All Turtles Message Board

SurferGrrl · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject: **URGENT** Injured Leg

One of my baby turtles got his back leg tangled in a plastic netting that was on one of my plants. He was VERY tangled but after much careful snipping and gently trying to remove it we freed him. He would not use his leg to walk so I kept him out of the pond inside with only very minimum water. Now he is holding his leg about half way out and it appears to be swollen.

First question: Can a turtle break it's leg?

Second Question: Can a turtle survive if his leg stays permanently injured and he loses use of it?

Third Question: What, if anything can I do to help him?
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SurferGrrl · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject:

UPDATE: I put him out in the pond today under observation and it seems like his leg is going to be okay. He was swimming just fine and using the injured leg and everything.
Any helpful advice would still be greatly appreciated!
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deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1227

IS the leg still swollen?

My mama lovebird did a similar thing. It took a magnifying glass to see there was still a tiny piece wrapped around her leg.

If there is no more swelling then he should be ok. Clean the area good with some betadine at least once preferably two or three times a day. Let the betadine dry before putting him back in the water. Sometimes there can be small cuts that can become infected a couple days of betadine should fix him right up. As for breaking it. Yes, they can break limbs. Is it common, not at all. More likley he just strained the muscles.
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