General Care Discussion :: Big Turtle Biting smaller turtles shells

[KalinaBallerina]

I'm sorry that the vet is a fair distance away, but those are substantial injuries - I believe it is in your turtles' best interests to get them to a professional as soon as possible. Have you looked at the suggestions in the sticky in the urgent care board? You may be able to try those tips to help alleviate symptoms/minimize trauma in the meantime, but they really do need to be seen by a herpetologist, and the sooner the better.

[carmat]

thanks for all the help. I will keep you posted on what happens

[pumpkinsherbet]

i understand the vet is far away, but would you rather spend two hours on the road or two minutes digging a hole?

the turtle in the second picture looks like it's already got a bit of septicemia. take them to a vet like yesterday, please.

[industrial_girl_2000]

again, from a January post, the closest turt vet is within a two hour drive from my house. Not sure I am ready for a road trip with 3 little ones.

Only 2 hours? Heck, that's nothing. I have taken turtles on 12 hour trips before (!). They can be out of the water for up to 8 hours at a time so a 2 hour drive to vet & back is no big deal...! What is that, like maybe 5-6 hours tops? You can do this. Honestly!

Take a box, line it with a soft towel, put them in it, and drive to your vet asap!

[DavidY]

Well, not everyone can be as dedicated to their turtles, unfortunately. Your devotion to Sheba (as well as so many others on this forum with their babies) is a beautiful thing. However there are many others who, even though they love their turtles and want to provide the best care possible for them, are just not able to do as much as they would like to.

Carmat did say she also has 3 little boys to take of. My wife and I raised two boys and I know how much of a handful little children can be, especially on long car rides. We rarely ever went anywhere longer than an hour's drive and even then, only if it was absolutely necessary.

Carmat, I understand your situation and I don't blame you. Perhaps you could call the vet, explain what happened and that you cannot drive all the way there. Hopefully he/she will be able to do something for you like tell you what you can use to treat the turtle yourself, or recommend somebody closer by that may not be listed.

I hope your turtles get better.

[marisa]

If at all possible, do have them seen by a herp vet. At the very least, as was suggested, call the vet and explain the situation. In the meantime, I'd wash the areas with clean water, put some betadine on them to disinfect them and let them dry. You can put some Neosporin on them as well. I'd keep them out of the water to promote healing, letting them get hydrated periodically, such as when you feed them. Good luck. But do at least talk to your herp vet.

[steve]

This post is written for injuries minor compared to those pics, but here goes:

What to do in case of a MINOR shell break- FIRST AID

[Hoooneylynn]

It doesnt matter if its two different turtles or that you live 2 hours away .they are a responsibility. get them to a vet, they are suffering and probably will die. I would drive 100 hours to get to a vet if I had to. But thats just me. Dont get mad at me. Im mad when people come on here for advice, dont take it, and think that driving 2 hours isnt worth helping a poor suffering turt that is dying. Good luck!