A tortoise's shell is vitally important to its health.
Tortoises rely on their shells for safety and a cracked shell can be a life threatening condition if infection sets in. Minor cracks can frequently be repaired at home, provided the wound is kept meticulously clean. More severe wounds require the care of a veterinarian to prevent infection and organ damage. This guide is intended to help tortoise owners treat minor wounds and is not a substitute for veterinary care in the case of a serious injury.
Instructions
1. Rinse the chip with lukewarm water.
This will clear any debris and allow you to get a good look at the wound. If you cannot see blood, puss, or organs, it is likely a minor chip that can be treated at home. Conversely, if you do see any fluids or internal structures, go to the vet immediately. This wound requires the care of a veterinarian. Do not attempt to repair a severe wound yourself.
2. Clean the wound with a triple antibiotic ointment.
These are found at the drug store. Wash your hands both before and after cleaning the wound. You will need to reapply antibiotic ointment twice a day until the shell has begun to grow back.
3. Tape the wound shut.
Basic clear tape works just fine for this purpose because it keeps debris out but still allows the wound to seep if it needs to. This prevents debris from getting into the wound and keeps the antibiotic ointment on the site of injury. Change the tape daily for the first week. After a week, you should no longer use tape on the wound.
4. Dust your tortoise's food with calcium every day.
Calcium keeps the shell strong and can speed up the healing process.
5. Provide your tortoise with at least one hour of sunlight each day.
Tortoises cannot metabolize calcium without Vitamin D3, which comes from sunlight. Tortoises can also absorb other vitamins from sunlight that may speed up the healing process.
6. Keep your tortoise's water and enclosure meticulously clean.
Feces should be promptly removed to prevent the wound from getting dirty and infected. Your tortoise should not soak in water for the first week after the injury.
