Tortoise attacked by rat (?)

So sad to read this story. Never underestimate rats! Both of my parents 40+ year old Greeks were killed while in hibernation by rats. This was many years ago but it’s always stayed with me.
Best of Luck, glad your tort is almost back to normal.

HawaiiHermann said:

A large scab came off today. Most of the flesh underneath is white/pink and even, but there's a pea-sized yellowish protrusion. The vet suspects that it might be some old pus, and suggested to gently debride it with a q-tip. Wish me (and the tortoise) luck...

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Exactly what mine looked like on both front limbs. A lot of sloughing took place for the 2 to 3 weeks after the whitish skin was visible.

HawaiiHermann said:

The protrusion didn't swab off cleanly, though now it's a smaller red spot. For now, I'm just keeping it clean and hydrated with antibiotic ointment.

Today was the first day he's really been acting like his old self. In other words, he walked through his food repeatedly and knocked over the baby monitor. The large scabs on his feet have fallen off. That just leaves large scabs on one arm and the tail.

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Thanks for the updates - it's really inspiring to see how a tort can recover from such trauma.

Wishing the best to your little one. I hope he's 100% his old self in no time.

I’m glad he’s doing better. Might be time for a couple cats! I’m not really a cat person but they do take care of the mice in the house.

richosullivan said:

Exactly what mine looked like on both front limbs. A lot of sloughing took place for the 2 to 3 weeks after the whitish skin was visible.

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Yeah, it's kinda freaky looking! I couldn't find many pics of healing tortoises so it was a little worrying at first.

Erik Elvis said:

I’m glad he’s doing better. Might be time for a couple cats! I’m not really a cat person but they do take care of the mice in the house.

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There are 2 or 3 cats that roam around my property -- not sure if they are neighborhood cats or feral. They're obviously slacking though! Wish there was a creature I could have caged up with the tortoise to protect that spot...

It's been a while since I updated. Today marks 2 months since the attack. The last scab (on the tail) fell off in the bath today. The nasal area is still open and likely will be permanently... oh well. New scales have grown in on many of the injured parts, and it seems like the rest will fill in with time. He's still inside for now, though he gets supervised daytime visits to his outdoor enclosure.

He looks so awesome glad he’s healing and healthy!!

He looks healthy and beautiful..
May he recover fast...

Just seeing this...so glad your tort is on the mend! I had a rat in my outdoor enclosure last week. I was scrolling through nest cam footage and saw the glowing eyes. Then reviewed all the video in my 10 day history. He came every night between 8:30-10:30! Luckily my tort was in her night box by then. First night with the trap and we go to him. Watching footage every night since and all seems clear. So scary this could have been Ruby

Wow! I just read your story too!
Absolutely amazing how much your tort was able to go through! Poor baby. He has lived a full life, and his scars add character. He is probably so happy after you were so kind to save his life like that!

It's been a while since I updated. Here's my guy now. He's back outside during the day but comes in at night. The flesh is healed over and new scales are growing in, though he's still missing several fingernails, part of his tail, and the nostril area.

Wow, looks great. What good care he had. So glad he had a happy outcome.