Cleaning wounds
- Remove
as much dirt as possible by spraying it with
warm water. Use Betadine®, Betadine Scrub ®, baby
shampoo or similar cleaners onto the wet tortoise and scrub gently, but
keep away from the eyes (one benefit of baby shampoo is that it is
safer near the eyes.) Use an old, soft-bristled toothbrush on soft
tissues and a stiffer brush (like a fingernail brush) on the
shell.
- Rinse with warm, clean water. Re-scrub as needed.
- If
the limbs are tightly retracted, scrub what you
can, then soak the tortoise in a pool of Betadine and water at a ratio
of 1:10 to 1:20 (or a ‘tea color’) for a few minutes.
- Dry the tortoise.
- Use
a swab or sponge, apply Betadine to the affected
area and all around it. Use full strength for possible fungal
infections or ‘dirty wounds’, and diluted 1:10 with water for general
purpose. Scrub for about a minute, then let dry.
- Do not use
Betadine-like products more than a few
days.
Wrapping injuries
This
technique
minimizes skin/shell damage and still offers protection.
- Start by cleaning the injured area the best you can.
(See the ‘Cleaning Wounds’ section)
- Place clean gauze over the
wound or apply splints,
etc..
- Use ‘paper first-aid tape’ first to protect the
tortoise’s skin.
- If needed, use a stronger tape (like waterproof
first-aid tape, or electrical tape) on top of the paper tape for
strength and protection.
- Always make sure that the tape is not
too tight,
especially if it goes around a limb.
Alternatively, you can use gauze wrap or self-cohesive wrap instead of
tape. Self-cohesive wrap is a little stretchy but does not stick to
skin- just to itself. An inexpensive version is called 3M
VetWrap 2;) (Amazon.com or farm supply stores.)
Burns
Transport
ASAP
if the burn interferes with breathing, affects the face, covers an
entire limb or more than one limb, affects the cloaca, goes through the
skin, or if the tortoise is very young.
- Cool the burn
area with cool, not cold water.
- Treat the injury as a ‘Minor
Wound’, but do not bandage unless the skin is damaged.
- Treat
for shock, then
use ‘Nursing Care’.
Eye injuries
- Most eye injuries that
need treatment should be seen by a vet.
- Small injuries can
usually be treated with a rinse of sterile water/eye wash and a drop of
ophthalmological antibiotic ointment.
- Sunken-looking or dull
eyes may be a sign of dehydration.
Prolapse (Organ protruding from the cloaca)
- If
the organ retracts on its own, everything is probably OK. Monitor the
animal.
- If it does not self-retract soon, clean it with sterile
water, treat as a wound, treat for shock, and transport
ASAP.
Abscess
Usually
hard, raised wound-like lump. Can cover bacterial infections, tumors,
etc. most often following an injury. Should be removed surgically by a
vet
who will also determine and treat the underlying cause.
Dysecdysis (unshed
scales):
Appears as a thickened or rough patch of
skin, often on the head of the
tortoise. Often due to dehydration.
Tortoise should be treated to
correct dehydration, and soaked. The dry patch should be moistened and
lotion or ointment applied until it loosens and sloughs off. If it does
not, or if the skin under it is damaged, see a vet.
Resources
Edited 8-15-2012 (C) Mark Adkins
|
. Staywell Co. 2008. ISBN 1584804017.