38 Box Turtle Diseases & How To Treat Them

Like other reptiles and animals, box turtles fall sick too. Determining the disease and providing proper treatments to a box turtle becomes easier if you acquire minimum knowledge about these diseases.

A box turtle can suffer from many diseases throughout its life, for example, eye disease, respiratory disease, shell disease, and so on. Determining the disease is not hard if you are a good observer. And the good news is most of the disease have its cure.

In this article, I will try to talk about all the diseases that may occur to your box turtle. To know everything, read the article till the end.

Why Does A Box Turtle Fall Sick?

A box turtle may fall sick for many reasons.

• Genetic
  complexion
• Unhealthy
  environment
• Imbalanced
  diet
• Accident
• Organ
  failure

These are the main reasons why a box turtle may fall sick. Many diseases can happen just because of one disproportion of these factors.

What Are The Common Diseases Of A Box Turtle?

Several diseases may occur to a box turtle. Most of these diseases are not severe. But if you ignore a minor condition at an early stage, it could be life-threatening later. Here I am going to talk about several diseases of a box turtle.

Some diseases of a box turtle are,

1. Vitamin A deficiency or hypovitaminosis
2. Respiratory infection
3. An ear abscess
4. Shell rot
5. Shell peeling
6. Internal parasite
7. Scratches
8. Insects on the skin
9. Irregular shell growth
10. Overgrown nails
11. Turtle doesn’t eat
12. Closed eye
13. Swollen eye
14. Mouth rot
15. Lumps on cheek
16. Cracked shell
17. Abnormal behavior
18. Paralyzed leg
19. Overgrown beaks
20. Organ disease
21. Organ prolapse
22. Ear abscesses
23. Overgrown upper jaw
24. Foreign body ingestion
25. Blood parasites
26. Intestinal parasite
27. Intestinal protozoa
28. Bot fly infestation
29. Maggot infestation
30. Organ failure
31. Dry flakey skin
32. Pyramiding
33. Scratched eye
34. Bloody eye
35. Closed and puffy eye
36. Eye rot
37. Eye infection
38. Closed and sunken eyes

Vitamin A Deficiency Or Hypovitaminosis

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It works as an antioxidant and helps in the growth and repairing of tissues. It plays a vital role in the proper functioning of eyes, skin, mucous membranes, and ducts of the box turtle. So if a box turtle’s body does not get enough vitamin A, many complexions start occurring.

Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency or hypovitaminosis of a box turtle

• The eyelids
  of the box turtle get swollen
• The box
  turtle loses its appetite
• The pet
  loses its weight
• The skin
  gets infected with bacteria
• The box
  turtle may experience a runny nose
• A medical
  condition called necrotic stomatitis can occur to the box turtle.
• You may
  notice an abnormal development of the eyes in embryos

The main symptom of Vitamin A deficiency is swollen eyelids. This situation can be severe and sometimes the box turtle can not open his eyes because of the swollen eyelids.

Treatment Of Vitamin A Deficiency Or Hypovitaminosis Of A Box Turtle

The most effective treatment of this disease is a nutritionally balanced diet. You have to take your box turtle to the nearest vet and follow his instructions. The vet may suggest vitamin A shots or supplements to the box turtle. You need to provide a balanced diet to the box turtle, and if you provide commercial foods to the box turtle, make sure the food is fresh and nutritious.

If you do not know which foods are rich in Vitamin A, I am adding a list here.

Foods that are rich in Vitamin A:

• Liver
• Apricots
• Whole fish
• Carrots
• Broccoli
  leaves
• Broccoli
  flowers
• Collard
  greens
• Kale
• Dandelion
  greens
• Yellow
  squash
• Turnip
  greens
• Mango
• Mustard
  greens
• Papaya
• Nectarines
• Parsley
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Sweet
  potatoes
• Peaches

Foods those are not rich in Vitamin A:

• White
  potatoes
• Bananas
• Lettuce
• Apples
• Oranges
• Summer
  squash
• Corn
• Grapes

These foods in your box turtle’s diet will help him to prevent Vitamin A deficiency.

Respiratory Infection

Box turtles have lungs, and they use air to breathe. So like other animals, they can catch a cold or experience respiratory infections or illness. Sometimes respiratory illness can be observed because of vitamin A deficiency too.

