My Russian tortoise was attacked by a dog

[Tmwilson47]

My husband's sweet baby shell boy roughly 12-13yrs Russian tortoise
was attacked this morning saturday July 20th, 2024. My mom's dog busted through the gate and did quite a bit of damage and almost killed the poor guy. We are unable to get into the vet for him to be seen until monday Is there anything I can do to help him in the meantime? I washed him well under warm water and I applied silver cream to him to help aid healing.He was active and walking around which gives me hope. But poor guy is banged up

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

My husband's sweet baby shell boy roughly 12-13yrs Russian tortoise
was attacked this morning saturday July 20th, 2024. My mom's dog busted through the gate and did quite a bit of damage and almost killed the poor guy. We are unable to get into the vet for him to be seen until monday Is there anything I can do to help him in the meantime? I washed him well under warm water and I applied silver cream to him to help aid healing.He was active and walking around which gives me hope. But poor guy is banged up

Hello!

I'm sorry that happened. Some "first aid" actions are: flush the wounds with clean water, then clean them with Chlorhexadine solution (dilluted to 0.05%) and apply antibiotic ointment (triple-action creme like Neosporin). Help tortoise to stay hydrated by shallow soaks, if possible. Keep him inside to prevent contamination of the wounds (especially flies). You've done things right, I hope he will be okay.

 

[TammyJ]

Silver Sulfadiazene cream is a great antibiotic for reptiles (not sure of the spelling). Can you post a picture of the plastron?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I would take him inside and house him on paper towels or cloth to prevent infection or any flies laying eggs into the food. More photos of the tortoise will help us determine the damage.

 

[EppsDynasty]

So sorry this happened! It unfortunately is too common. Consider yourself part of the statistics now, and tell everyone "Dogs are never to be around Tortoises"

 

[Yvonne G]

That's not a concerning injury, as there's no punctures or blood. The keratin has been scraped off the bone, like a human skinned knee. However, it won't grow back and the exposed bone will probably die. BUT!!! take heart! New keratin and bone will grow UNDER that exposed bone and as it grows that dead bone will pop off. It takes a very long time for this to happen. Expect to see him looking like this for a year or more.

 

[TammyJ]

I would still like to see the plastron (underside).

 

[Tmwilson47]

I would still like to see the plastron (underside).

This is what his under belly looks like

 

[Tmwilson47]

So sorry this happened! It unfortunately is too common. Consider yourself part of the statistics now, and tell everyone "Dogs are never to be around Tortoises"

We don't allow any animals around him. My mother lives next door and her evil dog busted through the gate while our tortoise was in his outdoor play yard getting some sun.

 

[Tmwilson47]

That's not a concerning injury, as there's no punctures or blood. The keratin has been scraped off the bone, like a human skinned knee. However, it won't grow back and the exposed bone will probably die. BUT!!! take heart! New keratin and bone will grow UNDER that exposed bone and as it grows that dead bone will pop off. It takes a very long time for this to happen. Expect to see him looking like this for a year or more.

This is his under side

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Poor little guy! I’m so sorry this happened, I imagine it was very upsetting for you all

You’ve been given good advice on keeping wounds clean ect, best you can do is closely monitor how he’s doing.
You have done done the best so far
He looks like he’s had quite a scrape bless him, but I can’t see any puncture wounds? That’s a lucky lil tort

Welcome to the forum btw! sorry you’ve joined under stressful circumstances

 

[Ray--Opo]

Welcome and sorry for the accident. I really can't tell, is there any damage to the plastron?

 

[EppsDynasty]

@Tmwilson47 .... I in no way am blaming you, clearly it was the "neighbors" dog. You are very lucky to not have any punctures or death. Dogs do this quite often and it just sucks, I am glad you are here and WELCOME. As this heals you'll most likely have more questions so stick around for a while.

 

[wellington]

The red on the plastron, likely from the dog. Put antibiotic cream on them too and house on paper towels until those are healed. If they are just red and not really a puncture then I would still put some antibiotic cream on but paper towels probably isn't needed.
Be sure to reinforce keeping the dog out. He now knows what's over the fence.

 

[EppsDynasty]

The red on the plastron, likely from the dog. Put antibiotic cream on them too and house on paper towels until those are healed. If they are just red and not really a puncture then I would still put some antibiotic cream on but paper towels probably isn't needed.
Be sure to reinforce keeping the dog out. He now knows what's over the fence.

Completely agree ... that dog will be back!

 

[Tmwilson47]

Poor little guy! I’m so sorry this happened, I imagine it was very upsetting for you all

You’ve been given good advice on keeping wounds clean ect, best you can do is closely monitor how he’s doing.
You have done done the best so far
He looks like he’s had quite a scrape bless him, but I can’t see any puncture wounds? That’s a lucky lil tort

Welcome to the forum btw! sorry you’ve joined under stressful circumstances

Thank you so much

 

[Tmwilson47]

Completely agree ... that dog will be back!

Yes we live in a duplex on the back side and the gate in between the front unit where my mother and her evil dog live doesn't always latch. The dog has a history of animal murdering behaviors. Eviscerated my sisters poor rabbit a few years ago and my daughter's friends kitten was violently shook and had its leg broken and was put down We are getting a lock for the gate to keep them both out. And will be able to get poor little shell dude into the vet Tuesday morning as it's the first available spot they have.

 

[Tmwilson47]

UPDATE----Wednesday july 24th. I took little dude in yesterday morning to the vet. I foundout he isn't 12yrs-13yrs as we originally thought. Tortuga aka Toogy (too-ghee) is 20yrs old! And weighs a whole 12oz like a can of soda lol. He was thoroughly examined and given a shot to help boost his immune system and nutrition. Poor little guy has been hiding in his little cave in his enclosure since Saturday and refusing to eat The vet said he is expected to heal but it will take awhile. Meanwhile keep him hydrated, offer greens, and I can continue his daily warm soaks and doing the silver cream on his front legs. Thank you everybody so much for all your helpful advice and comforting words and we'll wishes during this ordeal. We are just thankful mr.toogy/toogs is gonna be alright I went to the store and got him some romaine, collard greens, diced a small strawberry and got him his favorite (cucumber) and added tortoise sprinkle dust on top aka toogy sprinkles lol. Trying to entice him to eat something. Happy to report little dude snacked down like a little shell piranha super excited to see him eating.

 

[Tmwilson47]

I would take him inside and house him on paper towels or cloth to prevent infection or any flies laying eggs into the food. More photos of the tortoise will help us determine the damage.

We only allow him outside in his little enclosure for a few hours on sunny days. We have since gotten a pad lock for our gate as well as precaution. He lives inside the house thankfully the vet said it's all superficial surface damage and no missing shell chunks or exposed underlying tissue and no surgery required. Expected to make full recovery over the next year or so.

 

[Tmwilson47]

Welcome and sorry for the accident. I really can't tell, is there any damage to the plastron?

It was scraped like a scraped knee. But nothing major and no exposed soft tissues