When there is shattered shell, but most of the pieces are still there, it is amazing what some screws, wire, and careful placement can do. It's really amazing. In those instances, epoxy is no doubt more harm than good. The problem comes with large areas of missing shell. That area is well below structural standards for a box turtle in the wild, even after full healing(which is the only time I've ever personally used the epoxy). If I start finding out that epoxy is harmful or ineffective in the long run, I will dismiss is as a viable option. My goal was always to return the animals to the wild, but maybe this case warrants placement in a home.

Ian, I appreciate your input. You obviously are either a Vet yourself or work in the field in some capacity. It's always good to hear about the latest news regarding treatment protocols. It's SO hard to find a Vet that will work on wildlife, let alone an exotic Vet to work on our pets. More often than not, wildlife rehabbers know more than Vets about wildlife...and that's a darn shame. Most of us do this in our spare time, and don't have the opportunity to research the latest and greatest. I wanted to ask you about water therapy...do you use sterile saline, chlorhexidine solution, or just tap water?

Ratz, I've been wanting to ask your opinion on Baytril. The specialty exotic Vets around me have given us strong warning to refrain from using this Ab in chelonians. It sounds like your Vet is very informed. If you remember, can you ask his/her opinion on this. I know that we can sometimes get carried away with changing protocols when there's even a whiff of negative research.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Suspected Farm Machinery Injury - AubreyHepburn, Sun Jun 4 21:24:14 2006
• RE: Suspected Farm Machinery Injury - kensopher, Mon Jun 5 05:10:38 2006
• Epoxy more harm than good...more - joeysgreen, Tue Jun 6 04:19:46 2006
• RE: Epoxy more harm than good...more - PHRatz, Tue Jun 6 09:35:20 2006
• RE: Epoxy more harm than good...more - AubreyHepburn, Tue Jun 6 13:12:50 2006
• RE: Epoxy more harm than good...more - kensopher, Thu Jun 8 18:44:49 2006
• RE: Epoxy more harm than good...more - joeysgreen, Sat Jun 10 08:41:52 2006
• RE: Epoxy more harm than good...more - PHRatz, Sat Jun 10 09:20:09 2006
• RE: Epoxy more harm than good...more - kensopher, Sat Jun 10 15:35:36 2006
• RE: Epoxy more harm than good...more - StephF, Sat Jun 10 15:45:47 2006
• RE: Epoxy more harm than good...more - PHRatz, Sun Jun 11 10:33:23 2006
• Something everyone should aim for - joeysgreen, Tue Jun 13 15:41:25 2006
• RE: Something everyone should aim for - PHRatz, Wed Jun 14 09:25:54 2006