My Apple snail broke its shell and was attacked. Can it recover?

You can gently scrub the shell with a soft bristled toothbrush. If the brown coloring is due to algae growth, this may help. A minor crack should heal on ownit's own. Maintain pristine water quality to aid in recovery. You can use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Perform partial water changes as needed to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. A vacation feeder block can be placed in the tank to provide extra calcium for shell health.

Thanks for reaching out about Reevey. A cracked shell is always a concern for an aquatic animal as contaminated water from the tank can find its way into the crack and possible further internally. These should be examined by a veterinarian, for possible shell repair and most likely antibiotics. The best thing for shell healing is clean water and good nutrition. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out. Testing water quality for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate is the first step, correct any problems. There are few diseases transmitted between fish and invertebrates. If problems persist, a visit to a veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.

No, it is not OK, nor is it normal for the shell to break. This indicates there has been some severe trauma, or this turtle is not being kept under proper environmental conditions, nor receiving a proper diet. I hope you can have a qualified turtle specialist help you is providing the proper conditions so your turtle can thrive. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Consider placing him in a hospital tank. Maintain pristine water quality. That's the foundation for healing. Perform partial water changes every few days if necessary. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Add StressCoat or similar product to promote a slime coat. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess his condition. It will take time for him to heal. He may not fully heal, but it he can eat and swim, he should be fine.

It is possible this may be indicative infection or edema within the shell. An exam with a veterinarian experienced in treating exotics would be recommended. In the meantime, maintain adequate humidity and appropriate temperature to prevent further stress.

Thanks for reaching out and including a photo. For aquatic turtles, it is very important to correct and seal the fracture, as they live in water and will commonly become infected. For now keep out of water and allow to dry. A veterinary visit is recommended for tomorrow. Pain medications are needed as the exposed bone hurts. Antibiotics are also necessary. Good luck.