What Can Cause Respiratory Infection Or Illness To A Box Turtle?

• Bacteria
• Virus
• Fungi
• Cold air
• Cold environment
• Unhealthy
  enclosure
• Lack of
  Vitamin A
• Lack of
  nutrition

Any attack of bacteria, virus or fungi can cause respiratory illness to the box turtle.

Symptoms Of Respiratory Infection In A Box Turtle

• The box
  turtle will seem tired.
• The turtle
  will not move much.
• The box
  turtle will find difficulty in breathing.
• It seems
  afraid of water.
• The box
  turtle will experience a runny nose.
• You may
  notice mucous around the box turtle’s nostrils.
• The box
  turtle will suffer from puffy eyes.
• The pet will
  keep its mouth open most of the time.
• Whizzing,
  gasping, coughing, snoring, or persistent sneezing can be observed.
• The box
  turtle will lose appetite.
• The box
  turtle will spend a lot of time in the basking area or on the warm side of
  the enclosure.

Treatment Of Respiratory Infection Of A Box Turtle

You have to take the box turtle to a vet as soon as possible. The vet may take an x-ray and other tests of the box turtle to make sure the cause of this disease and the box turtle does not have pneumonia. The vet may suggest antibiotics in the form of injections, shots, nose drops or liquids to the box turtle.

• At first, if
  you have more than one box turtle, separate the sick box turtle
  immediately, and put it in a hospital tank.
• Keep the temperature
  of the tank between 83 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Increase the
  temperature of the basking area. Maintain the temperature between 93 to 95
  degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wipe the
  mucous from the box turtle’s mouth and nose.
• Provide a
  balanced diet to the box turtle. Make sure the diet is enriched with all
  vitamins and minerals.
• If the box
  turtle does not want to eat, you have to force it to eat.
• Besides a UV
  and heat lamp, you have to provide an infrared light to the enclosure. It
  helps the box turtle to fight the bacteria.
• When the box
  turtle is sick, you have to keep the light on 24/7.

An Ear Abscess

If you are looking for external ears of a box turtle, then you would not find one. Box turtles do not have regular ears like use, but they have middle ears. So they have a chance of getting an ear infection.

Ear infection of a box turtle is called abscess in-ear. Ear abscess can cause pain to the box turtle. Big lumps can start growing on the side of the box turtle’s head because of it.

Unlike humans, a weekly dose of an antibiotic won’t help your box turtle. In most cases, the box turtle would need minor surgery to clean the lump. Experienced box turtle owners can treat ear abscess of the box turtles by themselves. But if you are new, or do not know much about it, you should take the pet to a vet.

How Would You Recognize An Ear Abscess In A Box Turtle?

The abscess in the ear of the box turtle is a soft and cheesy looking lump. It is a collection of pus, dead tissues, and bacteria.

Lumps are quite visible. You may notice a lump on one side of the turtle’s head or both sides. So you do not need to look for other symptoms.

If an ear abscess is not treated timely, it starts swelling. If the lumps get big enough, it will burst into pieces. It may create a worse situation for the box turtle. And also, it causes much pain to your pet box turtle.

Why Does Ear Abscess Happen To A Box Turtle?

• Infection in
  the middle ear of the box turtle.
• If the
  respiratory treatment gets untreated, it may cause ear abscess of a box
  turtle.
• Vitamin A
  deficiency can also cause ear abscess.

Treatment Of Ear Abscess Of A Box Turtle

You have to open up the lump to clear the gunk. If you are inexperienced, you should not take the risk. Take your box turtle to a vet for better treatment.

The vet will give anesthesia to the box turtle so that it does not feel any pain. Then he will cut a small hole to drain the gunk. The vet will not close the hole because it opens a chance for the abscess to come back.

The vet can give a shot of antibiotics for farther protection from an ear abscess. You have to maintain the medication the vet suggests. After the minor surgery, you have to clean the wound regularly.

Can You Prevent An Ear Abscess In A Box Turtle?

It is obvious that no one can guarantee the full prevention of your box turtle from an ear abscess. But you can try some advice to prevent as much as you can.

• Give proper
  treatment of a cold as quickly as possible.
• Provide
  nutritiously and a balanced diet.
• Maintain 60%
  to 80% humidity inside the enclosure.

