Snail Inquiry

Question
I have a 10 gallon freshwater tank with 4 snails and a Beta. My question is about the apple snail. When we came home last night the snail was on the floor. I still have no idea how that happened other than he crawled out and fell.  When I saw him I immediately put him back in the tank and waited to see if he would move. As we waited he did not move and was inside his shell. By morning, he had crawled along side the tank. But when I looked closely at him he had what looked like a cotton ball hanging from his shell. I stuck my finger in the tank and pulled the cotton like substance off of him thinking maybe he picked it up from off the carpet. He eventually crawled back down the tank. This is my concern. He seems to be very far outside his shell. He will just lay on his side and not move. His tentacles move but he just lays on his side as if he can't turn over. I went to check on him a couple of hours later and he was still on his side and it looked like the other snails were trying to flip him over. So, I helped with the fish net thinking I was helping out. When I went back over to the tank again I noticed the side of his shell broken and it looked like some of his insides are exposed. To describe remedially what I see it looks like he has two curls. (I am calling curls the part of the shell that is on one side and comes to a point)I am sorry I do not know what is it called. Is the snail dying? From the fall and being exposed out of the water for several hours on the carpet? I don't want to end his life but, I do not want him to suffer if he is slowly dying. I wish I could send a photo of what I see so you can see. He was so active. He would crawl to the top of the tank several times and jump. My daughter loved to watch him float so freely back down to the gravel and now she is in tears. She loves Bobby but I did explain to her that he might be dying. Is he?

Answer
Dear Nychelle,
I'm sorry to hear about Bobby the snail. Unfortunately I've never experienced any shell injuries with any of my snails. It's hard to know for certain what you should do.
I do know a aquarist who has repaired many damaged snail shells before. Here is her website-
"http:members.shaw.ca/the-guyz/snail_plaster_experiment.htm"

And if you'd like, please visit "Tropicalresources.net" and register as a member where you can easily post a picture of Bobby and I can then go and see it and along with the other knowledgeable members, determine what should be done for the poor snail.
Just remember to let me know when you post there and I will be certain to visit and help all I can.

I'm really sorry again that I couldn't have been of anymore help....

Only my very best wishes,
Karen~