Posted: Sun May 05, 2019 9:56 am Re: My smaller turtle has a nasty cut
I would still see a herp vet from your description (see bone) ! Being you are just starting in this hobby as by your first post in April this year. Must prevent infection so it has time to heal properly ! I would "dry dock" for that. You can look on this forum under search box or google many ways to do it. This is my way in my almost 6 decades in hobby.
Dry Docking
For a bit clean well with sterile water and or a surgical wash as povidone-iodine (OTC) or betadine . Once clean and dry you can use a triple ointment (OTC) or silver sulfadiazine much better but RX in the US. Lightly bandage for slight bleeding if needed. Prepare a container , plastic bucket , even a cardboard box. Make sure it’s tall enough to prevent escape. Something with dark sides makes a turtle feel safer. Also a cloth towel in the bottom will help them feel secure. Helps keep them dry and catch’s any waste.
Place a heat source above to keep turtle warm , no UVB is needed just warmth . A bulb that does both is ok. Doing this can be done over night when they normally sleep is better , is less stressful. Continue this for 7-10 days for healing time. Watch for infection , will slow down healing time !
Dry docking at night is much more quiet and most turtles will sleep. A good reptile heating pad helps at night under the container “not” in it , if needed to maintain warmth. Or a ceramic heater works well at night since they produce no light.
IMPORTANT : Prevent dehydration, allow it to take a short swims in fresh treated water in a separate container. I do it at the half way point or as needed to prevent dehydration. This allows turtle to drink and re-hydrate. Also can feed at this time. Hydration a must ! Change wet bandage after if still needed for any bleeding. Continue dry docking along with the ointment. Note : do "not" wash off or pull off any scabs forming , that's were the new skin cells will be produced during healing. See a herp vet for extremely severe cases and they may recommend 24 hrs a day to dry docking BUT hydration "several times" a day will be needed !!! Hard for most with having to go to work. Herp vet may want to keep him awhile until you can take over
Make any adjustments on habitat as need if was from a cut .
Do this for 7-10 days , until significant recovery signs. Observe well but as I stated for a beginner a visit to the vet , herp vet or at least one that treats turtles !
Please rethink 5 different sex and size turtles in a 125 gallon as in your April post ! Five turtles would need 500 gallon or larger to be peaceful over time. Heard too many horror story's in my time and on this forum to . Be like 5 people living in a small one bedroom , thing will happen. Turtles are just too dam territorial ! Male's together is a "no" once mature / male female does not work either and only some same size female's together may work if the same personalities . For a short time may work but over time "will not" , separation a must ! Or you will be back under Urgent Care again or worst !