An ear abscess is a common disease in a box turtle. It is not life-threatening, but ignoring the condition can cause harm to your pet turtle.

Shell Rot

Shell rot indicates shell infection of a box turtle. It is a common disease in a box turtle.

Why Does Shell Rot Happen To A Box Turtle?

Shell rot is a fungal or bacterial infection of a box turtle. If your box turtle’s shell is damaged in an accident, there is a chance that the box turtle may suffer from shell rot.

Any scratch, crack or open wounds on the shell can be infected by bacteria or fungus. When the number of bacteria or fungus increases, the shell begins to rot. The rot can even reach the bone and causes the cavity to the turtle’s body, which is a severe condition.

If you are thinking that the condition occurs only because of heavy damage on the shell, then you are wrong. It can happen just because of a simple cut or scratch.

Symptoms Of Shell Rot In A Box Turtle

• Pitting of
  scutes
• Soft spots
  on the shell
• Fluid under
  the shell of the box turtle
• Discharge of
  nasty smell
• Shell plate
  falling off
• Tissues are
  exposing

Treatment Of Shell Rots In A Box Turtle

The treatment of shell rot is not hard. You can do it at home or you can take your pet to a vet.

The first step of the treatment is debridement. It means the removal of the dead tissues from the shell. You can do this in two ways.

1. Scrape the
   dead cells with a scalpel blade
2. Cut the dead
   areas

Prepare a betadine solution, and soak the sell with it. Let the solution dry on the shell or wait for at least ten minutes. Now scrub the shell with a surgeon hand brush to clean the leftover flakes or debris.

You can use a toothbrush instead of a surgeon’s hand brush. Rinse the shell with fresh water. Make sure the solution dry on the shell. Repeat the process for several days.

If your box turtle is suffering from shell rot, make sure it is not getting into the water source. You can soak its body and shell with a clean towel. After soaking, keep it in a warm area to dry.

In this situation, you have to make sure that the box turtle is getting sufficient UV rays and heat. You have to maintain the perfect temperature in the enclosure.

The vet will suggest some antibiotics for the box turtle. Antibiotic is a must in this condition. Silver sulfadiazine cream or any other topical antibiotic cream can be applied on the rot. You must ask the vet for proper medication.

The injection can also work for shell rot. If you use cream or dilute solutions on the shell, make sure it dries on the shell. Otherwise, it will have no effect on the shell.

Sick turtles have a tendency to avoid food. But it will make them weak and vulnerable to more diseases. So you have to provide an appropriate diet to the box turtle. If the box turtle is not eating, you have to feed it forcefully.

Shell rot is not a severe disease, but it can harm the box turtle if it is not treated immediately. The healing may take some time, but take care of the box turtle and provide proper care to it.

Shell Peeling

Shell peeling or shedding is a natural process for the box turtles. A box turtle whole body is covered with numerous scutes. These scutes are made of keratin. If the scutes of a box turtle’s body start falling off, it is called shell peeling or shell shedding.

Why Does A Box Turtle Peel Its Shell?

• A box turtle
  is not made of rubbery skin. So when the box turtle grows larger, its
  shell accommodates into a bigger size by peeling off the old shell.
• If the bones
  get bigger, the old shell falls off.
• A box turtle
  peels to keep the shell clean and germ-free.
• If a box
  turtle gets an injury or shell damage, it tries to heal itself by peeling
  off the old scutes.
• A box turtle
  sometimes peels off its shell because of medical conditions.

How Would You Recognize If The Shedding Is Healthy Or Not?

In most cases, the shedding or shell peeling is healthy for a box turtle. But sometimes it can be unhealthy or indicates a disease. You can know it by examining the old scutes that have fallen off.

The fallen scutes have to be transparent. If it looks thick, then it indicated unhealthy peeling. Unhealthy peeling occurs if the box turtle is sick or its shell is damaged.

Reasons For Unhealthy Peeling Of A Box Turtle

• If the box
  turtle is overfed, it may experience unhealthy peeling.
• Fast growth
  rate
• It the
  basking area temperature is too hot for the box turtle, unhealthy peeling
  can happen.
• Fungal
  infection.
• High ammonia
  in the environment and in the water source.
• Several diseases.

Can We Prevent Unhealthy Peeling?

