Rescue turtle questions

Christyk

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Recently I took in an injured box turtle. She was hit by a car and has shell damage. I brought her to a vet and am working with him for eventual release back to wild. Here's the question; what would you use for fungal growth on the affected area where there is no shell. I'm using providone iodine to keep bacteria at bay. Just unsure of an antifungal.
FYI- I do have 2 box turtles of my own and am good with her care otherwise.
 

Maro2Bear

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Any anti-fungal cream that is good on humans will work, but id think there shouldnt be “fungus” . A terramycin type product maybe,

For fungus -

There are many OTC topical antifungal medications, including:
  • miconazole (Desenex)
  • terbinafine (Lamisil AT)
  • clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
  • butenafine (Lotrimin Ultra)
  • tolnaftate (Tinactin)
 

ZenHerper

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Is there active infection (has a culture revealed a specific fungal agent)? Or just for prevention?

PI is anti-fungal...

(Photos welcome.)
 

Christyk

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Is there active infection (has a culture revealed a specific fungal agent)? Or just for prevention?

PI is anti-fungal...

(Photos welcome.)
It looks like a fungus to me. Vet did not do any cultures. I'm just wanting to get it all healed so we can get him/her back to the wild.
 

jsheffield

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Where normally I'd recommend athlete's foot cream from the dollar store, I don't think I would in this case, given the extensive damage.

I might just stick with the providone iodine, or try Chlorhexidine instead....

Jamie
 

Maro2Bear

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Where normally I'd recommend athlete's foot cream from the dollar store, I don't think I would in this case, given the extensive damage.

I might just stick with the providone iodine, or try Chlorhexidine instead....

Jamie

Yeah, i think so too. Doesnt look like a fungus....more of a dried/decayed/ area.
 

ZenHerper

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This is post soak. I'm soaking daily; by the end of today this area is all white. Healing is happening there is improvement. View attachment 296208
Reptiles heal extreeeeeemely sloooooowly. =))

Their metabolism and immune function are entirely dependent on: ambient temperature, hydration, nutrition.

Make sure all of the temps are Optimal, and prevent the enclosure from dipping below 75F degrees. No overnight cooling. Keep a basking spot ~90F. Boxies like to drink as much as they like to eat, so provide clean water throughout the day. Healthful proteins: worms, goldfish/minnows. Fruit & flowers.

As long as you are seeing improvement, I'll third the recommendation to continue with the PI or chlorhexidine (as long as you are not allergic - even a whiff of the blue stuff gives me massive asthma). Though it does look dry, and Too-Dry-Too-Deep can be problematic. Ask the vet if silvadene cream is still a thing.

A dab of Neosporin or Terromycin ointment is fine too as a moisture-holding dressing.

Thanks for helping this beauty!
 

Christyk

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Thanks for the help. I think I'll start doing some neosporin a few times a week along with the PI. I'll also see if I can find some chlorhexidine.
Because of the open wounds she/he can't be put in substrate. I'm using sheets.
By quickly I was thinking 1 year not 2. Lol.
She/he is a beautiful baby.
 

ZenHerper

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I would do the Neosporin every day...you don't want to incubate something resistant. Just a thin film will go a long way.

You can wet the sheets to get some humidity in the air.
 

Christyk

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I would do the Neosporin every day...you don't want to incubate something resistant. Just a thin film will go a long way.

You can wet the sheets to get some humidity in the air.
Why didn't I think of wetting sheets? Duh.
I'll start the neosporin daily's well as the PI soak
Feeding has been tricky. He doesnt want to eat. I have minnows, worms, pinky mice, crickets, mealworms because we have other turtles, frogs, lizards and such. I use fresh foods daily with flowers, mazuri, and some fruits.
About 3 hours total of sunshine weekly. Temps are good and he is in a spare bedroom so plenty of quiet.
I truly thank everyone for the responses. I'll update ina few months as to progress.
 

wanderlust

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Update on the rescue. He is doing well. The wounds are healing beautifully. After today's soak some of the scabing came off to reveal nice new skin. At this rate he can have his epoxy shell and be back in the wild next spring!

Fantastic!
 

jeff kushner

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Great news! I was going to offer Physan20 as an antifungal agent I've used with success....as a topical but I would have used Neosporin on his injury too.....

and now you have a happy roomie for the winter!


jeff
 

ComeNT8kIt

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What a trooper. Good ole humans always messing up natures groove. #SorryWeSuckTurt

But on a serious note Nature Zone makes a turtle anti fungal bath that would be decent I believe. It’s like $8.00. I believe Exo Terra offers one as well. Side note: I am not a doctor or an expert. Love and respect our animals and I watched a lot of crocodile hunter growing that’s about it. so take my advise with minimal seriousness but it may be something to look into
 

Maggie3fan

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It looks like a fungus to me. Vet did not do any cultures. I'm just wanting to get it all healed so we can get him/her back to the wild.
You are waaayyy passed being able to release that turtle. He's been handled, fed and otherwise cared for, and that's a serious injury. By the time it has healed and you are ready to release it, it won't be able to be released, and in my opinion, as someone who has operated a small special needs turtle and tortoise rescue for a number of years, that turtle cannot (or should not) be released now. It will be over a year before that wound has healed completely and by then he will be dependant on you for everything, and possibly picked up disease or something else by then. I would rinse that wound several times a day with Clorhexidine, mixed 20 to 1 with water. I would also keep an antibacterial cream over the wound, or at the least, Vaseline, especially if he is outside. It will keep the flies off. If he's inside, just rinse with that weak Clorhexidine solution.
I am NOT a Dr., but I do have years of experience in chelonia rescue. Please keep us posted
 

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