HELP!! Injured painted turtle or red eared turtle (not sure) with cracked shell

[Turtlegirl123]

I found a turtle on the side of the highway with a cracked shell. The front of his shell is fully cracked and he was bleeding a lot. This was a few hours ago and he is still alive thankfully. I am going to a rehabilitation center in the morning. I’m in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Does anyone recommend any centers or have any care advice for the time being?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I found a turtle on the side of the highway with a cracked shell. The front of his shell is fully cracked and he was bleeding a lot. This was a few hours ago and he is still alive thankfully. I am going to a rehabilitation center in the morning. I’m in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Does anyone recommend any centers or have any care advice for the time being?

Omg the poor thing!! I’ve never dealt with anything like this personally so can’t advise but wanted to say you’re amazing for picking them up!!
I’m sure someone will answer you soon on how to make them more comfortable whilst in your care, hopefully the rehab will give you updates on this guy, be nice to see how they get on

 

[Maggie3fan]

@wellington....we have a moderator who lives in that area, she's good....she'll know where to take it...how are you keeping it now? I'm torn between trying to give him a drink some how, and soaking him...do you have him under a hot light? Do that now...it looks like he might be a midland Painted, I see red on that leg....he really needs to be hydrated...I'd put him in a hospital tank about 85 degrees...put a water dish in the ground even with the dirt...he might just take a drink on his own...he needs to have his whole head under to drink...how is he now?

 

[Turtlegirl123]

@wellington....we have a moderator who lives in that area, she's good....she'll know where to take it...how are you keeping it now? I'm torn between trying to give him a drink some how, and soaking him...do you have him under a hot light? Do that now...it looks like he might be a midland Painted, I see red on that leg....he really needs to be hydrated...I'd put him in a hospital tank about 85 degrees...put a water dish in the ground even with the dirt...he might just take a drink on his own...he needs to have his whole head under to drink...how is he now?

I just gave him to KANE Rehab in St. Charles, Illinois. They told me he may have a broken spine. But he’s been alive for hours so he’s a fighter. I’m hoping they will still try to help him regardless of the severity. But please show this post to the moderator because I’d love to hear their opinion and if the rehab center I took the turtle to is a good one

 

[wellington]

Call this place

Chicago Herpetological Society

chicagoherp.org

 

[wellington]

I just gave him to KANE Rehab in St. Charles, Illinois. They told me he may have a broken spine. But he’s been alive for hours so he’s a fighter. I’m hoping they will still try to help him regardless of the severity. But please show this post to the moderator because I’d love to hear their opinion and if the rehab center I took the turtle to is a good one

I don't know anything about that place. I'm in Chicago, so not so close to St. Charles
However,they probably rehab a lot of turtles in that location. I'm sure if they can help him they will. If the worse happens, and they have to euthanize, it will be done properly.
You did the right thing.

 

[Turtlegirl123]

I don't know anything about that place. I'm in Chicago, so not so close to St. Charles
However,they probably rehab a lot of turtles in that location. I'm sure if they can help him they will. If the worse happens, and they have to euthanize, it will be done properly.
You did the right thing.

Okay, thanks so much!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Glad to hear he’s at the rehab now! Like wellington said, if he has to be put to sleep, at least he didn’t meet his end on the road after days of suffering, you absolutely did the right thing, well done❤️ hopefully he’ll recover!

 

[Maggie3fan]

And thank you so much for caring about that turtle...did they tell you his species?

 

[Turtlegirl123]

Glad to hear he’s at the rehab now! Like wellington said, if he has to be put to sleep, at least he didn’t meet his end on the road after days of suffering, you absolutely did the right thing, well done❤️ hopefully he’ll recover!

Thank you!

 

[Turtlegirl123]

was

And thank you so much for caring about that turtle...did they tell you his species?

they did not unfortunately, but I’ll definitely ask them later

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

was

they did not unfortunately, but I’ll definitely ask them later

Hopefully they’ll let you know the outcome either way

 

[Turtlegirl123]

Hopefully they’ll let you know the outcome either way

Yes they said they will definitely keep me updated. Really wishing him the best. He fought so hard I truly do believe he will recover

 

[wellington]

Keep us updated on this thread too please

 

[zovick]

@Maggie3fan @Turtlegirl123

It is a Midland Painted Turtle

 

[zovick]

@Maggie3fan @Turtlegirl123

It is a Midland Painted Turtle

Neglected to add above that I hope that it can be saved. You did a very good thing by rescuing it from the road!