2018 Tort First Aid Kit...

south12_9

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Depending on what works best for your household, many of the items and supplies in a first aid kit for humans could pull double duty. However, everyone needs to know what you can and can't administer to a turtle or tortoise... Or to cats, dogs, and any other non-human members of your household. For example, Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be deadly, at least to cats and reptiles.
This is why I made this... I really don't see anything in the old ones.. like tea tree oil did anyone know it's a grate natural antiseptic... I don't wanna use something that will be harmful.... New things come out all the time & veteran seasoned tort keepers have tried everything... I just kinda want to know what works best & what NOT to USE...
 

jsheffield

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I made my own version of a tortoise fak for Darwin:

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Small toolkit from home depot

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Meds and glue and tape

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Cotton balls and a huge syringe

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Tiny led lamp

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Soap, betadine, vinegar, and coconut oil melted into a bit of olive oil

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Small tub for keeping the patient in one place

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Antibacterial wipes for me after cleanup

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Babyfood of appropriate composition

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Nitrile gloves

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Towels and swabs

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Tweezers, Clippers, and a multi-tool




Better to have it and not need it ....

Jamie
 

Kapidolo Farms

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Daily rinse contact lens solution for sensitive eyes. Clear the eyes and upper respiratory track. I've used this more than everything else combined.

If you're going to worm or medicate get some gavage tubes, and a tortoise mouth opener (size appropriate), latex or nitril gloves are handy too. Gavage tubes are also handy for assisted (forced) feeding.
 

jsheffield

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Daily rinse contact lens solution for sensitive eyes. Clear the eyes and upper respiratory track. I've used this more than everything else combined.

If you're going to worm or medicate get some gavage tubes, and a tortoise mouth opener (size appropriate), latex or nitril gloves are handy too. Gavage tubes are also handy for assisted (forced) feeding.

Can you tell me more about the contract lens rinse?

For eyes and respiratory tract, or were those separate.

Thanks,

Jamie
 

SarahNelson

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This is a fantastic place to learn about caring for your future torts.

Jamie
I totally agree! I first found the forum a few weeks ago, while doing Google searches on a plethora of tortoise related questions. I've been coming here for answers and advice since then, and finally decided to join yesterday. The people here are absolutely amazing. So passionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. I really would love to find my future tortoises from a breeder that's a part of this awesome community. Thank you for replying and helping me feel like a part of the group! I sincerely look forward to getting to know people here, and educating myself as much as possible through this forum.
 

Madkins007

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My background is mostly a hobbyist (tortoises and first aid) and researcher. I also taught AMerican Red Cross Pet First Aid for several years. Here is a list I published on the old version of the TortoiseLibrary (I don't know why it isn't on the newer version).


First aid kit:
Much of this is already in your family or pet first-aid kit, or should be. See the American Red Cross Dog (or Cat) First Aid Book or something similar for more ideas. Note: I don't keep or really recommend a special 'pet' kit. I just add key items to my family kit.
  • Disposable gloves (to minimize chances of disease and infections)
  • Scissors with small, strong, sharp blades
  • Scalpel blades and handle (A clean, new #11 X-acto blade works)
  • Pet toe nail clippers or diagonal cutting pliers
  • Tweezers with good, sharp points
  • Tongue depressors, clean Popsicle sticks, wooden skewers or chopsticks (for splints or to hold open the mouth)
  • Magnifying glass
  • Penlight
  • Chemical heat packs, hand warmers, etc.
  • Sterile gauze squares, 2x2” and 3x3”
  • Roller gauze or self-cohesive tape (Vet Wrap), 2"
  • Paper first aid tape, 1” wide (used as a 'first layer' to protect the scales and scutes)
  • Electrical tape or waterproof first-aid tape (stronger tapes to use on top of paper tape)
  • Alcohol or alcohol wipes
  • Wound disinfectant such as Providone-Iodine Scrub (Betadine)
  • Antibiotic ointment (silver sulfadiazine ointment or 2% mupirocin ointment are much better than 'triple antibiotic' or other drug store ointments)
  • Petroleum jelly or Bag Balm (to ‘seal’ injuries)
  • Styptic powder or sticks, Kwik Stop, or cornstarch (to stop slow bleeds)
  • Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment for eyes, e.g., Terramycin
  • Cotton-tipped swabs or small sponges
  • Eye wash solution or sterile water in a squirt bottle (to rinse eyes or wounds)
A few other thoughts:
- Having a list is fine, but you kinda gotta know how to do some stuff, like holding your tort's head out and mouth open, or how to actually bandage a wound. A basic human first aid class is helpful, then supplement it with a pet-oriented class with hands-on elements.
- Every bit as important as a kit is having the stuff on hand to rig up a 'hospital cage' where things are clean, calm, warm, and stress-free.

THIS link takes you to the kit list with some other skills on the page- https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/health-and-medical

THIS link takes you to a nursing care/shock treatment page- https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/health-and-medical/basic-nursing-care
 

tigerscott79

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Jun 10, 2021
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Elkhart
Depending on what works best for your household, many of the items and supplies in a first aid kit for humans could pull double duty. However, everyone needs to know what you can and can't administer to a turtle or tortoise... Or to cats, dogs, and any other non-human members of your household. For example, Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be deadly, at least to cats and reptiles.
Ik with bearded dragons vets say never use neosporin with pain relief the meds in the pain relief is more deadly then helpful. Only to use the normal neosporin. Guessing with other reptiles as sulcstas and torts this lrolly holds true too?
 

TaylorTortoise

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Abington
I just started putting a kit together. Will keep some q-tips, nail clippers (for nail and beak trims), eye ointment, Panacur dewormer, a bottle of water, silver solution antimicrobial gel, Vetericyn wound and skin care, and Betadine. For starters :)
How do you know if your tortoise needs tobe dewormed? With the Panacur medicine
 
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