Sometimes you may observe that the box turtle is not peeling at all. It is as dangerous as unhealthy peeling. In both cases, you can follow some instructions.

1. Maintain the
   temperature of the enclosure.
2. Make sure the
   box turtle is getting enough UV lights.
3. Provide
   sufficient calcium, vitamin D in its daily diet.

I can not assure you that your box turtle will not experience any premature peeling if you follow these instructions. But by maintaining these, there is a high possibility that both your problems will be solved.

Bone Disease

Metabolic bone disease or MBD is a condition that develops when a box turtle does not get enough calcium in its diet or absorb enough calcium from its diet. It can affect the box turtle’s shell, beak, and nail. It also affects the box turtles internal organs. This can shorten the pet’s lifespan.

What Causes Metabolic Bone Disease In A Box Turtle?

• When there
  is insufficient calcium in the box turtle’s diet, it may suffer from metabolic
  bone disease.
• The wrong
  ratio of calcium and phosphorous can cause metabolic bone disease to a box
  turtle.
• Insufficient
  Vitamin D in the diet can cause this condition to the box turtle.
• Lack of UV
  rays can also cause this medical condition.

Now you have to understand that the lack of UV rays does not cause metabolic bone disease to a box turtle. This ray helps your box turtle to absorb vitamin D and calcium. It means no matter how much Vitamin D or Calcium you provide to a box turtle, it won’t work unless it is absorbed.

The calcium and phosphorous ratio should be 2:1 in the diet. This proportion is important because if the ration goes wrong, the box turtle may suffer from MBD.

Treatment Of Metabolic Bone Disease

You have to take the pet to the vet as soon as possible. The vet may do some tests on the box turtle to identify the main problem. Follow the instructions and prescriptions the vet recommends.

The box turtle may need vitamin shots. Provide the box turtle proper diet, and provide a high-quality UV light. UV light will help the box turtle to absorb vitamin, phosphorous and calcium.

Prevention of metabolic bone disease of a box turtle

Any inexperienced and sometimes the experienced turtle owners can not determine this disease. So often this disease shortens the box turtle’s lifespan. It is why you should try to prevent the disease.

• Provide a
  balanced diet to the box turtle.
• Make sure
  the box turtle is getting a sufficient amount of calcium and phosphorous.
• Set up a
  high-quality UV light.
• Give it a
  proper meal that contains Vitamin D.

Symptoms Of Metabolic Bone Disease Of A Box Turtle

• You may
  observe soft shell condition
• The box
  turtle will have trouble walking
• The pet will
  drag its hind legs
• Its legs
  will be splayed
• The shell
  will have an abnormal growth
• The scutes
  will look bumpy
• The box
  turtle will fail to hide inside the hinge
• The box
  turtle’s nails will curve outward
• Its beak may
  grow bigger

Young box turtles suffer from a deformed shell more than the adult box turtles in metabolic bone disease. If you can not determine the disease from these symptoms, you should take it to a vet.

Internal Parasite

Internal parasites mean tiny, microscopic organisms. These creatures live inside the body of another animal and sustain their life inside the host animal. The host animal’s body is the main source of their food and life.

The animals who have warm blood can not host parasites, but reptiles like box turtles are cold-blooded. So they are very welcoming to these internal parasites.

Most common parasites are:

1. Flukes or
   tapeworm
2. Nematodes or
   roundworms
3. Protozoa

As these parasites live inside the box turtle’s body and eat the minerals, the box turtle gets weaker. The box turtle will also get vulnerable to diseases. It may suffer from shell rot, fungus, and respiratory diseases and so on.

How Does A Box Turtle Become Infected With Parasites?

• The box
  turtle may eat unhealthy food that contains parasite eggs.
• It can
  spread from the water bowl.

In most cases, the box turtle gets it from food and an unhealthy environment.

Symptoms And Treatment

As it is an internal issue, you can not determine for sure. That is why I suggest regular worm checking. The vet may run some tests and can tell you if your box turtle is growing any parasite inside or not. On the other hand, you may observe weight loss, regular vomiting or diarrhea.

You have to follow the prescription of the vet. The vet may suggest some medicines or shot to the box turtle.

Scratches

A box turtle may get scratches or cuts on its skin or shell for many reasons. If the box turtle meets an accident, it may get scratches or cuts. Again, if it involves fighting with another turtle, or any predators attack the turtle, it can get scratches. The scratches can occur from the sharp edge of the enclosure.

