General Care Discussion :: Shell Repairs using Fiberglass Patches and 5 Minute Epoxy

[TurtleboyPR]

Hi Everyone!
Can I get some feedback from you all about these repairs? The fractured shell of my adopted turtle Guita was repaired by a local veterinarian here in Puerto Rico. I wonder if the repairs made to a considerably dangerous and life threatening shell fracture caused by the wheels of a car are indeed the kind of repars that can be made.
Also if anyone knows: What's the downside of such a fracture. It was an L shaped fracture on her right shoulder that exposed internal organs such as lungs and pleura. Even though these organs were visibly unharmed, there's a 1 inch by 1 inch opening that remained open because the bone was not recovered from the accident site. The opening was covered by the patch. She can slide ok and limb function is ok though. I also wonder about watertight integrity and bacteria or other microorganisms getting inside and causeing some nasty troubles....All Comments Welcome!!!
Thank you!!!
Ricardo, from Puerto Rico

[Caphits]

I really dont know how good that is gonna be for shell health, but it has to be better than exposed organs

I would just be worried about water getting underneath, and then bacteria being able to thrive.

[TurtleboyPR]

Thanks Cap!!!
Shell health is a concern under the glue/epoxy and infection inside the shell as well...
Have you seen repairs like these before?

[Azfar]

I also same like what Caphits said, worried about water getting underneath and bacteria or infection that may hit to the injury. Do the turtle able to walk?

[TurtleboyPR]

Thank you Azfar!!!

Yes! Guita does walk fine....and swims ok too....She's very active and eats well.....actually...she does not eat anything else but raw meat....I've been reading here about food and nutrition....and will try to get her to better her meals....

You can watch her on two videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXo_9v1GLr0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzs_AwbFoZ0

[BullDog]

Poor gal! I've seen repairs like that before. Did the vet give you any instructions regarding water? I think he would be able to best answer your questions.

All the best of luck with her!

[TurtleboyPR]

Thank you Bull!
Indeed, he mentioned that watertight integrity of the shell had been severely compromised with the trauma. Nevertheless, he felt that the repair was successful and some water activity besides feeding should be encouraged but always with a critical eye upon any change in behavior, attitude, color, etcetera...

ThAnk you.
Ricardo.

[Azfar]

How long your Guita will be 'wearing' those patches? Forever her life or in some period of time need to change the new patches? This is my first time seeing turtle treat like dat.. just curious and eager to know Guita so lucky to have you!

[TurtleboyPR]

Thank you Azfar!
Well, i guess that concern could be answered in time, as Guita is expected to keep growing if her health is maintained. We also will learn from her Vet about her current health status on her next visit, sometime next week. Regarding the opening that undoubtedly will remain there forever, my best guess would be that some kind of replacement would have to be thought about, due to the fact that epoxy and fiberglass patches not necessarily will "grow" with Guita altogether...
Suggestions are always welcomed...

[BullDog]

I found a pretty good article on shell repair. Maybe this can help answer some of your questions:
http://www.anapsid.org/shellrepair.html

[TurtleboyPR]

Thanks Again BullDog!

Will take a look at it right now!!

Ricardo.

[marisa]

Why don't you ask your questions to the vet that did the repair? The vet would be able to explain what's necessary and why.

I wouldn't let the turtle crawl around on dirt and other unsanitary surfaces. I'd keep whatever area the turtle was in or on extremely clean.

[TurtleboyPR]

Thank you Marisa!

So far, I've gotten very good answers from a Forum that is open for questions, including your answer.
But also, so far, I have not done anything that Guita's Vet hasn't allowed me to do with her. As a matter of fact, I have every single instruction written down, and those have been followed step by step. Also, every single suggestion received here, has been consulted before set into action with Guita's Vet (Who by the way, took a stride on the website and loved it).

So I say, If you could've had the chance to see her injury, I'm quite sure you would've thought as I did when I picked her up from the road:

"OMG...This is not good....not good..."

So...I'm an EMT-Paramedic, Class of 1988 - UPR - Medical Sciences Campus, that currently works as an Eye Bank Association of America's (EBAA) Certified Eye Bank Technician. I do perform my duties over a Sterile Field on donor's eyes. These Corneas go out to Live Patients with severe Eye Conditions. At the Lab, I make tissue transfers under Sterile Conditions and so on. With this I want to stress out the fact that I undoubtedly could know a thing or two about the word "Unsanitary", and I thank you for including this aspect into your answer.

Nevertheless, I do respect your commitment to this type of animal friends and possibly many other species, as I learn with every post and answer, that there are many different ways of dealing with Turtles. That's why I joined this wonderful website and community forum.

Therefore, I imagine you did follow the thread up to here. Mr. BullDog did hint me to a webpage he found about these kind of repairs: http://www.anapsid.org/shellrepair.html

I had never ever seen an injury like this particular one on a Turtle, and after reviewing the page Mr. BullDog directed me to, I believe Guita's Vet made a tremendous effort to save this turtle and so far, everything is going according to plan. I hope it stays that way for the sake of the little fella, but you know what is best about all this Marisa?

My "High level of ignorance" regarding Turtles like my signature says....wil be erradicated by doing just that.....asking questions....here and there.....Guita's Vet included.

So I thank you.....and I thank every forum member that shares their info with me, as I see they all do with others.....That's what got me here in the first place.....

P.D. - That book by Antoine is a great book....I read it in primary school and to this day, I absolutely love it...

With respect,

Ricardo.

[theartbook35]

My best advice to you, if you are concerned about shell health, is to provide an extra source of calcium for the time being. Such as cuttle bone, or extra vegetables like leaf lettuce. Staple pellets, the really great ones, usually have calcium as well.

What I'm most curious about is, after the bone aspect of the shell heals, what happens to the scutes? Do they shed away and new ones come in, and, can turtles get scars?

I think the repair looks pretty tight, but maybe, just for the heck of it, the turtle should be dry docked for a while, until some improvements are seen. I would provide a water dish, that the turtle can't climb into, or tip over, just strictly for drinking. It'll keep it from getting dehydrated. I'd keep a close eye to make sure your baby doesn't get wet.

[TurtleboyPR]

Thank you Artbook!

Indeed she was drydocked for about 3 1/2 weeks before the Vet cleared her for short "assisted" trips to the water...Up to now....those little "baths" take place every 2 to 3 days, for about 10 to 15 minutes....
Of course....all this combined with the not wanting to eat part of the deal....
but I think she's coming to terms with her not voluntary captivity/treatment/rehab kinda deal.....
About the scutes, bone and scars....well....as I remember the break...it involved both plate and cartilage (or the structure that binds the plates....i forget the name). So on the long run, I imagine there will be some signs to indicate that indeed the lesion did ocurr. One question I do keep with me is...Will she ever see the gross of this repair off her at some point in the future.....Vet says...."We'll see....can't answer that right now...." Anybody knows a different answer and would like to share?

Ricardo.