Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I recently went frogging with my son and caught a large frog that had a turle in it's stomach. Unfortunately, the turtle was still alive and my son had me "save" it.

I rinsed it off real well and have been trying to take care of it but think it's eyes and nose suffered damage from the acid in the frogs belly. It's eyes have swollen shut and it's nose looked raw and is now whitish, almost like scar tissue.

It is active... randomly swiming around and bumping into things but I can't get it to eat. It quickly turns away from anything put in front of it... I don't think it can smell the food and it definately can't see it.

I fear that if it doesn't eat soon... it will start to starve to death and I will need to put it down so it doesn't suffer.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me or would it be better off being put down?

I'd appreciate any help. I've never had a turtle before and am hopelessly lost.

Thanks

I would suggest taking the turtle to a veterinarian with experience in reptiles or a wildlife rehabilitation center to get their opinion. That's the best thing I could probably tell you to do. As for keeping it, turtles don't make good pets and you will probably have trouble with this one, as it is both blind and a wild specimen. My advise is to take the turtle to a reptile vet or wildlife rehab center if you can, they will know best. Good luck.

well i have delt with many turtles in the last few years but never have i heard of a frog eating a turtle so it must be a very small turtle this would make this turtles situation worse because he is still developing so i would recomend sending this turtle to a vet or recomend sending it to someone with more work with turtles but i would not recomend killing the animal
You can email if you have any specific questions at shadeyshader@yahoo.com but keep the turtle clean and the contaner it is in please contact me if you have any info on you turtles condition

Gary Shade II
Michigan

It could be that the turtle isn't blind but scared. You
said it turns and swims away when you place something in
front of it. If you were close to me I would certainly take
it and try to help. How long have you had it?

Linda

Yes, do not kill this turtle and yes, please tell us your location (city/town and state). Perhaps someone here lives locally and can help.

BTW: What is "frogging?" You mean you catch frogs to cook and eat? This probably means you are in the southeast...