Yesterday was such a full day. We picked up our 4 new Redfoots from NYC, made the long drive home and then received an urgent message for a Sulcata attacked by a dog. The family was able to bring her (YES her, our first female Sulcata ... Eve will be her name) to us and explain what happened.
Not nearly as bad as we imagined as far as the dog injuries were, but "O dear Lord this poor girl has suffered." She is at least 7 yrs. old and spent over 5 of them in a 40 gallon aquarium, the last 2 were spent in a backyard with a 40+ lb. male Sulcata. She weighs only 5 lbs. and has serious shell deformations. You'll notice in the first and second pic the 'Major' shell alignment or misalignment issues. The second pic (top right hand side) you will notice the dog bite/chew, it is visible in the third pic as well above my thumb. Such a Heartbreaking life she has endured, 1 can only imagine what torture her life has been full of ... That ENDS today. As she is the first female Eve is only appropriate we feel .... New life new name.
Guidance from the experts is appreciated greatly, our plan of treatment is as follows .....
In the 3rd pic above my thumb you'll notice the shell is 'Slivered' as best I can explain. It looks like the dog bit and fractured the shell creating a 'sliver' in the front leg cavity with bleeding and damage underneath. Our plan is to keep clean dry and sterile the wound using Chlorhexidine to sterilize. I am also thinking that the 'sliver' will need a small (very small) dab of Acrylic to secure it. Similar to what we did with Jo Jo. I am worried that the sliver will get caught on something and break even further. The Acrylic will only be to prevent the broken shell from damage further or splitting off. We will not seal or cover the break just secure it at the very tip preventing it from moving any more.
She is probably starving and today she will most likely receive the first touch from caring hands she's ever experienced.
Not nearly as bad as we imagined as far as the dog injuries were, but "O dear Lord this poor girl has suffered." She is at least 7 yrs. old and spent over 5 of them in a 40 gallon aquarium, the last 2 were spent in a backyard with a 40+ lb. male Sulcata. She weighs only 5 lbs. and has serious shell deformations. You'll notice in the first and second pic the 'Major' shell alignment or misalignment issues. The second pic (top right hand side) you will notice the dog bite/chew, it is visible in the third pic as well above my thumb. Such a Heartbreaking life she has endured, 1 can only imagine what torture her life has been full of ... That ENDS today. As she is the first female Eve is only appropriate we feel .... New life new name.
Guidance from the experts is appreciated greatly, our plan of treatment is as follows .....
In the 3rd pic above my thumb you'll notice the shell is 'Slivered' as best I can explain. It looks like the dog bit and fractured the shell creating a 'sliver' in the front leg cavity with bleeding and damage underneath. Our plan is to keep clean dry and sterile the wound using Chlorhexidine to sterilize. I am also thinking that the 'sliver' will need a small (very small) dab of Acrylic to secure it. Similar to what we did with Jo Jo. I am worried that the sliver will get caught on something and break even further. The Acrylic will only be to prevent the broken shell from damage further or splitting off. We will not seal or cover the break just secure it at the very tip preventing it from moving any more.
She is probably starving and today she will most likely receive the first touch from caring hands she's ever experienced.