Injured baby snapper

[Tim Carlisle]

I found this snapping turtle on the sidewalk outside of my office. It appears that it might have been carried by a bird, then dropped. I picked it up and placed it in a shallow dish of water. It is moving around and breathing regularly. There is a deep injury to its back left leg that concerns me. Is this treatable? If so, what would you suggest?

 

[Turtle girl 98]

I found this snapping turtle on the sidewalk outside of my office. It appears that it might have been carried by a bird, then dropped. I picked it up and placed it in a shallow dish of water. It is moving around and breathing regularly. There is a deep injury to its back left leg that concerns me. Is this treatable? If so, what would you suggest?

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Just keep soaking him and clean up the cut and it should heal up good. He looks just like my turtle Elvis lol. Glad you stopped and grabbed him poor little guy

 

[Turtle girl 98]

Just keep soaking him and clean up the cut and it should heal up good. He looks just like my turtle Elvis lol. Glad you stopped and grabbed him poor little guy

Oof is that one spot the wound? Poor little guy. I'd clean him up and watch him for awhile if you possibly can and make sure he makes a good recovery. I will Google to see if there is anything you can put on the wound to help it heal without infection

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Oof is that one spot the wound? Poor little guy. I'd clean him up and watch him for awhile if you possibly can and make sure he makes a good recovery. I will Google to see if there is anything you can put on the wound to help it heal without infection

Best I can describe it - it looks like part of his intestine.

 

[Turtle girl 98]

Best I can describe it - it looks like part of his intestine.

Oh my goodness.. I had just zoomed in on the picture to look. Yes it does look like part of his intestines.. the only thing I can think of is try to keep it clean and I'll Google to try to find some way to help you. Poor little guy. That was very good of you to grab him to try to help him.

 

[JLMDVM]

Best I can describe it - it looks like part of his intestine.

I’m no turtle vet, but I suspect the same. Think this guy needs a vet.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

I’m no turtle vet, but I suspect the same. Think this guy needs a vet.

At this point - it needs a prayer more than a vet.

 

[Turtle girl 98]

Oh my goodness.. I had just zoomed in on the picture to look. Yes it does look like part of his intestines.. the only thing I can think of is try to keep it clean and I'll Google to try to find some way to help you. Poor little guy. That was very good of you to grab him to try to help him.

I googled and I saw people using apoxy for fixing cracks on shells. Nothing for wounds. This is gonna sound stupid but I have notta clue besides maybe try to somehow gently try to push it back in unless it seems to hurt him and stick a bandaid over the wound for the time being so it doesn't get dirty and infected, until someone here can help more or if you can afford a vet trip for him.

 

[Turtle girl 98]

At this point - it needs a prayer more than a vet.

I agree. He needs a prayer.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Well at this point his hind claws have torn away part of the extrusion. For such a deep injury, this certainly is an active little guy.

 

[Turtle girl 98]

Well at this point his hind claws have torn away part of the extrusion. For such a deep injury, this certainly is an active little guy.

That's a good sign that he is active. I just read on Google to try to clean the wound with peroxide or betadine to prevent infection and cover it up somehow so he can't get to it to hurt himself more.. I guess let's just have hope and watch him. I want to say thank you again for trying to help that little guy. You're a good person in my book.

 

[Moozillion]

Oh, gosh: that's not good.
Reptiles who are mortally injured can take a long time to die.
Maybe see if a moderator will move this over to the "Health" section where it might get additional input? @YvonneG

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Oh, gosh: that's not good.
Reptiles who are mortally injured can take a long time to die.
Maybe see if a moderator will move this over to the "Health" section where it might get additional input? @YvonneG

I considered posting there, but thought it might be a miscat since the title is specifically "tortoise health".

I brought it home from work and plan to rinse it down with peroxide, then place him in some distilled water. It's surprisingly still very active. I've treated many tortoise/turtle injuries in the past, but never on one so tiny. There's not even enough room to adhere the wound properly. I'm goind to dice up some reptimin and see if it will eat any. More to follow.....

 

[Moozillion]

I considered posting there, but thought it might be a miscat since the title is specifically "tortoise health".

I brought it home from work and plan to rinse it down with peroxide, then place him in some distilled water. It's surprisingly still very active. I've treated many tortoise/turtle injuries in the past, but never on one so tiny. There's not even enough room to adhere the wound properly. I'm goind to dice up some reptimin and see if it will eat any. More to follow.....

Sounds like you've had experience treating turtle injuries before!
And although the health section says "Tortoise Health," all turtles are automatically included as well- no exclusions here! i posted a long thread there about my Eastern Mud Turtle and her health journey.

 

[Blackdog1714]

If you are in VA please contact a rehabber ASAP due to the laws. Wish you the best with the little fella

 

[Turtle girl 98]

How is the little guy?

 

[Yvonne G]

Are you talking about the light colored spot on the plastron? This is a newly hatched turtle and that spot is the remnants of where he was attached to the yolk. It is nothing to worry about.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Are you talking about the light colored spot on the plastron? This is a newly hatched turtle and that spot is the remnants of where he was attached to the yolk. It is nothing to worry about.

Is that where the egg sac is on a snapper? I figured it would be located in the center of the plastron? If you're correct, that will be a HUGE relief!

 

[Turtle girl 98]

Is that where the egg sac is on a snapper? I figured it would be located in the center of the plastron? If you're correct, that will be a HUGE relief!

Can you take a picture of the wound on his side? I think we have gotten confused about where the wound is

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Can you take a picture of the wound on his side? I think we have gotten confused about where the wound is

I can when I get home, but the "wound" is located in the pit of his rear leg. It was still alive and kicking when I left for work this morning.