I just adopted a WC Female Home's Hingeback. She very obviously was chewed on by something in Africa. She has a small puncture or two that has long healed over on her shell, but I am more concerned about the front of her shell. Whatever went after her focused its attention at the part of the shell above her head. Most of the scutes in the front are shorter than they should be and the outer layer of her shell is a little peeled back from the edge (though no longer looks to be peeling). I believe that the bone of her shell is exposed on the front edge and a little on the top edge. However, the damage looks to be rather old and very well scarred. I haven't had her long enough (1 day) to determine whether she is acting 100% ok, but she is quite active and has drank/soaked herself voluntarily. The parts of her shell that weren't chewed (like 95% of it) is very healthy looking in terms of color, smoothness, etc. Also, no damage anywhere near the hinge. But on to the titular question...
What do I do to help the shell? She's going to get frequent betadine baths this week, but is there more to do? (She'll only get betadine baths 2-3 times a year after this week. And the baths constitute her sitting in warm water while I use a toothbrush dipped in betadine to scrub her shell.) Should I put a topical like neosporin on it? How about something like nuskin to cover it? Maybe that nail nutrient stuff you brush on to help heal human fingernails (I've heard the material is very similar to tortoise shell)?
Right now the only courses of action I am taking for the shell are betadine and calcium supplements, but I'd like to do more if I can before she gets to the vet (don't want to take her till she poos). Advice would be greatly appreciated. Pics of damage will be posted when I get to my camera in a couple hours.
What do I do to help the shell? She's going to get frequent betadine baths this week, but is there more to do? (She'll only get betadine baths 2-3 times a year after this week. And the baths constitute her sitting in warm water while I use a toothbrush dipped in betadine to scrub her shell.) Should I put a topical like neosporin on it? How about something like nuskin to cover it? Maybe that nail nutrient stuff you brush on to help heal human fingernails (I've heard the material is very similar to tortoise shell)?
Right now the only courses of action I am taking for the shell are betadine and calcium supplements, but I'd like to do more if I can before she gets to the vet (don't want to take her till she poos). Advice would be greatly appreciated. Pics of damage will be posted when I get to my camera in a couple hours.