rapidly (less than 2 wks) she (female redfoot) now has wart like deformations on her face, rear legs, just all over. Any suggestions? I will like to send more pics but this system only allows for 1 pic load. Thanks for the help!

Answer
What it looks most like is herpesvirus, which is manageable but untreatable. However, I AM NOT A VET- this is just based on the photo and my vet reference book I barely understand.

Herpesvirus, like any virus, is difficult to treat directly. The management is to keep the animal comfortable and properly fed in a slightly warmer habitat, isolate it completely from any other reptile or amphibian, practice really good handwashing and hygienic controls, and treat the eruptions with antibiotic to prevent secondary infections. Even if the lesions go away, the animal should always be considered infectious.

I would recommend you post the problem and more photos at http://www.tortoiseforum.com and http://www.turtleforum.com to see what other experienced keepers think, and I would also strongly consider a second opinion from a vet with background in reptile care.

For basic Red-foot cares, try http://www.redfoots.com as well. The better the general cares are, the less stressed the tortoise is, and the less stress, the fewer eruptions.

Mark Adkins

Expertise

My specialty is tortoises, especially Red-foot Tortoises. I will try to help with any tortoise-related question I can. I will also help with general questions about things like behavior of wild turtles, etc. You can also try my website at http://www.tortoiselibrary.com

PLEASE- No water or box turtle questions. If you have a question about Box Turtles, Red-ear Sliders, Painted Turtles, or other turtles, please try a different expert or http://www.turtleforum.com. It is free and very helpful.

I am not a vet or a breeder, herpetologist, etc. I'm just a guy who likes tortoises. I reserve the right to send you to a website or forum if they have a better answer than I can offer rather than doing long cut-and-pastes, etc. I also will not second guess a vet or recommend home surgery or self-prescribing prescription meds.

Experience

Have kept tortoises on and off since 1965. Currently keep a herd of 4 'Cherry-head' Red-foot Tortoises. Have written extensively on this subject.

Education/Credentials
Associates Degree in Applied Science, Graduate- Tortoise Trust Course in Advanced Chelonian Husbandry

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