My turtle's front flipper is injured. What should I do first?

Thanks for reaching out about Charlie and including a photo. Sorry for the situation. A veterinary visit is a must. Open wounds need to be cleaned and closed. Antibiotics and analgesics are recommended. Concerns would be he was chewed on by something, so outdoor time should be limited to daytime only. No access to dirt to decrease potential of further infection. Clean now by soaking in warm tap water. See a veterinarian, ASAP. Good luck.

Separate them if you can to allow healing. Keep the water as clean as possible to prevent infection. Clean the area daily with a diluted betadine or chlorhexidine solution then allow for a 1-2 hour dry dock (out of the water) period. If the wound doesn't heal or if Sammy becomes lethargic or stops eating, then have your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet perform an exam and administer treatment as indicated.

Nubbins should be examined by an experienced herp veterinarian. Any open wounds are at risk of infection. They wounds should be properly cleaned and antibiotics administered if indicated. Dry docking him is the right thing to do until the wounds heal. He will need to be placed in water for about an hour a day to eat, rehydrate and defecate. Follow the link for a care sheet: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Thanks for reaching out about Snappy and including a photo. Aquatic turtles can be very territorial. Very good water quality is important to healing and decrease to possibility of contamination. A well rounded diet is important to stimulate the immune system and provide nutrients for healing. Antibiotics in the water is not an effective way to treat these wounds, so if appears to be getting worse or not healing, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide injectable antibiotics. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Yurtle and including a photo. Clean the foot with a gently soap and topically apply a broad spectrum antibiotic such as Neosporin. Keep dry for a few days and removed any substrate that can attach to the wound, replaced with paper towels. If lesion progresses, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

He should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If your vet is unavailable, have him seen at the nearest veterinary ER. The wounds should be assessed and treated as indicated. Antibiotics and pain management will likely be indicated. Secure the tank to prevent incursions by predators or scavengers.

Thanks for reaching out about Steve and including photos. These lesions appear similar to ones seen when chewed on by a dog or raccoon. A veterinary visit is a necessity to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Systemic antibiotics are needed, probably injections. After the wound is deemed clean, an acrylic patch needs to be placed to prevent future infections. Hydrogen peroxide is okay to use initially but will indiscriminately kills cells, including immune cells and new skin cells. Keep on clean paper towels or other substate to prevent further contamination. The environmental temperature should reach 90+F during the day to stimulate the immune system. Call your local veterinarian. Good luck.