Turtle attacked by dog - Paw Talk

beansale · #1 06-23-2005, 01:25 PM

We have been dogsitting the neighbor's dog (a border collie), and to make a long story short, she got a hold of our box turtle yesterday. We thought at first that Sassy was dead, but she perked up pretty quick. She has a fairly large but shallow crack in the bottom of her shell. There is one spot that the shell is completely torn away from the rest of the shell, but is still attached to her skin. We have been soaking her in a water and peroxide bath every hour or so, and have her in a dry aquarium with a towel in there until she starts to heal. She's being extremely active (as usual), and doesn't seem bothered by it. The only concern I have is that there is one part of her shell that is a little pushed out (but still fully attached. It's not like there is inside parts that are pushing it out. More like the shell above it is behind it and pushing it out a bit. Do I need to push that part back in, or would I be pinching her? She looks much better than yesterday, and isn't even bleeding anymore. Also, should I cover up the main wound (she is in a very clean environment with nothing that can get in there) or just leave it open? And should I try putting neosporin type stuff on there? I am going to do more research, but wanted to get some input from you all first. Thanks so much. I can try and take a pic if that would help anyone.

Ilovesmepets · #2 06-23-2005, 05:19 PM

Could you take her to a vet? That would be the best thing to do. Good luck.

kittygirl109 · #3 06-23-2005, 05:40 PM

I agree with the need to take her to the vet. She may be okay now, but it could take effect in the future.

Mygala · #4 06-23-2005, 06:16 PM

Can't really get a picture of the injuries from your descriptioin..

Regardless, she needs to get to a vet asap..

Peroxide is NOT the disinfectant of choice here ..it can actually slow healing.

Antibiotics may be necessary, as well as shell repair. Her actvity level wouldn't be an indicator of infection, ..until it was too late to save her.

And NEVER let dogs have access to turtles.. This is all to common a story.

Bob

beansale · #5 06-23-2005, 07:27 PM

I really cannot afford a vet. This has been one of those things that I never expected to happen. My dog has never even showed any concern in the least bit about her. I had her closed up in my daughter's bedroom, but somehow the other dog got in. The wound looks 100 % better than it did yesterday. She is no longer bleeding, and the small amount of swelling she had yesterday is gone. Per my research online (all day), I found quite a few places that recommended bandaging it, so that's what I did. She is in a separate room from everyone, where she can rest and recuperate. I've read most places that Betadine is actually the best for disinfectant. Any ideas where I can get that? I don't know if they sell it at a pharmacy or something. I will try and get a pic of it later tonight, when I change her bandages. Thanks for the info. I'm going to give it through tonight, and decide tomorrow if I have to take her to the vet(which means no groceries for the next few weeks

((((

Ravnos · #6 06-23-2005, 07:36 PM

Turtles are remarkably resiliant, and shell cracks are an all too common occurance in the wild - from cars, predators, falls, or (for aquatic species) boats. Provided the crack stays clean and infection doesn't set in, they usually recover without much problem. I agree with everyone else, a vet visit is definitely in order. To at least gauge the amount of damage. I would recommend chlorhexidine (Novalsan name brand you can get at many feed/ranch supply stores, follow the instructions on the bottle for dilluting concentrate) over peroxide for just about any kind of wound cleaning with reptiles. Its more effective, and non-stinging. Peroxide can damage the growth of new blood vessels, thus reducing the amount of blood and thus oxygen carried to an area to allow tissue to repair itself. Its not really a very good antiseptic at all.

Rav

beansale · #7 06-23-2005, 08:32 PM

Thanks for all that info. I will look for that cleanser. Thanks again so much. She is being kept dry and clean. I have read about 50/50 for cool or warm. What are your guys' thoughts? She's in a room that is fairly warm (averaging 80 or so), and has a few towels in her temporary home ( an aquarium where it's the cleanest). She seems to be doing okay with that. I didn't know that about peroxide. Is that the case with humans as well? Maybe I shouldn't be using it on the family.
By the way, Rav, what kind of animal is in your little side picture thing? My 4 y/o really likes it LOL.
Thanks again.

Ravnos · #8 06-23-2005, 08:46 PM

Best thing is proper temperatures, normal basking area on one side and let her choose to go to the cooler side if she wants. Towels/paper towels, something that is easy to pull out and replace with something clean is best for substrate - to prevent any dirt getting into the wound.

Peroxide isn't that good of an antiseptic for humans either - for the same reasons. Plain old water, and a little neosporin will deal with scrapes and cuts for people just fine.

The little animal in my avatar is my African dormouse, Tinkles - I have a pair of them, but not sure what I'd ever do if they bred, since they were banned along with prairie dogs and Gambian pouched rats in the whole monkey pox thing.

Rav

beansale · #9 06-23-2005, 10:39 PM

We have towels and paper towels in there. I think that tomorrow I will clean out all the bedding from her regular tank and set her up there. Do you think she should still have access to her water bath, or just a small bowl for her to get drinks? I will be going first thing in the morning to get her the chlorhexedrine stuff. I saw one online at Petsmart that is a flush with that in it? Do you think that's sufficient, or should I go to my reptile store?
The dormouse is awful cute. How do you manage to have them if they are banned?

Ravnos · #10 06-24-2005, 01:27 AM

I'd give her access to a water bath, but make sure the water is kept very clean. Box turtles need their humidity. Make sure she's not putting any stress on the injury climbing in and out of the bowl.

I've never used a chlorhexidine from PetSmart, but something tells me it is the exact same thing and would work just fine, the stuff at a feed/ranch store is generally just in bulk size (keep in mind, a little goes a very long way).

I had my dormice and prairie dogs before the ban went into effect, so they are grandfathered in. I wish I had some Gambian rats too.

Rav

beansale · #11 06-25-2005, 01:22 PM

Sorry I haven't been able to update. My computer died again. Grrrr. Sassy is doing wonderfully. She ate some superworms last night (her favorite), and her wound seems to be healing quite well. I went to Petsmart, and the stuff that I originally saw online was not really what I wanted. It had chlorhexidine in it, but not until the second row in ingredients. I ended up finding an antibacterial cream, that is supposed to promote healing, and the main ingredient is chlorhexidine. I put some on her last night after her daily soak, and she seemed to actually enjoy it, after she got over being ticked off that I was touching her owie

I got her some more gauze, and she actually seems happier all wrapped up. I think that it bothers her front leg less when the wound is covered. She sure scarfed down those worms last night. I would assume that is a good sign. She actually seems back to normal, except for the wounds. But, don't worry. I am not going to just let her get back to her normal life. She's still going to be babied and spoiled rotten. Not that she wasn't before Hee Hee.
Thank you all so much, especially you Rav, for all your wonderful help and advice through this scary time. I will continue to keep you all updated. I have some other great news that I will post in a different thread.