Treating Large Shell Defects and Exposed Viscera: An Excellent Prognosis for Turtles

Chris Bogard

doi:10.53607/wrb.v26.138

Treating Large Shell Defects and Exposed Viscera: An Excellent Prognosis for Turtles

Authors

Chris Bogard Turtle Hospital of New England/Bonner Turtle Bank

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v26.138

Abstract

Injured turtles typically present with moderate to severely comminuted (many pieces, crushed) shell fractures requiring management of broken pieces. Injured turtles atypically present with large shell fragments missing thereby exposing the body cavity and visceral organs. Large defects accompanied by deep soft tissue trauma can be and have been mistakenly identified as cause for euthanasia. Remarkably, the prognosis is very good for this type of trauma if treated properly.

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Author Biography

Chris Bogard, Turtle Hospital of New England/Bonner Turtle Bank

Chris Bogard holds a BS in Environmental Studies and has volunteered and was employed at the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick, Maine working with birds, mammals, and reptiles. She interned under the late Dr. Barbara Bonner at the Turtle Hospital of New England/Bonner Turtle Bank and accepted a position in 2001 as Senior Treatment Coordinator. She also rehabilitates native turtle species at her home facility in New Hampshire.

References

Barten, S. L. 1996. Bites from Prey. P. 355 in Reptile Medicine and Surgery (D. R. Mader, ed.). W. B. Saunders Company: Philadelphia, PA.

Donoghue, S., and J. Langenberg. 1996. Nutrition. Pp. 151–153 in Reptile Medicine and Surgery (D. R. Mader, ed.). W. B. Saunders Company: Philadelphia, PA.

Frye, F. L. 1991. Biomedical and Surgical Aspects of Captive Reptile Husbandry, 2nd edition, volume I. P 66. Krieger Publishing Company: Malabar, FL.

Highfield, A. C. 2002. Feeding Red Eared Sliders, Painted Turtles and Similar Aquatic Species. Available from: <http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/aquaticdiet.htm>.

McArthur, S., and M. Barrows. 2004. Nutrition. P. 80 in Medicine and Surgery of Tortoises and Turtles (S. McArthur, R. Wilkinson, and J. Mayer, eds.). Blackwell Publishing: Ames, IA.

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Published

2008-06-30

How to Cite

Bogard, C. (2008). Treating Large Shell Defects and Exposed Viscera: An Excellent Prognosis for Turtles. Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin, 26(1), 21–24. https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v26.138

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Issue

Vol. 26 No. 1 (2008)

Section

Original Articles

License

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