Chip with exposed tissue

[fireshadow]

I went to give my tortoise a rinse after finding her sitting in some poop. Noticed a small chip with tissue exposed. Cleaned and put flamazine on it, but wondering if this needs a vet trip or some epoxy to keep it clean. I don't know how it happened, but I am truly hoping its not from lacking care. She's been digging into a new spot in the recent weeks and thought it was odd.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

You might need to keep her off of substrate to keep it clean. @Yvonne G should be able to advice you.

 

[fireshadow]

You might need to keep her off of substrate to keep it clean. @Yvonne G should be able to advice you.

Oh jeez, I was hoping there was a patch or something available. She's in a very large, bioactive, indoor enclosure. She could free roam on the floor in her room though.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Oh jeez, I was hoping there was a patch or something available. She's in a very large, bioactive, indoor enclosure. She could free roam on the floor in her room though.

I am not 100% sure, so you can wait for other opinions.

 

[Ink]

Don't let her free roam on the floor. I would check everywhere for something she could of injured herself on.

 

[fireshadow]

Don't let her free roam on the floor. I would check everywhere for something she could of injured herself on.

She's got a private room. Her room is heated and humidified. I would think that would be my only safe way to get her off substrate without changing her actual environment too much.

I have her substrate layered, and would assume she was trying to bury herself and maybe rubbed on some bark chips the wrong way?

I'm honestly worried this is a sign of a bigger issue.

 

[Ink]

Can you post picture of her enclosure and room? Maybe someone can spot something?

 

[fireshadow]

Mini update. Called a local vet that deals with exotics and they are going to have the vet look at the picture and advise if I should come in or not. They are a new vet to the city, but boast dealing with exotics.
She does seem to have runny poop today too. Not her normal. Not sure if it's related or not.

Here's a picture of where she's been sleeping for the last couple weeks. It's not her full enclosure. She's been burying herself in the corner. Normally she just goes into one of her houses and burries herself.
Bark chips are only at surface, not deep enough for her to slip while walking. 3-4inches of sand/dirt/coco/etc under.

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

Oh jeez, I was hoping there was a patch or something available. She's in a very large, bioactive, indoor enclosure. She could free roam on the floor in her room though.

Free roaming a tortoise in the house is very very Un Safe For any tortoise

 

[fireshadow]

Free roaming a tortoise in the house is very very Un Safe For any tortoise

What do people normally do when they need to get a larger animal off substrate? If she didn't have a private room, I wouldn't consider it.

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

What do people normally do when they need to get a larger animal off substrate? If she didn't have a private room, I wouldn't consider it.

You have to understand tortoises they taste everything carpet fuss, dust, I have pic of a ex ray of a tortoise witha cross earring in its stomck

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Mini update. Called a local vet that deals with exotics and they are going to have the vet look at the picture and advise if I should come in or not. They are a new vet to the city, but boast dealing with exotics.
She does seem to have runny poop today too. Not her normal. Not sure if it's related or not.

Here's a picture of where she's been sleeping for the last couple weeks. It's not her full enclosure. She's been burying herself in the corner. Normally she just goes into one of her houses and burries herself.
Bark chips are only at surface, not deep enough for her to slip while walking. 3-4inches of sand/dirt/coco/etc under.

I don't think that bark caused this chipping. Pieces of slate (on the left, near the hide entrance), probably.

Keeping her off substrate for several days until wound starts healing is a good suggestion. Large plastic box (e.g. under bed storage container), kiddy pool, grow tent with a layer of paper towels can be an option.

You can do one-time application of Betadine or chlorhexidine. And then continue with antibiotic ointment.

 

[fireshadow]

I don't think that bark caused this chipping. Pieces of slate (on the left, near the hide entrance), probably.

Keeping her off substrate for several days until wound starts healing is a good suggestion. Large plastic box (e.g. under bed storage container), kiddy pool, grow tent with a layer of paper towels can be an option.

You can do one-time application of Betadine or chlorhexidine. And then continue with antibiotic ointment.

Should still eventually have the slate back? I assumed they needed some for their nails.

I have both chlor and betadine, is one better than the other?

 

[Ink]

You can take a file, or sand paper to dull the edges of the slate. I have used a Dremel with a file attachment. She might have been climbing and her bottom might of hit the slate.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Should still eventually have the slate back? I assumed they needed some for their nails.

I have both chlor and betadine, is one better than the other?

I would get a larger one with polished edges. However, I'm not sure if slate is at all effective for nails conditioning (my tortoise has some rough surface in outdoors enclosure and I see effect only after significant "mileage" - maybe 2-3 miles).

Try chlorhexidine. Let it sit on a wound for 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water. Let it dry and apply Flamazine.

 

[fireshadow]

I am very concerned with what the vet said based off the same picture that was provided here. They want to do pain meds and debridement. I did not think it needed debridement. They will not provide a quote beyond the initial exam. She's also still eating and acting the same. Only noticed the issue because she plopped herself in poop.
Thoughts?!

 

[Ink]

@Yvonne G @zovick @wellington hopefully can help you soon. Is the tail bloody too?

 

[Yvonne G]

Clean it then dry it well and dab on some Neosporin or other first aid cream. then put either a cotton puff with masking tape or Liquid Bandage to keep it clean

 

[fireshadow]

@Yvonne G @zovick @wellington hopefully can help you soon. Is the tail bloody too?

Had to run and check, but no, it's red scales covered in poop.

 

[fireshadow]

Clean it then dry it well and dab on some Neosporin or other first aid cream. then put either a cotton puff with masking tape or Liquid Bandage to keep it clean

No vet? No pain meds? No debridement? It's ok to treat at home?
New picture attached.