tortoise first aid kit

[Heather H]

what would you have in your first aid kit for your tortoises?
things I thought of already. please add on thanks guys sorry if i spell things wrong. my dog and cats have thier own kits. so why not a tortoise
saline eye wash
dropper
carrot baby food
neosporin
syringe ( no needle)
betadine
lotramine
heat packs

 

[smarch]

I actually just saw a post on reptile magazines site about reptile first ad kits and it had a nice long list!
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptiles-Magazine/The-Vet-Report-Herp-First-Aid-Kit-Checklist/

 

[Heather H]

I actually just saw a post on reptile magazines site about reptile first ad kits and it had a nice long list!
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptiles-Magazine/The-Vet-Report-Herp-First-Aid-Kit-Checklist/

wow it is long .thanks

 

[Heather H]

so i copied this from the site above: what is not needed for a tortoise . ?

Basic First Aid Supplies

• Gauze pads
• Sterile, non-stick gauze pads for bandaging
• Sterile saline flush (sold at pharmacies)
• Gauze rolls
• Adhesive tape (cloth and waterproof)
• Antiseptic wipes, soap or spray
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Hydrogen peroxide (check the date on the bottle; replace as necessary)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Disposable gloves
• Electronic thermometer
• Lubricating jelly
• Scissors
• Good tweezers or needlenose pliers (not old rusty ones!)
• A pillowcase (for temporary confinement)
• Electrolyte solution (e.g., Gatorade, Pedialyte)
• Powdered calorie supplement (several commercial brands for reptiles are available)
• Small, soft spatula (for opening mouths)
• Nail clippers
• Non-prescription antibiotic ointment (available at drug stores)
• Small flashlight
• Paper towels
• Plastic eyedropper or syringes
• Utility knife (such as a Swiss Army knife)
• Several large paperclips or popsicle sticks (to be used as splints)
• Styptic powder (clotting powder; available at pet and drug stores)
• Sharpie pen

 

[Heather H]

and wow thats a lot of stuff.

 

[smarch]

wow it is long .thanks

I was surprised by the length too, and i'm sure theres still more that can be added specifically for tortoises, like the you said before baby food, although in emergencies I've heard of people using diluted pedialyte soaks like carrot ones, so I guess either or works there.
I don't see the use in the spatula to keep the mouth open... theres got to be better ways that people on here know that would perhaps be more portable too.
otherwise I'm not really one to argue about having too much... you should see the trunk of my car, theres no such thing as too prepared lol.

 

[jsheffield - In Memoriam]

Thanks for the thread, I've got a FAK for my dogs, and will now set one up for Darwin, my redfoot.

Jamie

 

[Madkins007]

From the TortoiseLibrary (https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/health-and-medical):

First aid kit:
Much of this is already in your family or pet first-aid kit, or should be. See the American Red Cross Dog (or Cat) First Aid Book or something similar for more ideas. Note: I don't keep or really recommend a special 'pet' kit. I just add key items to my family kit.

• Disposable gloves (to minimize chances of disease and infections)
• Scissors with small, strong, sharp blades
• Scalpel blades and handle (A clean, new #11 X-acto blade works)
• Pet toe nail clippers or diagonal cutting pliers
• Tweezers with good, sharp points
• Tongue depressors, clean Popsicle sticks, wooden skewers or chopsticks (for splints or to hold open the mouth)
• Magnifying glass
• Penlight
• Chemical heat packs, hand warmers, etc.
• Sterile gauze squares, 2x2” and 3x3”
• Roller gauze or self-cohesive tape (Vet Wrap), 2"
• Paper first aid tape, 1” wide (used as a 'first layer' to protect the scales and scutes)
• Electrical tape or waterproof first-aid tape (stronger tapes to use on top of paper tape)
  
• Alcohol or alcohol wipes
• Wound disinfectant such as Providone-Iodine Scrub (Betadine)
• Antibiotic ointment (silver sulfadiazine ointment or 2% mupirocin ointment are much better than 'triple antibiotic' or other drug store ointments)
  
• Petroleum jelly or Bag Balm (to ‘seal’ injuries)
• Styptic powder or sticks, Kwik Stop, or cornstarch (to stop slow bleeds)
• Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment for eyes, e.g., Terramycin
• Cotton-tipped swabs or small sponges
• Eye wash solution or sterile water in a squirt bottle (to rinse eyes or wounds)

 

[TortillaandGamera]

so i copied this from the site above: what is not needed for a tortoise . ?

