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So my 13 year old turtle had his first vet visit this week. I noticed that a piece of his shell had either been injured by one of his basking rocks or was the beginning of shell rot. I didn't want to take any chances since you could see the pinkish part of the shell and brought him to the vet. His conclusion was the same as mine: either he banged his shell against a rock or he had shell rot. He gave me a series of antibiotic injections that I have to administer for two weeks. He said in either case, he needs antibiotics. If it's shell rot, it will kill the infection. If it's an injury, it will prevent the area from becoming infected. Makes sense.

Anyway, when the vet gave my turtle his shot, BOY WAS HE UNHAPPY. My turtle has never hissed or bitten me...ever. But when the vet grabbed his arm...he wanted to bite those fingers off!! He gave me some sticks to take home for my turtle to bite while I give the injections. But...I'm just not sure I'm capable of doing it! Any tips? Advice? Anyone ever have to give their turtle shots at home? Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really have no idea how I'm going to do this.

Can you post pictures of the pinkish part? It's just that I would have a different approach depending on shell rot or an injury.

This link has pictures of a minor shell injury: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=29942
Pictures of shell rot here: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm

I haven't given injections before, though a few members have. Did the vet offer an oral version of the antibiotic?

My boyfriend and I had to double team Gimli when we had to give him a series of injections. I think it was 10 days we had to do it. You inject under the front leg (always the top half to inject, never the back), rotating from right to left every night. My boyfriend would hold him, pushing his back legs into his shell a bit so the front half couldn't retreat back into his shell, and then putting a towel infront of his face so he could bite on that. (and boy, did he bite). I would then pull his front leg out and inject him into his arm pit, not too far, just enough to get the meds into him.

I hope to never have to do this again, but it was well worth it in the end. Gimli was a real trooper.

Hey guys! I didn't get a picture of the shell rot and didn't see your responses until now! The vet only offered the injections, so we did what we had to do! He is finished with two weeks of antibiotics. We did the similar tag team effort. My father held his arm, my mother put a box in front of his face, and I put the shot behind his arm, rotating every injection. He didn't really bite too much like he did at the vet's office. Maybe because he is familiar with us...not sure. But he would just open his mouth real wide and try to scratch. Anyway, can't believe we did it!! His shell seems like it isn't getting any worse so I'm not concerned. I'm convinced he just banged it up. I have a follow up visit with the vet tomorrow. Boy, I'm officially broke, but it was worth the 200 bucks to make sure that his shell heals nicely.

That's great news! Hopefully he's quickly healing and this will soon be over.