Urgent Care :: please help

[dianimal]

i went to go check up on dizzy this morning and part of the skin on his arm was missing i dont know what happend and i dont know what to do

[octpusgirl8]

Is it bleeding? Is there another turtle in the tank? How bad is it? Take him out of the water, clean it off and put neosporin on it. Leave him out of the water a little to let it soak in good. You might need to take him to a vet. Can you post a picture?

[dianimal]

this is the best picture i can get of it. i just noticed that its on both arms. it's not bleeding. he's the only turtle i have

[megcornell]

Is there anything in the tank he could have cut them on?

I don't see how his shell could be catching the skin at that angle.

Keep the wounds clean, I can't really tell from that picture, but a visit to the vets might not be a bad idea.

[dianimal]

There isn't really anything in the tank that's that sharp. This cave is as sharp as it gets. There's that cave. his dock, heater, filter, and some rocks that are really not sharp. I'm afraid to put him back in his tank. We've called a good number of clinics but they all are hanging up on us

[Kahhlan]

I may have no idea what I am talking about but, in this second pic it looks like he could be scratching them up on that plant (if its plastic). He could be swimming with that plant near his legs like that and the plant scratching him.

I have seen alot of the plastic plants that actully have sharp edges on them.

[TheComputerGremlin]

dianimal - How about you remove everything from the tank except his basking area and allow him to heal for the next couple days. After everything is out of the tank, you can closely examine everything for sharp edges.

It almost resembles a rug burn, maybe he got caught in the plant and rubbed himself trying to free himself. You'll probably never know what happened.

If it's not bleeding and he keeps his personality and continues eating and acting normal and healing, he should start to look better in a few days.

[marisa]

It looks like something has rubbed those areas raw...Is there anything he likes to hang off of? Does he have to struggle to get on the basking area? Could he somehow have gotten caught in the cave?

Keep those areas clean. Are they healing over? If not, you might want to put a little (very) diluted Betadine on them, let it dry and then put some antibiotic ointment on them. It might be good to keep him out of the tank at night (put him in something with a soft cloth to burrow under) for a few nights when you do this. Keep the tank water really clean when he's in it.

[imderanged]

The vets office HUNG UP ON YOU???

[stars sc]

why are your vets so rude try your local nature center if not try ours their great about getting back to u. i know its long distant but its worth it if not try the haw creek animal hospital i asheville north carolina . they are always relly helpful.

[SpotsMama]

I think treating the areas with a little diluted antiseptic then an antibiotic salve followed by dry docking overnight sounds good.

Certain vitamin deficiencies (and vitamin overdoses) or skin infections can result in raw skin or sores and skin sloughing or excessive skin shedding. If something like this is going on, you'll need the assistance of a good herp vet.

Good luck to you both. Please keep us posted as to how it's going.

[dianimal]

Yes, either some of the vets didn't answer or they hung up. I'm going to take everyone's advice Dizzy is staying in his 10 gallon during the day. I've removed most of the stuff. I left his dock, filter, heater, and bubble wall. The heater and filter are blocked off by a screen. His behavior hasn't really changed. He has his usual appetite although he's a bit slower at tearing up his food. He basks as usual as well. I bought some Betadine and Neosporin. I've started applying them on his wounds when night comes. I'm keeping him in a 2.5 with a soft cloth and small water bowl. The only thing that's changed about him is that he's no longer trying to escape the 2.5 when I put him in there. His wounds look like they're getting better. I'll keep everyone posted. And thanks

[dianimal]

[stars sc]

they do look a little better. hes so cute!

[marisa]

If you're not already doing so, it would be good to dilute that Betadine. It's too strong to be used as is.