Meet Ben, new indian star tortoise

[shanu303]

so here's my new guy Ben...... i decided to make a separate thread for him like i did for max.....

he is wild caught specimen..... i got from a village family
he has surprisingly smooth shell but with a dog bite injury.....
so i'm hoping for advice on how to fill that crack and one more question is will the scute grow back??

 

[wellington]

Well, hello Ben He is very pretty. Glad the dog bite only did a little damage. I can't answer your question about the bite, but I don't think it will grow back.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

Beautiful (and big!)

 

[shanu303]

thank you for your complements.... i wanted to ask if there is some kind of animal epoxy or adhesive or something???? maybe something that's used for treating turtles that can be used for tortoise? because the vet i've met till now has no idea how to fill/cover the crack.... actually the wound is old and dried up so i think no need for antibiotics...... but all i want to do is cover or protect the bone from getting further damage....

 

[sibi]

I wouldn't try to fill the damage with anything. It's an old wound, like you said. The shell is damaged and will not grow back, but it has closed up. The best way to protect Ben from any harm is to keep him in a safe place where another dog can't get to him. Below my name is Tom's thread that I think you should read. There is surgical glue that vets use to keep the carapace or plastron together, but that's not to be used as some cosmetic fix. Epoxy glue has harmful chemicals in it, and should only be used as a life or death situation. You have such a beautiful star. Just give him a good home and keep him away from dogs!

 

[shanu303]

I wouldn't try to fill the damage with anything. It's an old wound, like you said. The shell is damaged and will not grow back, but it has closed up. The best way to protect Ben from any harm is to keep him in a safe place where another dog can't get to him. Below my name is Tom's thread that I think you should read. There is surgical glue that vets use to keep the carapace or plastron together, but that's not to be used as some cosmetic fix. Epoxy glue has harmful chemicals in it, and should only be used as a life or death situation. You have such a beautiful star. Just give him a good home and keep him away from dogs!

Thank you for your advice. i would definitely protect him from all those dangers.... and point noted that not to fill it with anything but will paper tape do something to keep dirt out ?? i don't want dirt/dust to accumulate in that crevasse....and i will definitely keep him away from dogs.... actually he was in a farm where they had dogs and he was all open and got attacked

 

[shanu303]

here are some more pics.....