I ran over my tortoise

[ascott]

I don't understand how we can be having this conversation, at this calmness at all...

Is the turtle shell popped at the seams...is the top cracked separate from the bottom, like opening a clam shell? If yes, then my God, have that turtle put down ....if the shell is cracked open, the turtle is in extreme pain, no matter if it pops its head out or not...

I mean, in some countries that eat turtle, they will crack the live turtle open and let it remain for hours like this, letting it remain alive to remain fresher for longer until it dies a long long horrible death....just because a turtle takes a long time to die, does not mean it is not suffering the entire time...

 

[WillTort2]

I don't understand how we can be having this conversation, at this calmness at all...

Is the turtle shell popped at the seams...is the top cracked separate from the bottom, like opening a clam shell? If yes, then my God, have that turtle put down ....if the shell is cracked open, the turtle is in extreme pain, no matter if it pops its head out or not...

I mean, in some countries that eat turtle, they will crack the live turtle open and let it remain for hours like this, letting it remain alive to remain fresher for longer until it dies a long long horrible death....just because a turtle takes a long time to die, does not mean it is not suffering the entire time...

I agree, it's a tough thing to think about. But most of have run into the turtle crossing the road situation, and I have no true idea of when a wounded turtle should be put down. So, in addition to trying to learn more about a common situation, we can offer advice to the original poster.

 

[Gillian M]

Hi. Tell me how's your tort today? And what did the vet say? Anything new? I do hope to hear your tort is now better. Believe me injuries take time to wound so pray for the best and again...wishes for him recover and get well SOON. Good luck.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Wow, I am so sorry. If the whole shell is cracked, then everyone's right, he's in severe pain How is feeling today? I don't understand why your vet didn't humanely eauthinize him, this seems the best option right now so he doesn't suffer. I'm sorry this happened to you and your tort

 

[TortMomma]

Some people may find this harsh but if the poor thing is suffering and you can't find a vet to put it down, why not put it in the freezer (I'm not sure what the most humane way to do it would be) and put it out of it's misery.


Mommy to:
Nevan- 8yr old human
Arden- Pappillon
Ella-Chihuahua
Toby-Tortoise shell cat
Tinka- Tabby cat
Rex- Ball python
Penny- Eastern Box turtle hatchling
Poppy- Russian tortoise

 

[AmRoKo]

Are you able to post a picture of how bad of a shape the tort is in? Only you can determine whether the tort needs to be put down or not.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I have been told that you first put them in the refrigerator so they cool off and go to sleep as freezing of the blood might hurt. So refer first, then freezer. Yep, it's nasty to think about but better than severe pain for an animal who's not going to live anyway...
Sorry this is happening, it's sad...

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

I have been told that you first put them in the refrigerator so they cool off and go to sleep as freezing of the blood might hurt. So refer first, then freezer. Yep, it's nasty to think about but better than severe pain for an animal who's not going to live anyway...
Sorry this is happening, it's sad...

I concur 100% with the pain associated with straight freezing. There is not one thing painless about individual nerve cells freezing and the ice crystals rupturing the cell walls. In that regard, mustard gas was ok because ultimately one died.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I concur 100% with the pain associated with straight freezing. There is not one thing painless about individual nerve cells freezing and the ice crystals rupturing the cell walls. In that regard, mustard gas was ok because ultimately one died.

OK yucky now...

 

[smarch]

I have been told that you first put them in the refrigerator so they cool off and go to sleep as freezing of the blood might hurt. So refer first, then freezer. Yep, it's nasty to think about but better than severe pain for an animal who's not going to live anyway...
Sorry this is happening, it's sad...

So if the situation in a road ever came to that would this be the way to do it? I've been curious since my first time helping a turtle cross the road, but was rather afraid to actually post and ask humane ways to do it. but I mean if I saw a turtle alive but crushed on the road i'd have to help, my heart couldn't not. Its just one of those good tidbits to know I guess.

I hope everything's well with the OP, I know this is rough, how's the little guy doing?

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Tonight I'll find out.

 

[jaizei]

So if the situation in a road ever came to that would this be the way to do it? I've been curious since my first time helping a turtle cross the road, but was rather afraid to actually post and ask humane ways to do it. but I mean if I saw a turtle alive but crushed on the road i'd have to help, my heart couldn't not. Its just one of those good tidbits to know I guess.

I hope everything's well with the OP, I know this is rough, how's the little guy doing?

https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pa...utm_term=issues-animal_welfare-euthanasia-pdf

 

[heathedw]

Keep it clean like you would a cut. If he makes it a few days then get ready for shell repair. It's kinda a judgement call if you think he can make it. My dad fixed the shell of a red eared slider we found on the road when I was a kid. It was bleeding from the cracks and side. We kept it clean and my dad popped everything back and superglued it I think. He used something to help it hold. After a few months it was totally healed and we set it free. Most people said it would die and it didn't. There is always hope. Here is a site I found on shell repair. You can get the stuff from lowes. Good luck.
http://www.anapsid.org/shellrepair.html

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Keep it clean like you would a cut. If he makes it a few days then get ready for shell repair. It's kinda a judgement call if you think he can make it. My dad fixed the shell of a red eared slider we found on the road when I was a kid. It was bleeding from the cracks and side. We kept it clean and my dad popped everything back and superglued it I think. He used something to help it hold. After a few months it was totally healed and we set it free. Most people said it would die and it didn't. There is always hope. Here is a site I found on shell repair. You can get the stuff from lowes. Good luck.
http://www.anapsid.org/shellrepair.html

Heather...today's practice is to not close the shell with glue etc, because there's a good chance you'll close in bacteria and eventually that alone will kill the turtle. Use an elastic bandage to hold the wound closed. To me, if there's any doubt that the turtle is not going to die in the next FEW minutes, he needs to go to an exotics Vet who will make an education decision if the animal can be treated or should be euthanized. I pretty much don't believe in euthanization, but will agree there are extreme cases where it's necessary

 

[kathyth]

I agree with Maggie. He must be treated by an exotic Vet ASAP.

 

[heathedw]

That makes sense it would be easier to clean.

 

[iLikeCrafts]

I ran over my tortoise this morning. I checked and it had a cracked shell, like really bad and I think my tortoise has internal damage, not only the shell. I called the vet and he said 'Lammy' (my tortoise) wont be alive for a long time. I know his lifespan is very short and he might die tonight or tomorrow morning. I'm just asking, are there any hopes of survival? By the way, his species is the Asian Box turtle.

------------------------
Update: Hi everyone, I checked on him today and found out he died. I was thinking of bringing him to a hospital to get his shell fixed but I didn't have enough time before he died.
Note: Please check under your vehicles before you drive off.

 

[iLikeCrafts]

Hi. Tell me how's your tort today? And what did the vet say? Anything new? I do hope to hear your tort is now better. Believe me injuries take time to wound so pray for the best and again...wishes for him recover and get well SOON. Good luck.

Wow, I am so sorry. If the whole shell is cracked, then everyone's right, he's in severe pain How is feeling today? I don't understand why your vet didn't humanely eauthinize him, this seems the best option right now so he doesn't suffer. I'm sorry this happened to you and your tort

Hi, sorry for the late reply. He died today. I teared when my brother was burying him. He's happier now in heaven, I'm sure.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Wow, I am so sorry. I bet he's happier now that he's not suffering. I am very sorry for your loss.

 

[AmRoKo]

I'm so sorry this happened, stuff like this is a reminder for all of us to try and make sure our torts are secure in their enclosures/areas. You are a very compassionate tort carer don't beat yourself up too much we all make mistakes.