Russian Tortoise Outer Shell Damage

[Gary Bolles]

About 6 months ago our neighbors dog gnawed on our Russian Tortoise and scrapped off some of its outer shell, he did not penetrate the shell just the outer skin. He spent the night in the vet hospital was released and given an antibiotic and a cream, he seems to be acting just fine but his shell does not seem to be coming back. What should I do to repair the area that was scrapped off?

 

[Jodie]

It will take years to heal completely, and will probably always be scarred. The keritan (spelling) grows under the dead bone and then the bone will fall off. Someone else will probably be able to explain it better.

 

[Yvonne G]

What has been gnawed off by the dog is gone for good. The white that's left is bone. New keratin grows UNDER that white part, and eventually the white will pop off (because the new growing underneath is growing bigger than the static bone) and you well see new keratin underneath. It's not as pristine-looking as the original keratin, but it will protect him just as well as the old stuff. So get used to seeing him as is, because it takes a very, very long time for this to happen.

 

[Yvonne G]

Oh, and - Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Good advice given.
Hello and welcome to the forum Gary and tortoise.