Treatments

If the injury is minor, you can treat it with a first aid kit.

• You would
  need disinfectants for this. Some disinfectants are chlorohexidine,
  betadine solution, triple antibiotic ointment, cotton-tipped applicators,
  surgical tape, and gauge tape.
• Clean the
  cuts with disinfectant. You can use chlorohexidine or weak betadine
  solution.
• You have to
  continue the cleaning until the wound heals.
• If the wound
  is deep, cover it with a gauze or band-aid.
• If you see
  any types of infections, like redness, pus, foul smell, you have to apply
  ointment on the wound.

If you see no progress, you have to take the box turtle to a vet for strong medications.

Cautions

• You have to
  soak the box turtle twice a day if it is on an antibiotic.
• The box
  turtle should not be fully submerged in water.
• Provide
  ample hydration to the box turtle because many antibiotics contain toxic
  elements. Ample hydration can eliminate toxic elements.

Insects Or Fly Eggs On The Box Turtle’s Skin

Insects or fly eggs on the box turtle’s skin is not a usual phenomenon. It happens after a fatal accident. If the wound of the box turtle remains open, it can attract insects. This type of case should be treated immediately.

Treatment

• Remove
  insects or fly eggs from the wound. Use tweezers to do it.
• Clean the
  area with a disinfectant. Chlorhexidine, betadine solution, triple
  antibiotic ointment, and cotton-tipped applicators, surgical tape, and
  gauge tape can be used.
• Apply
  antibiotic ointment on the wound.
• Make sure
  the enclosure is free from any type of insects or fly eggs.

You can wash mites with soapy water. Do not forget to move the box turtle to a different enclosure.

Preventions

• Do not keep
  any food inside the enclosure for too long. It attracts insects.
• If the box
  turtle has any open cut or wound, clean and protect it immediately.

If you do not treat this condition immediately, it can cause more complexions. If the condition is severe, you have to visit a vet.

Irregular Shell Growth

Irregular shell growth is an indication of metabolic bone disease. It can have an adverse effect on the box turtle.

Symptoms

1. The shell of
   the box turtle may look bumpy.
2. The head of
   the pet may look abnormal.
3. The beak and
   nails may grow larger than usual.

Treatment

You have to follow the same treatment and prevention as metabolic bone disease.

Closed/Shut-Eye

It is a common eye disease for a box turtle. You may observe that your box turtle is not opening its eyes if it has shut-eye conditions. The disease is not severe as long as the eyes are not puffy and swollen.

Why Do Shut Eyes Happen To The Box Turtle?

• If the
  environment of the habitat is dry for the box turtle, shut-eye conditions
  can happen.
• If the
  environment is unhealthy and unhygienic, the box turtle may suffer from
  shut eyes.
• If the diet
  lacks Vitamin A, the box turtle will have a shut-eye condition.
• Bacterial
  conjunctive.

Treatment For Shut Eyes

1. You have to
   maintain the humidity level in the enclosure so that the box turtle does
   not find it dry.
2. You can use
   the triple antibiotic or artificial tears to soak the shut eyes.
3. You have to provide
   fresh water to the box turtle.
4. Make sure
   the box turtle is getting a proper and balanced diet regularly.

Swollen Eye

Swollen eyes can be severe if you do not give proper treatment to the box turtle. In many cases, the box turtle goes blind due to a lack of care and proper treatment.

Why Do Swollen Eyes Happen To The Box Turtle?

1. Dirty and
   unhygienic water
2. lack of
   vitamin A

Symptoms

• Eyelids of
  the box turtle will be puffier. It will get puffier with time, and the
  condition will get worse.
• The orbital
  glands and conjunctiva of the pet will become red and puffy.
• Fluids can
  flow from the turtle’s eyes.
• The turtle
  will lose appetite.
• The box
  turtle will lose weight.
• The pet will
  not able to see anything.

Treatment

I have mentioned two reasons for swollen eyes of the box turtle. How would you know which one is responsible for the condition? If the Harderian gland of the turtle starts swelling, it is because of the lack of vitamin A. If the glands are not swelling, then dirty water is responsible for the condition.

