Weird hole in shell Sulcata

[unnaturallycam]

My poor baby sulcata has a hole in his shell (kinda). What do I do?? Is it that bad?? Is my tortoise in pain?? He’s acting normal, but I’m worried.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

How long have you had him? When did you first notice it? If I had to guess, it looks like a tooth mark. Any marks on the bottom shell?

 

[unnaturallycam]

How long have you had him? When did you first notice it? If I had to guess, it looks like a tooth mark. Any marks on the bottom shell?

I’ve had him for a week now. I noticed just the other day. He has no other marks or knicks on his shell. His bottom is perfectly healthy. I thought it might be a rock in his enclosure, because I saw him messing around with it the other day. He was trying to move it and dig underneath of it. I obviously removed the rock. He has no encounters with any of my dogs. Nor have any of them had an interest in him. I have seen his previous home post with their dogs and tortoises, so I’m not sure.

 

[keilana+flash]

I’ve had him for a week now. I noticed just the other day. He has no other marks or knicks on his shell. His bottom is perfectly healthy. I thought it might be a rock in his enclosure, because I saw him messing around with it the other day. He was trying to move it and dig underneath of it. I obviously removed the rock. He has no encounters with any of my dogs. Nor have any of them had an interest in him. I have seen his previous home post with their dogs and tortoises, so I’m not sure.

It sounds like this could be an older injury, especially since you mentioned the previous home allowing their dogs around their torts. Does his shell feel soft or spongy at all? I would monitor his behavior and keep track of that knick, I'm not sure how old it could be and it is a bit difficult to tell from the picture, but if it is still healing you should make sure there aren't any signs of infection. Might be a good idea to put a triple antibiotic ointment on it for a few days.

 

[Alice Sulcatia]

It sounds like this could be an older injury, especially since you mentioned the previous home allowing their dogs around their torts. Does his shell feel soft or spongy at all? I would monitor his behavior and keep track of that knick, I'm not sure how old it could be and it is a bit difficult to tell from the picture, but if it is still healing you should make sure there aren't any signs of infection. Might be a good idea to put a triple antibiotic ointment on it for a few days.

Agreed, sounds like a dog got a hold of the little guy when it was younger and softer. I would keep an eye on the dent, keep it clean and apply Silver Spray to help it heal and avoid infections.