Damaged scute and antiseptic solution (Greek)

Kristoff

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Dear tortoise experts,

I'm a new owner of two Greeks (kept apart). My younger one, Kristoff, came with a chipped nuchal scute, and I noticed yesterday that the damaged edge started to detach somewhat from the rest of the carapace. There's no other visible damage.

Here in Turkey we use Batticon (10% polividon-iodine) as antiseptic. Would that be OK on him? What else can I do, if anything, to help him heal?

Some more info: He's been with us for a month; kept in his native climate, outdoors. Diet consists of mostly weeds and small field flowers with an occasional offering of tomato or lettuce. I soak him daily--but usually for only a few minutes before he starts trying to get out.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Lena
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JoesMum

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If an antiseptic is necessary, go ahead with what you have.

With regard to soaks, You are likely to have most success doing it first thing in the morning before your tort has warmed up properly.

The water needs to be warm, but not hot and use a flat-bottomed bowl with high sides that your tort can't see over or through.

How was the scute damaged? Are these torts being kept together?
 

Kristoff

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With regard to soaks, You are likely to have most success doing it first thing in the morning before your tort has warmed up properly.

Thank you, @JoesMum, I'll try this first thing tomorrow! I've been soaking them in the afternoon until now but all they did was trying to get out. :)

How was the scute damaged? Are these torts being kept together?

As for the scute, I don't know what happened - he had it when I got him, but it took me some time to realize that this wasn't normal.

I found him wandering on a road next to a parking lot, so maybe he's been through something. Then, he can be a bit aggressive as I've come to learn -- maybe he'd had a fight? It doesn't look like shell rot, but I keep inspecting him in case I'm wrong.

Anyway, it's not my other tort - they're kept apart.
 

Yvonne G

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The Batticon is ok to use one or two times, but it actually inhibits the growth of new white blood cells, so should not be used more than once or twice.

That scute is not going to be a problem for him. Just keep an eye on it, and if it looks raw make sure flies are kept away.
 

Kristoff

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That scute is not going to be a problem for him. Just keep an eye on it, and if it looks raw make sure flies are kept away.

Thank you very much, Yvonne! It's a relief to know the scute probably doesn't cause him pain. It didn't seem to but I got worried.

@JoesMum, I soaked him this morning and he took it much better. At least he wasn't trying frantically to get out :) Thanks a lot for good advice!!
 

Kristoff

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I must be a terrible tort mom. His scute is gone, and I don't even know how exactly he lost it. I just noticed it was missing one day. He doesn't seem uncomfortable, but what do I know? :( :(
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