Found yellow-bellied slider in rough shape today, need help

[Pond_Lilly]

Hello everyone,

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I have found a yellow-bellied slider today and he is in a very rough shape. He has wounds and bites on his hind leg, in fact vet said that someone has been chewing on it. He was covered in maggots and in general looked bad. But he still has some life left in him.

My problem is, I cannot find 236 USD today and will need some time to get. I created GoFundMe campaign and asking for help. Here is imgur link with photos and vet bills pics. If anyone can help me, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/oj33bg
Imgur album: http://imgur.com/a/RJBu7

 

[juli11]

So unfortunately I don't really understand your post. We have to wait until the American come. But what I can say is that your turtle isn't trachemys scripta scripta. It is a kind of chrysemys picta. For me it's chrysemys picta dorsalis but not 100% sure it could also be a hybrid.

 

[tortdad]

So unfortunately I don't really understand your post. We have to wait until the American come. But what I can say is that your turtle isn't trachemys scripta scripta. It is a kind of chrysemys picta. For me it's chrysemys picta dorsalis but not 100% sure it could also be a hybrid.

They want money donated to pay for the vet bill. 'Go fund me' is a website you can set up for people to donate to your cause.

 

[HLogic]

So unfortunately I don't really understand your post. We have to wait until the American come. But what I can say is that your turtle isn't trachemys scripta scripta. It is a kind of chrysemys picta. For me it's chrysemys picta dorsalis but not 100% sure it could also be a hybrid.

It looks like an elderly Painted Turtle to me, as well. Though I don't think they inhabit your locale.

 

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Its a Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)

 

[Pond_Lilly]

Yes, it is somewhat rare and lesser-known Florida's chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia chrysea). I just got back from the vet, this time we saw a Avian/Reptile specialist at the same emergency hospital. He told me that Pirate's foot has to be amputated, the surgery is 1400 USD, and I only raised 237 USD. I scheduled surgery for Tuesday, going to do it, but will go broke over it, it is a disaster. Here is a blog if anyone wants to read it: https://piratetheturtle.wordpress.com/

On a side note, this turtle is absolutely amazing. I have cherry-heads, RES, but this little dude has the most amazing eyes, he like looks at you and you can see real intelligence there (not to say that my cherries and RES are dumb, but they are relaxed and content), but Pirate is monitoring situation all the time.

 

[Pond_Lilly]

He is just so handsome, and that snake-like neck is absolutely amazing.

 

[leigti]

Good luck with the go fund me campaign. Maybe the vet will take payments. Are there any other options besides surgery?

 

[Pond_Lilly]

Unfortunately no. If left as is, the infection will progress, despite antibiotics, it is a dead leg (see pics in my blog, a bit graphic). Vet said the necrotic tissue could fall off, leaving bones exposed (geez, what a horror!). There is really no way around it, unless I want to euthanize him, which is out of the question. Other vets actually do not even want to take him, too complicated, I tried another cheaper reptile hospital (listed here btw), they were rude and condescending.

He is not eating, probably in pain (although I give him meds for that). I offered guppies, bladder snails, strawberry, redworms and wax worms. Only wax worms evoked some interest and an attempt to feed, but he did not get it from first try and did not try again. He drank some water though. I will keep offering and will try small crawfish too, supposed to be their favorite. A long road ahead for Pirate, but I believe he can make it.

 

[Pond_Lilly]

Pirate is back home from the hospital! The surgery went very well, and she (Pirate is a girl!) is recovering at home. There is one issue of concern remains, apart from healing of the amputation site. Doc said that Pirate has several areas with necrotic tissues on her leg, on her tail and in some other random places, like few places on forelimbs, etc. It is a mystery what is going on there, because if it was bad leg related, why it is all over the place, even on her forelimbs? I suspect it might be a result of frost bite (we had freeze here in Tampa few weeks before I found Pirate), or it could be something else. Doc said it could be a concern, because it is impossible to tell how deep these tissues are affected. She said I should expect sloughing skin all over Pirate. Anyone has any experience with something like that?

Here is a recent blog with some pics (some are graphic!): https://piratetheturtle.wordpress.com/2015/03/18/look-who-is-home/

 

[ETTB1314]

Aw Pirate is such a cutie! Thank you so much for saving Pirate, prays she better soon and stay strong! (Y)

 

[Pond_Lilly]

Thank you! Pirate is getting stronger every day, and she is eating too. I hope her vet will be pleased with her progress.