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!
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!