General Care Discussion :: Wounded limb :(

[larqw]

Toutolina and Tortuga were getting along so well.
Today Toutolina got so hungry that she grabbed Tortuga (the little baby turtle) off the basking rock and bit her. Now, one arm is limp. She can't swim well and can't even climb on the rock anymore. Of course, I removed her from the tank, but it's just so sad. I put some antibiotic cream on it. Was that alright? Is there anything else I can do? I am so sad and upset...I feel like crying!!

[marisa]

I'm going to say it once more, even though I know you don't want to hear it---turtles of significantly different sizes should not be kept together in the same tank.

Did the bite go through the skin? If so, cleaning it and putting an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin was good to do. Is there any swelling? Now that a little time has passed, can/will Tortuga move the limb?

You really need to keep them separated and give Tortuga his own set up.

[megcornell]

It's fine to put the antibiotic cream on it but you need to realize it may be broken and need veterinary assistance. A turtle packs a powerful bite and a large jaw on a tiny frail limb can be a crushing blow. If Tortuga cannot move or put weight on it she'll need to see a vet.

I second what Marisa said about separating them. Whether it was intentional or not as you can now see big turtles can really hurt little ones.

[larqw]

Yeah I know now...I didn't let them sleep together, just allowed them to share the basking area for some time. The bite didn't go through the skin and it isn't swollen. Tortuga just has it folded

[marisa]

And how is the leg now? Is he using it?

[larqw]

The legs can move, but she doesn't put pressure on them or use them

[megcornell]

Have you looked into a vet? How are things going?

[industrial_girl_2000]

The legs can move, but she doesn't put pressure on them or use them

She's probably got a sprained limb. The only reason I suggest this is because I have seen it with my turtles many years ago when I had 2 in the same tank (Sheba & Nelson). Touch the arm of your turtle, and feel if it is broken (see if it will move in the direction that it is supposed to). If it is swollen or if you feel anything unusual, take the turtle to the vet.

One thing I will tell you about turtles & sprained limbs: if it is broken or sprained, the vet will not be able to put a cast on it anyway. A vet told me many yrs ago when it happened to one of my turtles that keeping the turtle in the bouyancy of the water would help (don't let them use the arm for about 2 weeks). Swimming is fine, climbing or walking on land is not. This will help alleviate the stress on the joints. If they don't bask for a couple of weeks, it won't hurt them. But you have to give the joint a chance to heal. Even after the 2 week period, they may still use the limb very gingerly, but they will have to build up strength in it so it should be ok to use at that point.

[steve]

Based on the size difference in the avatar, the damage could be fairly severe.

[larqw]

Tortuga is doing much better now!!! The hands aren't completely healed but she swims and climbs up on her basking rock. She's still eating and pooping . Thanks for all the help!

[eugenetimpog]

That is good news. I hope she fully recover soon.

[emma]

Thats great to hear.

[larqw]

Thank you