Desperate Condition!

TammyJ

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One of the pet shops here in Jamaica called me. They know I have a bit of experience with turtles (like about 30 years) and that I care about them and would try to help. They asked me to come look at a turtle someone had brought in to them and told them they did not want it any more. I immediately kind of knew what to expect.

So I went to the pet shop this morning and looked. What I saw was not nice, and I will take some pictures so you all can have an idea of the condition it is in. Tomorrow I will post the pictures on here. Its carapace is grossly deformed and looks squashed in (concave!) and it's missing a front paw. I am thinking all kinds of things - MBD, dog, ran over by car etc., but I mostly think this has been happening over a few years as a result of very poor husbandry indeed.

The photos are coming tomorrow, thank you for any help!
 

TammyJ

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OK....I was sick with the flu and am just getting back here....so I have sort of concluded that it is a severe case of MBD. He is at home with me now and I have adopted him permanently for as long as he lives. He is I think about 4-5 years old. a Jamaican slider. He is eating, active, and getting a good dose of direct sunlight every day.

Let me have your comments and thoughts, please!

Oh dear......I cannot upload even one picture??? I get a message "there is a problem uploading the file..." why is this?
 

cdmay

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That is, ....um,... a really messed up turtle!
Taking on such a project is a highly commendable task. Once the immediate health issues are cleared up, there is no reason that you cannot make a nice life for him.
Nice going, I'm impressed with your determination and kind heartedness.
 

Yvonne G

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I've seen worse. He's in good hands now. Just treat him as if there's nothing wrong with him. . . regular feeding, occasional gut loaded crickets, etc. He should be just fine.
 

TammyJ

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Thanks for the encouragement, guys!

I have not yet named him...I thought of "Squeeze"...but this seems unkind! Any ideas?
 

Moozillion

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Thanks for the encouragement, guys!

I have not yet named him...I thought of "Squeeze"...but this seems unkind! Any ideas?
What's his personality like? :) That's often a good clue for names!
 

TammyJ

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Flap jack. Not unkind. I had a toad named cricket. A crippled dog named cricket too. he's in such a good home now. May as well have fun with his name, right?
LOL!!! You are right. Griddle. Squish. Platter. Flatter. This is fun! Frisbee. Haddit. Scrood. Yes, I like these names very much!
 

TammyJ

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He is doing very well so far, eating enthusiastically and very active, getting lots of natural sunlight.
 

TammyJ

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I will keep you all updated on his progress. I rejected all the names so far and am (for now) calling Him Alf. (And NO, it does NOT mean "Alien Life Form"....OK?
 

TammyJ

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I will keep you all updated on his progress. I rejected all the names so far and am (for now) calling Him Alf. (And NO, it does NOT mean "Alien Life Form"....OK?
Tammy, tell them what song you were singing to Alf this morning as you carried him out on the verandah.
".....What's it all about,
Alfie...?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to be kind, and give, or
Are we meant to take more than we give?"
Anyone old enough to remember that movie and that song has my sincere empathy.
 
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