3-legged box turtle with shell damage - need some help

[Questingbeast]

I received this rescued 3-legged box turtle from a wildlife rescue and museum to work some magic with, but there is SO much going on with his shell that I'm honestly a bit confused with what kind of damage this all is or how to tackle the problem areas. I am more than willing to take him to the vet, but was wondering if anyone could help before I do so.

The missing foot is an old injury and is not causing any problems.

Here are some pictures. Let me know if these are good enough. Thanks everyone!

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About the husbandry
- He is being kept in a 3.5ft by 2ft by 2ft bin.
- Eco earth for substrate
- He is eating dubia roaches, crickets, superworms, canned box turtle food (for some reason its what he loves the most, I am not sure how good it is for him, fed maybe 2 times a week), and loves carrots. He is being very picky about his veggies and leafy greens but that's another issue. I already read some amazing tips here to get him to eat those!)
- repti-calcium and repashy vitamin supplements
- 18" UVB light and heat lamp around 80-85 degrees with cool end 73 degrees

 

[Tim Carlisle]

I don't have any real advice right offhand, but wanted to extend you a kudos for rescuing the poor baby!

 

[Questingbeast]

I don't have any real advice right offhand, but wanted to extend you a kudos for rescuing the poor baby!

Thank you! hopefully we can get to the bottom of this and he can go to a new home by spring!

 

[Tim Carlisle]

It certainly looks to be dehydrated. I think that's where I'd start. It's been decades since I cared for box turtles though.

 

[ColleenT]

He should probably be soaked every other day for a while. He is so dry.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Some long daily soaks will go a long way too.

Looks like i forgot to hit SEND on this one...

 

[Len B]

To me it looks to be an old injury possibly caused by this poor guy getting caught in a fire..Since he is not going to grow is size maybe use something to protect the open bone areas. I'm not sure what would be best to use to achieve a good and safe sealant that would last over time.

 

[Yvonne G]

All of that shell damage is old and dead. There's nothing you can do about it. If you will notice the two spots - one on the right side just above the edge of the shell and the other just above his left rear leg - those are where that old, white, dead bone has popped off and is showing the new keratin that has grown under that old, white, dead bone. All those white patches will do that too, that is, pop off as the turtle grows, showing the new keratin underneath. The new keratin won't have the appearance of the existing shell because it didn't have the opportunity to grow in spurts like the original shell did. But it is just as strong as his original shell.

You have a male Terrapene ornata ornata, and the damage you see is quite old and he's fine.

 

[Questingbeast]

Thank you everyone. I concur that he is very dry! poor thing. And the shell damage does look old and had been there for awhile, so I have been told.

 

[Questingbeast]

Yvonne, thank you for your insight. I am happy it does not appear to be progressive shell rot or anything like that, but old injuries.

 

[bluewolf]

Some long daily soaks will go a long way too.

Looks like i forgot to hit SEND on this one...

Thankyou for taking him in and giving him tender care. I agree on the soaking. Not only great for his health, cleans them out and energizes them.I wonder if Soaking also makes them feel better than anything else we do with and for them