Broken upper beak

[The Roo Ranch]

Tortoise of unknown age, from rescue 3 years and came with bad beak (photo 1). Beak was trimmed and crack in side grew out fine. Always ate just fine. Was put outside in his raised bed galvanized enclosure to enjoy the day. Just when to bring him in and saw he was in distress. Head pulled in, pawing at face, small amount of blood. His upper beak is broken completely off. What is best course to make him comfortable and it not get infected. Can they have liquid Meloxicam for pain relief? Keep in regular enclosure on orchid bark/coir or keep on towel or newspaper. Poor guy is definitely in need of help. Thanks in advance!

 

[Alice Sulcatia]

Ouch, poor baby! @Yvonne G might know what to do in this situation.

 

[COmtnLady]

@Yvonne G
@zovick
@ZEROPILOT
@Maggie3fan
@Markw84

 

[zovick]

Tortoise of unknown age, from rescue 3 years and came with bad beak (photo 1). Beak was trimmed and crack in side grew out fine. Always ate just fine. Was put outside in his raised bed galvanized enclosure to enjoy the day. Just when to bring him in and saw he was in distress. Head pulled in, pawing at face, small amount of blood. His upper beak is broken completely off. What is best course to make him comfortable and it not get infected. Can they have liquid Meloxicam for pain relief? Keep in regular enclosure on orchid bark/coir or keep on towel or newspaper. Poor guy is definitely in need of help. Thanks in advance!

What broke off was all excessive overgrowth of the upper beak. It will heal fine without any treatment being needed. The upper beak actually looks better now. You don't need to do anything with the upper beak other than make the left side look just like the right side.

The lower beak looks a bit pointed in the front and it would probably be a good idea to trim that point back a little bit so the tortoise can close its mouth better. The lower beak should fit just inside of the upper beak when the mouth is closed.

A good reptile or avian vet could get this done for you. Be aware that sedating the tortoise is most likely the best way to get this done without overly stressing the animal (or the vet).