Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all, I just recieved a injured eastern box turtle female. She is in good health except for a compressed wound where the shell has been crushed into the body cavity. It is on her back on the left hand side. She is not bleeding at this time, but I would like to repair the shell and asset her for hibernation.. If anyone could please walk me through the basic techiques for properly repairing this shell with the correct substance and providing the necessary medical treatment to prevent infection, I would sure appericate it. I have many box turtles of my own, but have never fixed a compressed shell before. Any information would be a help. Thank you in advance.

Brenda

Brenda,
If you don't get any responses, try checking out this link under the heading 'turtle rehab stories': its the website of one of the moderators here on Kingsnake, and may contain enough info to get you headed in the right direction. Or, check with a local herp vet, rehabber, rescue society or herp society, if you haven't already done so.
Hibernation may not be advisable, depending on the extent of the injuries.
I haven't had to do any shell repair (yet) but one bit of info I'll pass along that was suggested to me was to use something called 2-ton epoxy rather than a fiberglass type patching epoxy or compound, as it does not heat up excessively during the curing process.
regards and good luck
Stephanie
Link

Thank you so much for the link, I found the information both informative and useful.. Im having a hard time finding a reptile specialist for turtles in my area, so Im trying to find out all I can to help this little lady out. She seem to be in pretty good condition considering the compression wound in her back. She has a lot of spunk. This injury seem to have happened a while back as it shows signs of heeling on it's own. But, with a wound as this, I want to get it patched so that infection doesn't sit in. Hibernation is apon us and it is by the grace of God that I was able to get her so that if hibernation is not recomemed for her. I have the ability to house her indoors for the winter.
Thank you again for directing me to this valuable link!

Brenda

Find as much information on repairing shells as possible before attempting to do so. Infection can actually get trapped inside and the turtle should probably have a round of antibiotics first. When repairing be sure not to get any "repair material" between the pieces of shell, as it is living tissue/bone and needs to have contact to heal. If it is a old injury, it may not heal if the blood supply has been cut off. Wires may also help repair fractures which involve the edge of the shell (requires having her put under). If the shell is compressed, it may of punctured the membrane between the shell and the body and pulling the shell up and out may cause more trauma than is already present.

Recently got one with a piece of shell which penetrates the lung and am left with the option of leaving it and hoping the body walls it off or pulling and hoping she doesn't bleed to death or leaving a gaping hole in the lung.

Keep looking for someone with experience doing this as it is not as easy as it seems like it should be. Do you have any rehab facilities nearby?

Good luck, jen

Hi Jen,
I understand what you are talking about. I havent really gotten to examine her as well as I need to right now, with other problems that everyday life bring, but this is a wound that has been healing a little while, a week or so I would say... there is no bleeding I just want to get it real cleaned up and checked for infectious signs myself. After sppending 450.00 on my cat last Friday, I really haven't much funds for Veternian costs.

Im pretty sure that I will not hibernate this turtle for the Winter. I have tryed contacting local rescues for advise. The main response seem to be that I will need to spend the money to have it looked at. Of course the only one local that has responed to my questions are in the northern part of the state, and not close by.

Im trying to find out as much as I can as well. Im not worried for her safety as far as an emergency.. Only I want to get this turlte cleaned up correctly and Im sure that I can figure the rest out..

I have read that I could use Novalsan @ 10% or a betadine solution @10%. The Novalsan is better.
Fine, I use to work as a pet groomer in a Vet hosp. I called to see if they had any Novalsan..they did not, How does your average joe go about getting the correct items need to get the job done?

Does anyone have the home recipe version??

I take care of my turtles I have 10 others. This is my first with such a bad injury.. If I was a turtle the last thing would like would be a whole in my shell..
Brenda

Brenda,
Novalsan is the brand name for chlorhexidine. Below is a link to a veterinary supply catalog co. that had the lowest price I could find (even after shipping $$). They don't really have much of a reptile supply section but if you have other pets it could be a good resource for you.
What state do you live in?
Stephanie
Link

That link didn't go to the page I'd intended. Just type in chlorhexidine in the search box and you should be magically transported to the correct page.

Stephanie

Sodium chloride may be a better choice to begin the clean-up procedure, especially if there is any chance there is any opening into the body. It is about the only thing I use on any turtles coming into rehab and really only use chlorahexadine or betadine on a superficial wounds or abcesses.

A bag should only cost @$5 from the vet. Ask for 0.9% Sodium Chloride for injection. You will need to have a large syringe and needles to get it out of the bag for flush. Just remove the needle when you go to flush.

I can't stress the importance of a round of systemic antibiotics. Would your vet at least pull up some injections and sell them to you? Get her weight in grams first. Ask for Baytril 22 injectible and have them dose at 5-10 mg/kg (depending on severity of infection) for 5-7 treatments given every other day. Do it subcutaneously (in area between head and leg) diluted with sterile fluids using an insulin syringe.

Turtle rehab is expensive . I am on my way today to have one with damage to his leg sutured up and taking the other one to see if we can dislodge the piece of shell in her lung. It is one thing after another!! If I didn't have a willing vet and donated meds, there is no way I could afford turtle rehab.

Below is a link to rehabilitators by state. Maybe there is one nearby who can help this poor turtle out and release her next spring?

No, I would not consider hibernation either.

Good luck and hope this helps, jen
How to Locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Another link which may be helpful.
Practical Shell Repair for Vets

Thank you very much Branta for all the useful information. I will try my best to see if I can do this little turtle some good.. Meantime, she is resting comfortably inside with her own enclosure, and as I sit here and type this at 5 am. she has LOTS of crickets inside there chirping away. I must have scooped up quite a few in the pile of leaves I brought in for her it dig through.
I hope to gather some information from the Living Muesuem later today. prehaps someone there can assist me futher as well.

Thanks,
Brenda