Urgent Care :: HELP!!! My turtle is bitting its own finger

[ren00]

Help I need some advice....one of my turtle keeps bitting its own finger. Is there an infection? It seems like it bite off it's outer layer of skin and it's showing red flesh.

[industrial_girl_2000]

It's possible he could have scraped his hand on something rough in the tank.

I have seen mine bite at their hands in the past, but only because they were shedding skin so the filmy skin was hanging off.

He might also just be bored. They do funny things when they are bored.

I would clean the finger thoroughly and let it dry out (let him run around your bathroom for an hour so he is out of the water long enough to dry out & form a scab). Do a complete water change in the tank in the meantime to help prevent infection/bacteria build up in the tank. If he still bites his finger a few days from now, you can always take him to the vet. The most important thing in the meantime will be to keep the affected area clean & make sure his tank water is kept extra-clean.

[kneenuh]

great answer! You may also want to clean the area with some chlorhexidine, and if it's been more then a few days put some neosporin on it (without pain relief).

And if in a few days it looks worse, take your baby to the Doctor!