Urgent Care

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:50 pm **EMERGENCY!!!!!!!!!**

My dog bit my turtle Olivia and now she has a hole in her shell with what seems to be her intestines or bowels ozzing out. I live in the country and the vet is closed!!!!!! Please advise. I want her in less pain as possible... [/b]

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:10 pm

Thats not possible. Im very very sorry to say that your turtle will pass. Put a band-aid over it shell. What was your doing doing around your turtle? I'm sorry to hear this.

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:16 pm

I have a mini dashund puppy and she jumped on the table knocked the tank over while I was in the shower. I have two turtles, the other one survived. I am desvastated that this happened....

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:21 pm

Where exactly was she bitten? How big is the hole? Is a picture possible?

You need to have her seen by a vet ASAP. Is there an emergency clinic anywhere in the area? I'd call the vet's office and see if there's a recorded message with info on what to do/where to take her in an emergency. Leave a message and explain what's happened and ask them to call you ASAP.

Is the turtle conscious? Once the shell has been breached, it's very easy for the wound to become infected and turn to septicemia. You need to minimize stress on your turtle---keep her warm and in a dark, quiet area.

As for the wound, how deep is it and are you sure her intestines are coming out of her?

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:42 pm

I hope this works:

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:45 pm

She is still conscious and can move her upper body...her eyes are very swollen as you can see. I called the vet and there arent any additional phone #s or an emergency # for that matter.....I left a message anyway.

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:51 pm

Oh dear...I'd hesitate to touch that exposed area. I wouldn't let it dry out, though. Do you have any sterile gauze? If you do, I'd moisten it and gently lay it over the area. Put the turtle in a dark, warm area.

Try to get in touch with the vet first thing tomorrow. Good luck.

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:30 pm

The poor thing.
If she can't move her lower body, I'd suspect euthanasia will be the vet's only course of action tomorrow.
In the meantime, keep her as warm and as comfortable as can be. I agree with marisa, try and keep the wound moist.

And make sure you secure your tank so that it cannot be reached by your dogs for the safety of your other RES. How large is the tank that he could knock it over? If it's that small it definitely needs upgrading.

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:48 pm

Oh my gosh, that poor little turtle! You have my sympathy! Hopefully you will be able to make the turtle comfortable for now.

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:32 pm

If he is still alive then I suspect he will make it. I thought the wound would be much worse. I though it was gone. There hope. Keep the wound moist. I'd spray the turtle with water every now and then. KEEP IT OUT OF WATER!

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:04 pm

Okay, since you haven't posted recently, what happened? Did you get the turtle to the vet? I agree, the photo isn't nearly as bad as I'd imagined, but the turtle would need immediate vet care. It would be like when a vet has to cut open a turtle's shell for surgery. The turtle can often come back, but only with a lot of care. Please update what happened next ...

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:30 am

Oh, I have had turtles with shell damage far far worse than that. I would think that if Olivia makes it through the first few days, she should still be able to live a long and happy life.
http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/ ... %20Shells/

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:00 pm

What happened to the turtle?

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:38 pm

The swollen eyes are probably infection setting in. What ever you do don't let the intestines dry. Use some sterile water and get it to a herp vet asap.
Sorry about your turtle, its future looks a little gloomy. All you can do is keep him as clean as possible and the wound wet.

Urgent Care :: EMERGENCY!!!!!!!!!

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