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Medical management of conjunctivitis and shell rot in a red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

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Abstract

Conjunctivitis and shell rot in a red-eared slider and its successful clinical management are described. The red-eared slider was presented to Veterinary Polyclinic Mannarkkad with swollen eyes and white patches on the carapace. The turtle was treated with enrofloxacin bath for 7 days. Superficial lesions on the carapace were treated by application of chlorhexidine gel. Three percent boric acid was used for washing the eye. Vitamin A was administered orally. Several managemental changes ware also made to hasten the recovery. After 1 week of treatment, improvement in the condition of eye was observed. Within 1 month, the white patches on the carapace completely disappeared and the turtle made an uneventful recovery. The case points towards the importance of managemental changes that plays a significant role in the health of an exotic pet like red-eared slider.

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Author notes

  1. Khan Sharun

    Present address: Division of Surgery, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, 243122, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterinary Polyclinic, Mannarkkad, Palakkad, Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

    Khan Sharun, Shaji Panikkassery & S. A. Sidhique

Authors
  1. Khan Sharun
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  2. Shaji Panikkassery
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  3. S. A. Sidhique
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Correspondence to Khan Sharun.

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Sharun, K., Panikkassery, S. & Sidhique, S.A. Medical management of conjunctivitis and shell rot in a red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans). Comp Clin Pathol 28, 575–577 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-019-02911-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-019-02911-4

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