Between 2011 and 2020, the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre's veterinary hospital admitted 6,335 turtles of eight different species, with 3,246 being midland painted turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata). At the time of admission from the wild, aural abscesses were present in 26 of the painted turtles (0.8%). Aural abscesses were never observed in juvenile turtles and were not found in any other species of turtle admitted to the hospital. An equal number of males and females were affected. All cases showed signs of chronicity. Abscesses alone did not appear to affect the overall health of turtles regardless of clinical signs. All turtles with abscesses as the sole cause for admission were released after successful treatment.
Keywords: Chrysemys picta marginata; Aural abscess; Ontario Canada; painted turtle; polychlorinated biphenyl.
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