Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 7:17 am Re: My turtles foot was bitten off ?
From the pictures can not tell if infected or how old it may be from photo's not being very clear. See the no claws though. Can you get some pic's close up ? Sound more like a birth defect from your description . You could care for him and make sure he has a very good home he may need special care especially when eating they do tear there food up with the claws. Does he swim good ? Is he eating ? He may also need to be separated for that special care but I have seen at the Nature Center turtles with special need's have a happy life. They are just like a child with needs , if you can give him a chance to be happy and have a full life that would be great. You will have those frustrating day's and it will be hard but very much worth it . Most people always want more turtles especially when young and cute but find out down the road the must be separated like two males and have more cost. And if it's a female (12") she will need an adult home 120 gallons one day. A turtle does not need a room mate , they are very happy on there own.
Most good LPS have at least a 14 day return on live animals or you could take it back for there vet to look at and treat if necessary so you don't have any out of pocket expense. If going back as a refund chances are that turtle will have an short life , no one will buy it due to the problem and LPS don't want problems around. There are so many turtle mills around and yes a lot of birth defects make it to the market. You on the other hand can give a turtle with special needs a good home and a chance for a happy life , that's your call. Thanks for caring by posting. Turtle hide problems well , even to a Herp Vet , so be ready to observe very well in the future. One thing is any pet should be quarantined even plants for the tank when new for safety , so not to infect it's regular home or others. Other than the claws it look's good. Keep us posted on what happens.
P.S. Being no claws on front or back // turtles use there claws to climb up on things like basking area. You may want to have a ramp on basking area that's very simple and have a shallow ramp so it can get on easy. Modify it for it's handicap.
Last edited by
litefoot on Sun Jul 30, 2017 2:26 pm, edited 3 times in total.