Urgent Care :: HELP: Bleeding "underbelly" !

[gianoshoes]

I can't really tell for sure what's going on, except when I lifted her off the dock there was blood! When I looked under her there was a dark "swell"/ puffed out area about a quarter big on her belly. Sh'e s 4-5 inches big. I'm so worried and the only pet care I don't think does reptiles. What could this be?

[steve]

Is she with another turtle? Chances are there was some aggression. Check around the neck, tail and limbs for where there might be a cut. Where on her belly was there a swell?

[gianoshoes]

a little lower than the middle area, she was briefly in a tank with another turtle while I switched out the filter media. maybe 5 minutes...could a turtle harm the underbelly like this?

[steve]

I'm not sure I'm picturing what you saw. If she's still bleeding, you might want to dry dock her somewhere warm and quiet. I would definitely check with a vet, or perhaps ask a local member from the California Turtle and Tortoise Club (CTTC) for any recommendations.

[gianoshoes]

yeah, on closer inspection it looks like the dark spot/swell is internal bleeding of some kind... I have her in a dry dock right now out of the tank.

[steve]

If it's internal bleeding, I would really get her checked out. There's no certainty to what caused it, but if it's significant enough to cause damage like that then it should receive some professional attention.