1. You have to
   provide a balanced diet to the box turtle.
2. Try to add
   vegetables and fruits to the diet.
3. Provide
   fresh water to the water source.
4. Wash the
   water source regularly.

Closed And Puffy Eye

We often get confused between closed eyes and closed and puffy eyes. These two conditions are not the same.

Closed and puffy eyes occur to the box turtle because of respiratory illness and vitamin A deficiency. It is hard for us to determine the condition. You have to take the box turtle to the vet.

The vet would suggest some medicines. Try to follow that. Moreover, you have to provide a nutritious diet to the box turtle and make sure the enclosure is clean and hygienic.

Scratched Eye

A box turtle can get scratches on its eyes for many reasons. If the box turtle involves in a fight with another box turtle or it gets attacked by any animal, or in an accident. If the case is severe, the box turtle can go blind.

You can apply some home remedies to the condition. You can apply some human eye medicine to the box turtle’s eyes, but make sure the medicine is free from steroids. Let the medicine dry for thirty minutes. Make sure the enclosure or habitat of the box turtle is clean.

If the condition is severe, the turtle may need some professional help.

Eye Rot

It is a serious eye problem of the box turtle. The surroundings of the eyelids start rotting if it happens to the box turtle. In case of a bacterial or fungal infection, this condition can happen.

Eye rot is a very serious condition, and if you find any sign of eye rot, take your box turtle to the vet as soon as possible. The vet will give some medicines which you should follow strictly.

Moreover, this condition is contagious. So you have to isolate the sick turtle from the other pets.

Eye Infection

It is a bacterial infection. It is rare for the captive box turtles. Wild box turtles mainly suffer from eye infection after coming out from hibernation.

Swollen and shut eyes are the main signs of eye infection. Mucous or fluid can be discharged from the turtle’s eyes.

The best you can do for the box turtle is to clean its habitat. You have to take the pet to the vet, and follow his prescription.

Bloody Eyes

Bloody eyes condition is not dangerous for the box turtle. You may observe blood inside the eyeball of the box turtle. There is no home remedy for this condition.

In many cases, the box turtle heals itself in this condition. You can consult a vet for more advice.

Click here to know more details about the eye problems of a box turtle.

Mouth Rot

Mouth rot indicates that the box turtle has a weak immune system. That is why many call this disease as an opportunistic disease. Fungus and bacteria are mainly responsible for the condition.

If the box turtle is suffering from mouth rot, it will show some signs.

1. White cheesy
   stuff will grow on the turtle’s palate.
2. These will
   look like hardened pus and dead skin.
3. These can
   spot the tongue with red blisters.

Take the box turtle to a vet as soon as you see any signs. You have to make sure that the box turtle is getting a nutritious diet. Try to develop its immune system.

Lumps On Cheek

This condition is similar to an ear abscess. The treatment is almost the same.

Cracked Shell

The shell of a box turtle can be cracked by fatal accidents. You have to take the box turtle to a vet immediately. The wound needs proper cleanup.

The vet will push injection to the box turtle. The box turtle can get peritonitis septicemia if bacteria enter the blood from the cracked shell. You may notice the pooling of blood under the plastron in this condition.

You have to keep the box turtle under the vet’s observation as long as the wound does not heal.

Paralyzed Leg

Box turtle with a paralyzed leg can be a problem for the owners. This can happen for many reasons.

1. Vitamin A
   deficiency
2. Mineral
   deficiency
3. Injury
4. Tumor
5. Birth defect

Sometimes the condition can be treated; sometimes there is nothing you can do. You have to take the pet to the vet, and he will decide what can be done with the paralyzed leg.

Overgrown Beaks

In this condition, the beak of the box turtle grows abnormal. It is a symptom of metabolic bone disease. The condition simply indicates that the box turtle is not getting a proper diet.

You can consult a vet for the condition. Besides, make sure that the box turtle is getting enough calcium and vitaminD3 in its diet.

Overgrown Of Nails

It is not actually a disease. In wild, box turtles have many things to do. But in captivity, a box turtle gets everything. So due to the lack of exercise, the nails of the box turtle may grow longer. Sometimes overgrown nails make it difficult for the box turtle to walk properly.

You can trim the nails with an electric trimmer. Do not make the nails too short.

Organ Disease

Organ disease or organ failure is the same thing. Kidney failure and liver failure are the two most common organ diseases. Kidney failure happens if the diet contains too much protein. Liver failure causes if the calcium is not properly absorbed by the body.

