Urgent Care :: DENTED SHELL HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BUCKWELL_AND_(RES)Squirt]

My turtle fell and he happened to hit his shell on a nice corner of one fo the leg for my room fan. He was falling had but i kinda slowed fall butnow he has a lil dent in shell. Is he going to die, he been really active since the dent and hasnt change behaviour. The Dent/Crack didnt go right threw i think (like i believe it not cracked just dented. I added melefix right away cause it says its for sores and cuts. I use turtle calcium blocks. He eats vegtables, live fish, Gammarus Tutle Pellets, Nutrafin Turtle snack. Hes got good basking, and a turtle dock, Extremely active. Will he live???? Will He be OK???? His tank is also very clean, has very good fileration. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM so worried!!!! He my best friend!!!!! I feel so bad. Also is there a vet taht can help him in the cambridge/kitchener/waterloo Ontario Canada area??? aslo what does a average vet bill cost for a small reptile??? in CND dollars i perfer. Thanks

[BUCKWELL_AND_(RES)Squirt]

Also i forgot his shells pretty hard, but its now it fells a bit soft where he hit

[missibsu]

Is the dent actually cracked all the way through? Some times you call it a dent and others a crack, and just wasn't sure. Is it bleeding?

The fact that your turtle's behavour is still the same and he's active is good.

I would be sure to keep the water extremely clean, and bump it up a few degrees to help fight infection if it an open wound. I would also stop using the calcium block, they are not usable form of calcium for turtles, despite what the package and stores tell you. Instead of that, go to the bird section and buy some cuttlebone. Peel the hard backing off and break it up. If your turtle has been eating well you probably won't have any trouble getting him to eat it.

As for the vet bill. At the top of this section is a sticky that has vet information. The best way to find out about the cost is to call them. Depending on the nature of the injury, the type of procedures done, and any medications that may be given, the cost will vary. They will be able to give you a better estimate.

[BUCKWELL_AND_(RES)Squirt]

No bleeding, but it is a dent, im pretty sure no crackage!!! but it now soft i ntaht spot!!!!!

[BUCKWELL_AND_(RES)Squirt]

should i keep my calcium blcok as it its a conditioner with calcium, instead of just calcium but also get the cutter bone?????

[missibsu]

I would remove it completely. If you want a water conditioner I would buy it individually. There are liquid drops that you can get, it's what I use. Many different brands that do different things. It depends on the type of water you are using and what it is treated with first.

As for the soft spot. It could be that it's just the natural reaction to that kind of injury. I personally have never experienced that kind of injury so I don't know. I would still take my turt to the vet. He or she will be more qualified to make a diagnosis, and has the ability to take xrays if needed.

[steve]

How big is he? The shell should be hard but is slightly pliable for hatchlings. Just because it feels hard and you do not see any cracks doesn't mean it's not broken. It is probably damaged underneath the shell which would make it just as important for him to get it checked out.

You should find some local help: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12

[marisa]

Can you post a pic of the shell?

[BUCKWELL_AND_(RES)Squirt]

turtles dent is barley noticable, it just happend so late i over reacted, my gf didnt even notice till i show hein detail, and pointwed out the lil markings of a dent. He moving around very activly and pretty good heath. I guess i over reacted. It already started to look better after a few days!!!!!

[missibsu]

Is it still soft? I would still be concerned with any internal injuries that there may be. Since you can't see through the shell it's hard to know what's going on inside.

[steve]

Shell damage does not heal quickly. You still haven't answered some of the questions asked, so I really don't have an idea of the situation.

[marisa]

Does he have a UVB light? Give him plenty of opportunity to bask under one (or take him outside for direct sunlight a few times a week if the weather's warm enough). Make sure there's adequate calcium in his diet (through cuttlebone, a powdered calcium supplement if necessary, and leafy greens like dandelions).

Without a pic, it's difficult to imagine how slight the dent is. If he's small, the damaged area will improve as he sheds the scute (more quickly than with a larger turtle). Glad to hear it's not as bad as you initially thought it was.

[BUCKWELL_AND_(RES)Squirt]

Hes All Good To Report!!!!!!!

[missibsu]

Thanks for the update!