General Care Discussion :: injured turtle

[Ferd]

ok. aso my friend Justin went outside to his back yard and saw his dog tossin somthin around. he went over and found a box turtle. It has a cople of chip spots and a few gashes. one seems bad on his left front leg. He knew taht i was a turtle person and asked me what to do:should he hold on o it or let it go. I said i didnt know. He has it on the backprch pinned off from his dog and gives it lettuce and a bowl of water. since i dont know muchabout box turtles could you tell me what to feed it? also, is it moral to hold on to it untill it heal up or should he let it go? thanks for your advice! it always helpS!

[missibsu]

Find a local herp rescue, or a herp vet that may see the animal. Because it isn't a pet, a vet may treat the turt without cost to you and rehabilitate it. A local rescue may do the same. You'll probably have to make some calls and see what you can find out. Check out www.austinsturtlepage.com for a basic care sheet for the turtle and keep it safe until you can have it checked out.

If you think the injuries are not life threatening, you can just turn it loose to where it was found. In a safer location.

[marisa]

Don't let it go if it's injured---the leg could get infected and you don't know what other injuries it could have. Since it's wild, find a clinic that takes in and treats wildlife (call herp vets or look up the herpetelogical society in your area). They won't charge you (but you will relinquish the turtle) and will give it to a wildlife rehabber to care for the turtle until it can be released.

[Ferd]

thx on that advice but his parents dont care about it. they say its just a cute little hobby for him and say the best think to do is just let him go and let him live on luck or die. soo sad. from what he told me, the one gash looks deep. since his parents wont help out, what can he do?

[missibsu]

Have him give the turtle to you...since his parents don't care, they shouldn't mind if it's gone. I would think the parents would mind more if it was staying, because that means more responsibility, time, and money. By giving him away to you, they don't have to worry about that and you can see that he gets the treatment he needs.

[Ferd]

il see what i can do. i too am tight in room since i can only keep turtles in my room . but my parents do love my little turdles. he says that he can met me after school to pick her or him up. ill try to kep you posted. also... wouldnt it be bad on the terapin to move him such a great distance? justin's house is like 15 miles from the school and i live like 10 in the opposise direction.

[marisa]

Take the turtle and find a clinic that treats wildlife. Take a look at: http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/firstaid.html

[Ferd]

hes been vague on the details, but said he wrapped up the leg with a bit of sports bandage after cleaning the wound. when he went home today , he called ans said that the water bowl was dry but for a few spots and the greens were gone. when he dressed the wound, it seemed to be better and was slightly smaller. He says he will try to get his parents to do somthin about it.

[z-chic]

he can scrub the wound with betadine or a diluted peroxide.... and put some neosporin or other antibiotic ointment on it. Keeping it clean is the most important thing. Box turtles need protien. He can feed it greens/fruit, but he also can give it canned cat food, or dry cat food soaked in water, earthworms, grubs etc. They also like to soak in a bowl of water..something like a pie pan, or a tray like you would put under a planter.

[Ferd]

I gave Justin the list and today he let it go. he said that the wound had heeled up completely. his parents finally broke down and took it to a vet. Justin sends his kudos to all who helped out!

[marisa]

Well, that was a surprising about-face! (And good to hear.)

[Ferd]

In a good way though.