A box turtle’s life can be damaged because of many reasons.

• Vitamin A
  deficiency
• Overdose of
  medication
• Parasites
• Prolonged ill
  health

There is nothing you can do in these conditions. You can consult a vet to lessen the pain of the box turtle.

Organ Prolapse

It is a life-threatening problem for the box turtle. It can occur for many reasons and different are involved in this condition. Intestine, cloaca or penis is the most common parts that are affected because of organ prolapse.

Symptoms Of Organ Prolapse

• The box
  turtle will avoid food.
• It will
  spend a lot of time straining prior to the prolapse.
• The turtle
  may suffer from constipation.

In this condition, the box turtle needs proper care and treatment. You should take your box turtle to the vet, and do as he says.

Many of these diseases have similarities between them, which makes it difficult for us to determine the real reason behind the disease. I will try to put a comparison between the common diseases.

Shell Rot And Shell Peeling

Shell rot	Shell peeling
Shell rot is a common disease for the box turtle.	Shell peeling is healthy if it occurs because of the growth.
If a scratch or wound on the shell gets infected by bacteria or fungus, this condition occurs.	If the box turtle is overfed or lives in an unhealthy environment, unhealthy shell peeling can happen.

Internal Parasites And Insects On The Skin

Internal parasite	Insects on the skin
This condition occurs because of Flukes or tapeworms, Nematodes or roundworms, Protozoa.	This condition occurs if any insect starts living on the open wound on the box turtle’s skin.
The parasite enters the body through mouth and food.	This happens because of an unhygienic enclosure.

Closed Eyes And Closed And Puffy Eyes

Closed eyes	Closed and puffy eyes
Closed eyes occur because of a dry environment.	Closed and puffy eyes occur because of an unhealthy environment and Vitamin A deficiency.

Can We Prevent Most Diseases?

We can not prevent many diseases, but if you are careful enough we can reduce the loss.

Here are some tips I would like to share which can help you to prevent diseases of a box turtle.

1. Make sure
   the enclosure is clean.
2. Provide a
   healthy and balanced diet to the box turtle. To know about the box
   turtle’s balanced diet click the
   link.
3. Set up
   high-quality heat lamps and UV lamps in the enclosure.
4. Make sure
   the water source is clean.
5. Do regular
   check-ups of the box turtle.
6. Clean the
   enclosure regularly.

How To Set Up A Hospital Tank For The Box Turtle?

The hospital tank is not a must, but you should build one if you house multiple box turtle together. You can use a 20-gallon tank or a 31-gallon tank for this. Make sure the tank is spacious enough for the box turtle.

Set up a heat lamp, UV lamps, and other heating accessories. You have to cover the tank with a sheet. You have to use a thick, clean towel as a substrate. You can use moist sphagnum moss if you want.

You have to add a waterproof hiding area. Make sure the heating lights are on for 12 to 14 hours. Readymade hospital tanks for the box turtles are available on the pet shops. You can buy one if you want.

How Would You Know If Your Box Turtle Is Sick Or Not

• Change in
  behavior
• Change in
  food habit
• Spots on the
  shell or skin
• Soft shell
• Dry shell
• Dry skin
• Red spots on
  the skin
• Runny nose
• Lumps on
  skin
• Swelling
  eyes
• Discharge
  from mouth edge
• Wet, sticky
  eyes
• Avoid water
• The box
  turtle can not submerge in the water
• The box
  turtle wants more heat
• Cottage
  cheese stuffs in mouth
• Pale mouth
• Bad smell
• Organ
  prolapse
• Puffy tissue
• Abnormal
  shell
• Abnormal
  organs

If you notice any sign from above, your box turtle may be sick. If you can not find the disease by yourself, take the box turtle to a vet.

Euthanasia To A Box Turtle

We are familiar with euthanasia. But when comes to a box turtle, we have to be more careful while applying euthanasia. You should never apply euthanasia by yourself to the box turtle as you are not an expert.

In some severe conditions, the vet may give euthanasia to the box turtle to lessen its pain. There are some other ways of lessening the pain, but it is the safest method.

That is all for now. I have tried to explain each disease as much as I can. I hope it will help you guys to take care of your box turtle.