Urgent Care :: Glass Thermometer

[goatfarmer123]

This is not so much a question as a warning:
I had a glass thermometer floating around in Leah's tank, up until tonight when I saw shards on the floor of the tank. She had bitten through the glass bottom- I knew she liked to chew on things but I still didn't see danger in that thermometer. The mercury bulb was still in tact, but there are pieces of glass I couldn't find. Her mouth looks ok and she ate when I fed her- but I'm taking her for x-rays first thing tomorrow.
This is just as bad a gravel, if not worse. PLEASE REMOVE ANY GLASS THERMOMETERS.

[TheComputerGremlin]

A serious warning that any turtle owner should take heed of. I fortunately discontinued use of mine long ago. Good thing you are taking her to the vet just in case, I hope everything is well!

[SpotsMama]

Agreed. I switched out my glass thermometer for a digital some time ago. I quickly learned i can't leave a digital in the tank with Spot either, so I just use it to test the temperature from time to time then take it out. Some people on here have been using thermometer guns (where you can get a reading just by pointing it at what you want to measure without touching a surface) and like them a lot.

[forlogos]

yeesh, thanks for the warning!! Better change mine out before it's too late. I've seen my turtle bite the glass thermometer several times, but I never thought it might actually break

[goatfarmer123]

Good news- Leah doesn't seem to have actually eaten any of the glass, her x-rays showed nothing abnormal, she's eating just fine too! I feel like we dodged quite the bullet there. That thermometer gun sounds pretty awesome, I'll have to check into that! I didn't think it would break either, but man.... I suppose I didn't think she had that much jaw power-- though she's gotten blood out of a stray finger before... Who'd have thought- I can leave carrots in there for 3 days and she won't eat them but a glass thermometer, sure! MMM, mercury! Can't say much for turtle logic/reasoning.