Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year. I am still treating this little Box Turtle(about 5" long) found a bit chewed up(dogs?) and I expect this will take awhile. The Doc has me swabbing her off with diluted Betadine and then applying Neosporin once daily. Of course she is being kept within the warmth guidlines and on a varied diet. She eats very well and is active in the mornings especially.

The front part of the shell which lays over the neck has about 1/2" of the shell missing(that's the most, the other "nibbles" are not so extensive)and the bottom rim of the underside of that dome is chewed also but not nearly so deeply. There's no deep puncture wounds. The Plastron right at the hinge is injured but the "trap door" shuts quite well. Also there are irregular areas of what I think is scarring on the dome of the shell which look rather superficial except for one area about the size of a dime which is a layer deeper.
Am I looking at a year or so for healing? And does missing shell on these anterior and ventral areas grow back eventually? I am more used to mammals and their rate of healing.

thanks so much.....LQ

Thank You Ian...didn't realize that the signs would always be there. NO trouble to care for her at all. I have just moved her into a large "Wading Pool" with some "Bed a Beast" coco fiber bedding along with some potting soil and reptile chips.Then re hung her lighting and replaced the plants. I had some young parsley and strawberry plants so they might as well spend the winter with the turtle! LOL Might as well utilize the warmth for other things.
Found a couple of the heavy plastic carpet protector runners on sale so they are encircling the wading pool so the turtle, "Annie" can't scramble out.

Thanks again..that is helpful information and now i know it will be a long haul. I'll stock up on Neosporin!

LQ

Couldn't tell exactly what Ian told you since his post wasn't visible but I agree, the chewed areas will not really grow back. I've rehabbed quite a few dog chewed turtles and besides topically treating them, I give them a few light doses of Baytril as an infection preventive. If the turtle goes off feed later or you notice any bad smell coming from the areas, it may need injectable antibiotics too. I've discovered that areas are no longer oozing after about 2 weeks at the most and no longer need ointment. If a female and the rear margins are missing use caution when putting her in where males could mate with her. The healed tissues that are normally not exposed could be injured by a males toenails. Click on the link below for reliable care info.

Also see: http://www.gctts.org/WS/WS.php/Public/BoxTurtleDiet
box turtle care

Thanks Anita! This is the only turtle I have so no worries about other turtles. She was given AB's by the Doc and is doing well. I guess she will just be scared. As long as she feels well and eats good, which she does, I guess I won't worry.
I"ll keep up the Betadine and Neosporin then for awhile.
T
This morning I didn't like the "Bed a Beast" stuff clinging to the wounds. I am thinking I may cover it with the reptile bedding wood chips until she is healed a bit better.

Washed her off well with mild soap and water and then applied the meds. This is going to be a long process isn't it? Hmmm this seems to be a strange font that is on here?

Thanks again.....LQ

Until she is healed, you should keep her on newspaper so she stays cleaner. Don't allow her to just soak in a water dish long either.

Thanks Anita! Very good advice and the Doc did warn me about not letting her stay in the water. I was a bit surprised about how much they like to soak so I let her have her drink and greens in the AM and then take the large water tray away.

I have just gone to the reptile chips in her habitat now, don't care much for newspaper 'cause of the inks. She stays clean now that I have her off of the "Bed a Beast"fibers.

Thanks for your response, I appreciate it.

LQ