Basic First Aid Supplies

• Gauze pads
• Sterile, non-stick gauze pads for bandaging
• Sterile saline flush (sold at pharmacies)
• Gauze rolls
• Adhesive tape (cloth and waterproof)
• Antiseptic wipes, soap or spray
• Cotton balls and swabs
• Hydrogen peroxide (check the date on the bottle; replace as necessary)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Disposable gloves
• Electronic thermometer
• Lubricating jelly
• Scissors
• Good tweezers or needlenose pliers (not old rusty ones!)
• A pillowcase (for temporary confinement)
• Electrolyte solution (e.g., Gatorade, Pedialyte)
• Powdered calorie supplement (several commercial brands for reptiles are available)
• Small, soft spatula (for opening mouths)
• Nail clippers
• Non-prescription antibiotic ointment (available at drug stores)
• Small flashlight
• Paper towels
• Plastic eyedropper or syringes
• Utility knife (such as a Swiss Army knife)
• Several large paperclips or popsicle sticks (to be used as splints)
• Styptic powder (clotting powder; available at pet and drug stores)
• Sharpie pen

Wow! That’s a load of items, what tortoise needs a sharpie pen
This is a good starting point for consideration but I’ll wait and see first what kind of trouble my tortoise two get themselves into.

 

[agnes&theo]

This is awesome!! I also have a baby generator in case of a long-term black out/no power situation in addition to my hand warmers...but I'm kind of extra haha.

 

[Jan A]

This is awesome!! I also have a baby generator in case of a long-term black out/no power situation in addition to my hand warmers...but I'm kind of extra haha.

Most of this is what you have handy for people as well as your pets. Seriously, gatorade, pedialite, electrolite waters are must haves in hot weather no matter your situation or your species or your climate.

 

[Rynan]

Mmmh, is wire mesh and surgical tape a good combination? I'd think the malleability and the breathability of the wire mesh would make a great temporary shell protector. And the surgical tape is just strong and water proof enough to hold small cracks.

 

[marbalboy]

what would you have in your first aid kit for your tortoises?
things I thought of already. please add on thanks guys sorry if i spell things wrong. my dog and cats have thier own kits. so why not a tortoise
saline eye wash
dropper
carrot baby food
neosporin
syringe ( no needle)
betadine
lotramine
heat packs

What is the carrot for please?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

What is the carrot for please?

Baby carrot food is to help in cases of extreme malnutrion and weakness. It's added to the soaking water to provide some nutrients to a tortoise who is starving to extent that it can't eat on its own (often eyes are swollen because of vitamin A deficiency).

 

[Hummingbyrd77]

This is awesome!! I also have a baby generator in case of a long-term black out/no power situation in addition to my hand warmers...but I'm kind of extra haha.

That awesome they sell car starter jumpers with usb and regular plug in that can last a bit , but could tell us more about the baby generator

 

[kazran]

Howl's Tortoise First Aid Kit:



- betadine
- chlorhexidine
- sterile eyewash
- anti-fungal cream
- triple antibiotic ointment
- Gerber carrot baby food
- hand warmers
- soft bristled toothbrush
- sterile gauze pads
- vet wrap
- tweezers
- first aid scissors
- latex gloves
- ear swabs
- droppers
- syringes
- sharpie
- bag balm

*a tiny bottle of unflavored Pedialyte is also on the way but has not arrived yet

Is there anything I have missed or anything I should not include in a tortoise first aid kit? I am particularly wondering about the bag balm, since I can't think of a scenario where it would be better than a soak or some of the other items. Thanks!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Howl's Tortoise First Aid Kit:

View attachment 400546

- betadine
- chlorhexidine
- sterile eyewash
- anti-fungal cream
- triple antibiotic ointment
- Gerber carrot baby food
- hand warmers
- soft bristled toothbrush
- sterile gauze pads
- vet wrap
- tweezers
- first aid scissors
- latex gloves
- ear swabs
- droppers
- syringes
- sharpie
- bag balm

*a tiny bottle of unflavored Pedialyte is also on the way but has not arrived yet

Is there anything I have missed or anything I should not include in a tortoise first aid kit? I am particularly wondering about the bag balm, since I can't think of a scenario where it would be better than a soak or some of the other items. Thanks!

Your list sounds comprehensive to me. One thing I personally have (especially as I live in a colder climate), is a insulated box for a tortoise "carrier", in my case a cooler I got for this specific purpose. This is for vet visits or any other emergency reason I might have to leave the house with Edward. If I ever have to take him to the vet I want to be prepared beforehand to be able to make the trip the least stressful as possible, and maintaining a stable temperature is a big part of this.

 

[kazran]

One thing I personally have (especially as I live in a colder climate), is a insulated box for a tortoise "carrier", in my case a cooler I got for this specific purpose. This is for vet visits or any other emergency reason I might have to leave the house with Edward. If I ever have to take him to the vet I want to be prepared beforehand to be able to make the trip the least stressful as possible, and maintaining a stable temperature is a big part of this.

I have a matching insulated lunchbox as a travel carrier! It will have hand warmers on the bottom, paper towels, a bit of substrate, and plenty of greens for them to eat/hide in. In the top pouch I have extra paper towels (for the inevitable car ride poop), and a bit of Mazuri since they seem to love it, and I can moisten it easily away from home.

 

[COmtnLady]

Having a Red Foot, I also add into it - Athletes Foot Cream.

 

[kazran]

Having a Red Foot, I also add into it - Athletes Foot Cream.

The anti-fungal cream says it can be used for athlete's foot, but as Howl is an Eastern Hermann's I'm not as concerned about shell rot