Broken shell of a reptile – Broken shell of a reptile

Shell damage

A turtle or tortoise’s shell acts like a second skin, protecting the inside of their body, so if your reptile’s shell becomes crushed or cracked, whether it’s on the top or bottom of the shell, it must be treated immediately as it leaves them vulnerable to bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections.

process

If your reptile’s shell is cracked, you should first treat the tissue and body cavity. This is to prevent bacteria and parasites from becoming trapped in the tissue. Once your reptile has stabilized, clean the wound again. However, it is important that you do not treat fractures yourself; treatment requires veterinary expertise.

Damaged shells can also be surgically repaired with single or multiple layers of sterile fiberglass cloth using a variety of adhesives such as epoxies, resins, cements, etc. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next layer.

If the shell has been broken or completely crushed by trauma, the ends and remaining pieces must be reassembled and put back into place before the broken area can be cemented together.

Generally, a fractured shell takes a long time to heal, sometimes more than a year.