paint turtle shell damage

Question
I recently ran over a paint turtle with a lawn mower. The turtle is alive but the shell is badly damaged. The damaged area is behind the front legs across the top and down one side of the shell. I have cleaned the wound with water and left it alone. Maggots have moved in. Do I leave it alone to heal or do I get something to get ride of the maggots and seal the wound? I have given the turtle a water dish and some raw hamburg.Nothing else except keeping away from predators.

Answer
Fred,

Oh, man.  Your best bet is to get the turtle to a wildlife rescue ASAP.  I'm not a vet and have never treated a shell wound.  On one hand, the maggots get rid of the dead flesh.  On the other hand, I know the shell is usually patched with something.  I don't know if you need to get rid of the maggots and I have no idea what to do to prepare the shell for patching.

You'll need to look up the number of a wildlife rescue and ask them what to do until you can get the turtle to somebody.  The turtle will need a round of antibiotics, though, I'm pretty sure about that.

Do take the food out.  The turtle won't want it for awhile and it could be making the turtle feel nauseated.  

My email is withy@hotmail.com if you have any more questions.  I'm going to deactivate my Allexperts account today.

Oh and keep the shell dry, but offer the turtle drinks of water with a shallow measuring cup or something twice a day.