Sulcata Shell Injury

[Dizisdalife]

Yesterday I noticed a small injury to Chuck's shell. It looked and felt like the intersection of several scutes was being pushed out. Today it appears larger and I can see that something puhed under the edge of the scute puncturing it. Do I need to take him to the Vet, or is this a common injury that I can treat? I have no idea what caused the injury. I have a hunch that it happened while he was pacing along a chain link fence.

 

[wellington]

Personally, I would just keep and eye on it. Making sure it doesn't get worse. I would also see if you can find something in the enclosure that could have done it and fix it before it happens again, but maybe in a worse spot.

 

[Tom]

Every once in a while I see something like that too. I don't want to tell you what to do. If you want a veterinarian opinion, no one should say you are wrong. Personally, if it were my tortoise, I would clean and disinfect with some peroxide and/or Betadine, so I could get a really good look at it, then after it dried and you are relatively sure that there is no foreign body in there, I would apply some triple antibiotic ointment and keep a close eye on it and him.

Now go tell everyone that chain link and see through fencing isn't a good idea for tortoises! They really ought to have a visual barrier, just for this reason.

 

[Dizisdalife]

Every once in a while I see something like that too. I don't want to tell you what to do. If you want a veterinarian opinion, no one should say you are wrong. Personally, if it were my tortoise, I would clean and disinfect with some peroxide and/or Betadine, so I could get a really good look at it, then after it dried and you are relatively sure that there is no foreign body in there, I would apply some triple antibiotic ointment and keep a close eye on it and him.

Now go tell everyone that chain link and see through fencing isn't a good idea for tortoises! They really ought to have a visual barrier, just for this reason.

Thanks Tom. I will be installing 2 x 12's along that fence this weekend. It is a fence that runs behind hedges. He sometimes tries to squeeze through a space between the fence and a branch of the bushes that is too small for him. Something has to give.

I do agree with you about chain link fences. Most of Chuck's perimeter is wood. I happen to like wood over concrete because the wood doesn't scratch their shells.

Treated the wound with betadine and antibiotic ointment. I have an appointment with my Vet tomorrow afternoon. I have been to this Vet before. Dr. Steffes at Pet Hospital of Penasquitos (for those of us in the San Diego area) is a tortoise keeper (redfoot and leopard) and is a reptile specialist.

 

[Tom]

2X12s will work, but if you get thin plywood and rip it in to three 16" high strips, you'll get 24' for every sheet.

Just another idea.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

2X12s will work, but if you get thin plywood and rip it in to three 16" high strips, you'll get 24' for every sheet.

Just another idea.

This works very good and allows keeping more money in your wallet for tortoise emergencies, enclosure inprovements, or more tortoises.

 

[Dizisdalife]

Thanks for the tip. Would I need to paint the plywood?