my 3 toed box turtle has an ear infection. what will happen to him?

Answer 1

Turtles do not have open ear canals so there is no external drainage of the pus in ear infections. With no medical intervention the tympanic membrane may eventually rupture or the abscess may move back into the area around the eyes. Reptile pus forms as a solid rather then a liquid so as it accumulates it can exert enough pressure to damage the bones of the skull. These infections can grow so large that the turtle cannot eat or even turn its head. It can also lead to systemic infection.

It's not pleasant but you did ask.

Treatment involves lancing the area and removing the abscess.