Need Help! Severe Shell Damage

[Alecjb12]

Hello Tortoise Forum,

I recently rescued two tortoises from a couple who are moving out of state. One of the tortoises had escaped earlier in the year and was found with severe shell damage. My questions are:

1. Does this classify as severe damage?
2. Any signs of shell rot?
3. Has it fully healed? Will it heal more?
4. Does this require attention/repair?
5. Can I repair with epox/fiberglass (seen on YouTube)

Please advise.

 

[Ink]

It looks like old damage that has healed. It's cosmetic now. Are any scutes loose? Is the plastron (bottom) ok? @Yvonne G will be able to help you more

 

[Alecjb12]

It looks like old damage that has healed. It's cosmetic now. Are any scutes loose? Is the plastron (bottom) ok? @Yvonne G will be able to help you more

A couple of scutes look to be loose.

 

[Ink]

Do NOT pull them off. Leave them alone. They will fall off when the underneath of the scutes are healed. Make sure he can bump them or anything rubs on them. Do Not use epoxy/fiberglass. Is there any blood? Can you post pictures from the sides too please

 

[zovick]

Hello Tortoise Forum,

I recently rescued two tortoises from a couple who are moving out of state. One of the tortoises had escaped earlier in the year and was found with severe shell damage. My questions are:

1. Does this classify as severe damage?
2. Any signs of shell rot?
3. Has it fully healed? Will it heal more?
4. Does this require attention/repair?
5. Can I repair with epox/fiberglass (seen on YouTube)

Please advise.

View attachment 383157

IMHO, that damage was there long before the tortoise escaped and did not happen in the recent past. IE, as Ink said, it looks to be very old damage and has healed already.

It almost looks like the shell was burned by a heat lamp being too close to the animal when it was younger. The scutes are gradually healing/being replaced now.

There is no shell rot evident. It does not usually occur on the top shell (carapace), but rather on the bottom shell (plastron).

You do not need to take any action at this time. Just let the tortoise heal on its own.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

The couple probably got the wrong tort back. Regardless, he/she needs your TLC. Thanks for taking them in.

 

[Yvonne G]

I know you said it was thought the shell damage occurred while the tortoise was lost, but that damage looks EXACTLY like what happens when a hot light or heat source is too close to the shell. It's quite old, and the new shell has already covered the damaged area. I'm thinking the previous owners are the one who had the light too close to the shell, and by the time the lost tortoise was found all the new growth had caused the old, damaged shell to flake off, giving the impression it was a new injury.

The damage has been resolved and requires nothing to be done. Nature is taking care of it.

 

[Alecjb12]

Thanks everyone! Plan on giving them a forever home with the best possible care.