Wound on neck

[Louisa Rudland]

So my Russian tortoise had peeling skin on her neck (like usual) and I noticed some blood. Underneath the skin was literally and open wound, almost as if the skin had separated between the crease it looked very painful and sore and quiet graphic. Any ideas?

 

[Jodie]

Does your tortoise live alone?

 

[Louisa Rudland]

Yeah

 

[Jodie]

I don't know then. Dry skin could crack and become a wound. Maybe a rock or something got in there. I would flush the wound as well as possible and apply some antibiotic cream. Keep it clean and watch it. If it begins to look infected or if behavior changes, I would make a vet appointment. Others with more experience may have more ideas. Hope he's ok.
How often do you soak him and what humidity do you keep him in? If his skin is just that dry, I would try to increase humidity and hydration.

 

[Louisa Rudland]

I could post a picture tomorrow or later this evening?
And I bath her twice a day every day I don't think it's a dehydration thing but that's just my opinion

 

[Tom]

I could post a picture tomorrow or later this evening?
And I bath her twice a day every day I don't think it's a dehydration thing but that's just my opinion

With twice a day soaks your tortoise might not be dehydrated on the inside, but under incandescent bulbs in a dry enclosure the skin could still be overly dry.

Doesn't matter how many gallons of water you drink, you will still get dry skin if you hang out in the desert. Indoor incandescent bulbs and their exceedingly high IR-A output are actually worse than being in a dry desert.

Looks like your tortoise is on grass or rabbit pellets in your avatar pic. This could be your issue.

These might offer some insight:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Louisa Rudland]

She's not on that substrate anymore but when she was everything seemed fine
I just don't know what to do anymore

 

[Tom]

Can we see a pic of the affected area?

 

[Louisa Rudland]

Hopefully I'll be able to get a picture up in a few hours as I'm away at the moment :/

 

[WillTort2]

I've heard of the edge of the shell being sharp enough to cause a cut or abrasion. Run your finger along the shell's edge to see it tit's too sharp; if so an emery board or some 400 grit fine sandpaper will correct it.