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Box turtle-shell chewed up by dogs. Please help!

22 16:05:08

Question

Box Turle
My boyfriend just rescued a box turtle from some dogs that thought it made a good chew toy. The front edge of the shell has been chewed up and the bottom of the shell was penetrated by the dogs' fangs. It is bleeding somewhat, and I wonder what I can do for it here at home to hopefully give it another shot at life. How do I clean it's wounds and stop the bleeding? How can I seal it's shell and keep the poor thing from getting any infection? I fully intend to keep the turtle as I don't see it being able to continue wild life in its current condition. Please help! My boyfriend will be bringing it home in a few hours and I'd like to be prepared if it's at all possible that this reaches you today. I'm defiantly at a loss. Thank you so much for any and all advise. Thank you-Rachelle

Answer
I'm sorry I did not see this earlier- I was not on any of my accounts yesterday.

As much as I know you do not want to hear this, it would probably have the best chances if let loose in its home range. There, it gets the food it wants, the microclimate it needs, it knows the good hiding places and understands the risks around it. It can find what it needs to find to heal.

In captivity, it will actually have greater risk of shock, stress, infection, and so forth. Unless you have access to an experienced rehabber or a good vet, home cares will be difficult at best.

Should you decide to keep it, your best source of help would be the keepers at http://www.turtleforum.com  They represent a wide range of experience and specialties, including rehabbing experience.

I wish I had better news for you!