My turtle bit another's tail. Is a minor injury serious? What to do?

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.

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.

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

It isn't normal. If you can see bone, have Dash seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. If no bone is exposed, keep the site clean and dry. You can use a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution to gently clean it daily. Use plain paper, tile or slate on the cage bottom to prevent substrate particles from contaminating the wound. If he continues to bite ornchew at his tail, have him seen by your veterinarian.

Since the new scute is starting to grow and since the wound is healing well you are doing everything right. As long as there is no infection reddening, pus visible, your turtle should be fine. You may not have to rinse the wound anymore provided there is no discharge and as long as it is healing. Keep up the good work.

Without seeing the injury it's difficult to know how urgently this needs veterinary attention, but it's always best to have a veterinarian evaluate the injury to ensure adequate healing and prevention of infection. For now, it's important to keep the wound clean. Flush the wound with clean water for five minutes twice a day. This may take two people: One to hold the flipper out, while the other flushes the wound with a syringe or other device that good pressure can be applied. It's also very important to ensure the water in the turtle's tank is kept extra clean while the wound is healing. Your vet will be able to offer more advice when they see the injury. I hope that helps and Lebron gets better soon.

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.