Urgent Care :: dog bit turtle!

[musicalturtles]

we usually keep the cover closed at night, but the one day it slipped our minds, our neighbor's new dog came in through our open front door to our backyard and started messing with tur tull! tur got bit in the neck. lightly. but it made a gash in his neck, he doesnt seem to mind it though (although im sure he does) and for now hes in his old tank ... but what should i do?! and does anyone know what might happen?

[windowskiller987]

check out my post when my RES was bit my my dog.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... tle+bitten

[megcornell]

I don't think you should follow that protocol in the link provided.
Can you post pictures of the wound? Is it a deep tooth mark (puncture wound) or more superficial? Either way, you should see a vet to get that wound cleaned out and to get some decent antibiotics to fight the chance of infection-- which is very high. The vet may suggest dry docking to give the wound a chance to heal without much interference or aggravation from the water.
You definitely need to work extra hard to keep very, very clean water. I'd say infection would be the biggest worry.
Post pics, and let us know how it goes with the vet!

[steve]

I highly agree with megcornell. If your turtle wasn't cleaned thoroughly after the attack, then I would get ready to change the water and clean out the tank again. I would also swab the area with diluted betadine and let it dry for a couple of hours before putting your turtle back into the tank.

Make sure you see a qualified herp vet:

www.tortoise.org/general/vetlist.html (for California)
www.arav.org/USMembers.htm (in the U.S.)

And make sure you give your neighbor the bill.

[megcornell]

I didn't notice it was your neighbor's dog... they are definitely responsible for the vet bills.

[musicalturtles]

sry for not posting, but thanks! i put him alone in one of my old tanks, and hes better now.
actually, i think hes a she. so anyway, shes completely well now, thanks so much!

[megcornell]

Good to hear!

[Kallistos]

How much were the vet bills? Did you make your neighbors pay for them?

[industrial_girl_2000]

Make sure to keep the water in the tank very clean. As in, I would do a lot of partial water changes to make sure that bacteria doesn't build up in the tank. When a turtle has an open wound like that, it can easily become infected. Good luck & keep us posted.