This Am I found a juvenile Box Turtle (about 2" x 1 1/2"). It has been chewed on by some thing. The edges of its shell are nicked, and on the underside the area around the (armpit ?) of the right front leg has lots of cracks.
I cleaned it with Dermachlor rinse and a Q-Tip. It is in a small, clean cat litter pan with torn up paper towel for bedding. There is a heating pad on low under half the pan. It is able to crawl and use all legs.
What else should I do?
Look for a wildlife rehabilitator in your area. They will either tell you what to do, or take it and care for it themselves. And, make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after handling the turtle because they can carry salmonella.
Thanks Louise, the rehab in the area does birds and small mammals, no reptiles. Good reminder about washing hands.
Google turtle shell repair. I think you can use items found at home depot…maybe something like acrylic/super glue. But check first.
I believe NC State vet school has a turtle rescue program. They might be able to give you some ideas…or maybe you have a vet school closer?
Nothing to add - just awwwww, poor little thing, nice you.
I would ask my vet for advice. Even though they may not handle exotics they may know enough to help or know who can. You local animal control or humane society may also have contact info for a wildlife rehabber.
I see your location says Gulf Coast. Not sure where exactly along the coast you are, but I work at a wonderful animal sanctuary in Central FL that does wildlife rehab. We do take turtles, or I could possibly put you in contact with somewhere close to you.
Turtles usually do pretty well with minor shell damage… unless they get infected, then it can be very hard to treat.
Thank you all so much for caring about this little guy. It’s hard to see something that little, know it has 60+ years ahead of it, and not try to help.
A local pet store put me in touch with a ‘Hobby Herpetologist’. He was very helpful. I am to clean injured spots with Betadine on a Q-tip after allowing the turtle to soak in very shallow tepid water for 10-15 min. 2 times a day. I have small meal worm for it, and various fruit and veg. I should be able to release it in 7-10 days. sooner if it does not eat.
He thinks it was damaged by a rat.
If anyone knows a surefire way to get this one to eat, I would love to hear it!
[QUOTE=csaper58;8167099]
Thank you all so much for caring about this little guy. It’s hard to see something that little, know it has 60+ years ahead of it, and not try to help.
A local pet store put me in touch with a ‘Hobby Herpetologist’. He was very helpful. I am to clean injured spots with Betadine on a Q-tip after allowing the turtle to soak in very shallow tepid water for 10-15 min. 2 times a day. I have small meal worm for it, and various fruit and veg. I should be able to release it in 7-10 days. sooner if it does not eat.
He thinks it was damaged by a rat.
If anyone knows a surefire way to get this one to eat, I would love to hear it![/QUOTE]
Maybe try offering it blooms? The box turtles used to walk down all of my tomato plants to get at the blooms.
I think it’s just trying to find something that the turtle actually wants. I had a pond slider at one time and while he ate the turtle food, he would gulp down shrimp like crazy, so any meds, dewormer, etc. went into shrimp.
Thanks RTR will try blossoms.
I was fussing this morning on an aide shift about a mysterious something that raided my strawberry bed last night, and the client’s #1 guess was a turtle. He said they love strawberries.
[QUOTE=dressagetraks;8167334]
I was fussing this morning on an aide shift about a mysterious something that raided my strawberry bed last night, and the client’s #1 guess was a turtle. He said they love strawberries.[/QUOTE]
Just going to suggest strawberries! Turtles love them.
Thanks again, bananas, strawberries, tomatoes, hamburger, all know on the menu.
And Thanks to the CoTHer who PMed me. I tried to answer, but the screen froze up again.
Don’t be horrified if it takes him a while to eat though. I’ve had the best luck with fresh fruit and bloodworms for picky eaters. Hope the little dude is doing ok, have a soft spot for turts 
I love box turtles. We have a big, mature female who comes into the pasture every year at this time to look for soft spots to lay her eggs. I saw her again yesterday, and was so happy!
Thanks for helping the baby. I too have heard that they like strawberries. Organic would be best, wouldn’t you think?
I’m not 100% sure about Gulf Coast boxies, but Eastern Boxie babies are going to prefer live food. Something that moves around a good bit…small earthworms, waxworms, that type of thing. Also, be sure to release it where you found it; they are lost if not in their “own” territory and will not do well. Good luck!
My Swiss Chard has become infested with small caterpillars, so I have been feeding some of those, along with small snails, meal worms, greens, and fruit. He’s still hanging in there, and has pooped twice. Thanks for rooting for the little guy!
You may not have him long enough to make this investment, but the sure-fire way I know of to get a reptile to eat is to offer PRetty Pets pet food. Unfortunately they have a pretty small distribution, so can be hard to find. On the extremly rare chance you have a pet store nearby that carries it, it might be worth getting a small package.
http://www.prettybird.com/reptiles.htm
If that’s not an option and you’re really desperate that he’s not eating enough, this is purely a guess, but that pretty pets stuff always smelled to me like fruit loops. So I think I would try getting some fruit loops and crushing a few to make a powder to sprinkle on what you’re giving, for the aromatic appeal.
Also, I assume you’ve heard this by now, but they are likely to be very shy about eating. Like if you stand over the cage and keep watching he’s likely to stay balled up. Watch from a distance.
Good luck!
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