Advice Please! Surgery or Not!?

Terri123

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So, I have an approximate 18-year old male 3-toed box turtle, About 5 days ago, he had a freak accident, and he seriously injured the two outside toes on his right front "paw"; I took him to the vet, and she did an X-ray and the outside toe-bone is fractured off (it's at a very bad angle, but is still "hanging on" by ? ligaments) and the toe next to it is also has a fractured bone, although its' still in place.

The vet gave me pain meds, but Toby doesn't seem to need them, incredibly, his appetite is great, no sign of infection thank goodness, and he's still toddling around, trying to climb things (Im watching him extra carefully now).

I'm worried about putting him under, as the vet is very good but did tell me there are also risks with anesthetic, she wants to amputate both toes, they are not weight bearing, so he can still walk, etc.

I'm wondering about, instead, just letting nature take its course, if the end toe is completely dead, it will fall off on its own (unless there is any infection, and I can watch for this) and I'm hoping the other toe-bone can heal, given time and healthy nutrition, sunlight, etc.

Should I take him to the vet to have both toes amputated, or just continue to watch him closely, and allow nature to take its course with respect to the outside toe?

Thank you!
 

Yvonne G

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No one can tell you what to do. It's your decision. All I can say is I've taken in turtles that had much worse healed injuries than a couple broken toes. They are very resilient. And you don't think it bothers him. If you decide to not have the surgery, use the pain meds
 

Terri123

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Thank you- I appreciate your reply. I will continue to watch him closely and make a decision closer to the surgery date- I've only ever had Toby but my goodness, he is a tough little guy.
 

ColleenT

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When i got a turtle shipped to me with a dead leg and it fell off the bone, i had it amputated and She did fine with Anesth. She lived 2 years afterward, but there may have been some internal lingering infection that caused her to pass away. I probably WOULD do the surgery, but either way there are dangers.
 

Terri123

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Thanks Colleen, I appreciate your reply. I'm really undecided now, but your comments makes me feel better about the Anesth- I will continue to think on it and watch the little guy -
 

xBapes

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Thanks Colleen, I appreciate your reply. I'm really undecided now, but your comments makes me feel better about the Anesth- I will continue to think on it and watch the little guy -

I fee the same way. My 7 yr old chocolate lab just had an emergency gastrotomy because he had a medium sized tennis ball in his stomach. Some jerk off left a small tennis ball in our apartment complex even though the rules clearly state clean up after your pet both waste and toy wise. I can tell you I’ve also worked as a vet tech along side normal and exotic vets and we’ve never had an issue. Only you can make that decision but I would totally do it.
 

mark1

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I assume when you say "hanging on by ligaments" , it is partially severed ? if that is the case , personally i'd have it removed , it'll heal faster with less chance of an infection …some turtles , especially box turtles , are near impossible to treat properly without being sedated or anesthetized….. if you let "nature take it's course" i'd advise putting him on antibiotics rather than wait to see if he gets an infection ……….
 

CJones102

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If there aren't any lacerations, then there isn't any huge issue with infection. However, I would do it if it is an open wound. Just depends on what the injury looks like. Continue with pain meds either way even though he's still energetic. Broken bones are no fun! Good luck and let us know how it goes.
 

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