Helpless Turtle

ThorArb · 05-04-2008, 12:15 PM

I went out back to go fishing right... well I look to my right and there's a huge turtle just sitting there! Now you'd think most wild turtles would flee when you got close. Well this one didnt. And the fact that it was just sitting there in 2 inch water was really weird. It looked dead, I thought it was! At least until I picked the darn thing up! Liked to scare the crap out of me when he started to hiss at me. So then Im thinking now something seriously is out of whack.

Well I looked closer and the poor guy cannot see out of his right eye and his jaw looks like he might of had a hook or something ripped through it. Either way.. he looks like he's in bad shape. I felt terrible for him, I really did.

We have a little goldfish pond out front and I put him in it for now. He sun bathes and swims around but it appears to me like he cant eat. Or at least he isnt able to close his mouth properly. He's a fighter though, thinks he's big and bad and whatnot. Everytime I get close he goes to hissin' at me.

He looks miserable though....

Anywho, I dont know what to do with him. I feel terrible because he's in such bad shape but what can I do for him really? So for right now he is just hanging out in my goldfish pond.

Im such a softie for all sorts of animals. Growing up my mom hated it because I was always bringing animals home, anything from a little lizard to deer and beyond.

BarnBum · 05-04-2008, 12:42 PM

What about fedding him lettuce or some form of soft cat (?) food. Call a local wildlife refuge in the morning and maybe they can help.

ThorArb · 05-04-2008, 12:46 PM

I sure as heck dont know what to do with him I know that much!

Think they'll do anything for it or what?

gingerfleguel · 05-04-2008, 01:03 PM

Try this link

http://www.turtlepuddle.org/health/turtlefood.html

joustinggirl · 05-04-2008, 01:17 PM

Try a wildlife rehaber. I have seen them do things that you would not expect them to be able to do with beaks and shells. Wiring them back together and using apoxy to fix very large holes. I work with a rehaber that specializes in turtles.

tallyho · 05-04-2008, 02:23 PM

how about the reptile house at the closest zoo?......at least they are open on sundays...other places may not be accessible on sunday
good luck.........i am wondering, since it was in the water, and it is hissing at you, is it a snapping turtle? they often get caught by fishermen because they are attracted to the bait on the hook.........

**Range** · 05-04-2008, 07:21 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking snapping turtle. I also suggest a wildlife rehabber. If he's a big guy, he's an old guy and he definitely deserves a chance!

Cami-002 · 05-05-2008, 10:36 PM

Last year, I was in the backyard and heard tires squel (sp) looked out there didnt see anything.
About an hour later I was in the front yard and noticed a huge snapping turtle dead on the road, someone tried to swerve but ended up hitting it.
Well, I go over to move it out of the roadway and it raises its head...like do something...help me.
So I put it in our jacuzzi bathtub and looked in the phonebook for a wildlife rehab center...Well, it was 11pm on a Sunday and I was just going to leave a message and was shocked when someone answered the phone.
(Apparently someone is always on call and has the office line forwarded to them) I told the lady what I had and where I was.
The rehab center is about 2 hours from me, She asked if I would drive one hour, then she would drive the other and we would meet halfway.
My husband thought I was being so crazy driving late at night with this turtle! I told him "Obviously someone else is just as crazy as me because she is willing to drive one hour herself for this turtle.!" I never did call back to see if the turtle made it...but I did make a donation to the center.
Their level of caring was amazing.
Good Luck to your turtle, I hope you can find a rehab center just as awesome as the one I found.

Carri · 05-06-2008, 07:01 AM

Thorab, how is he doing?

aaliyah226 · 05-06-2008, 07:12 AM

If you call animal care and control they will tell you of where the wild life rescue center is nearest you which here in Palm Beach is at the same place. They may even come and pick it up for you. That is what we do when we find wildlife that comes in our yard and is hurt.

ThorArb · 05-06-2008, 09:42 AM

He was very lively.. considering I doubt he was even able to eat right now. He's a slider by the way. A decent sized one. I found someone who was able to help him thru my vet actually! One of the doctors does all sorts of animals and was able to take him. I feel so much better that she is going to be able to help him. What a relief.

libbytn · 05-06-2008, 09:50 AM

Thanks for taking the time to help. If possible I'll stop and help the turtles across the road. I'm sure it's better if they do it by themselves but I just don't want them to get hurt.

ThorArb · 05-06-2008, 10:27 AM

I do the same thing. I'll see turtles or even a small gator or two around here trying to cross over the road. I always have to try and get them off the roads. Id feel terrible if I just left it and then someone else hit it!

EquineLaw78 · 05-07-2008, 10:27 AM

I pried a tiny box turtle out of a Lab's mouth a few years ago and took him to the University of MO vet school. (I lived in Columbia at the time.) He had a hole in his shell from where the dog had chomped him, but his head and limbs were intact.

I don't know what happened to him, either, but I'm glad you were able to help that slider out!

ToveroMom · 05-07-2008, 10:28 AM

Be careful of the snappers though..they can take off a finger.

BabyMay · 05-07-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libbytn

Thanks for taking the time to help. If possible I'll stop and help the turtles across the road. I'm sure it's better if they do it by themselves but I just don't want them to get hurt.

I do the same thing. Last year there was a big old snapper sitting in the middle of the road. I made hubby stop. Good thing he was wearing his work boots. The turtle was not happy with our help, but I couldn't see him getting smashed by a car.

ThorArb · 05-07-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToveroMom

Be careful of the snappers though..they can take off a finger.

Dont I know it! They can be mean little suckers. Though I dont think he would have been able to do much, he couldnt even close his mouth from what I could see. Poor guy. I hope he gets better though.

farmergal · 05-09-2008, 04:13 AM

That was one lucky turtle.

I hope they can help it.

I had a baby slider some years ago that was hit by a car. My nephews brought it to me. I researched online for days and couldn't find any info. Then we had a vet out on a farm call and I asked if she knew anything that I could do. I was informed that she never got training on such critters.

The turtle had a cracked shell. I think I had it for a couple of weeks and I started to see it fading so I returned it to the wild so it could die free. I think it's sad that no one gives much thought to our reptilian friends.

We stopped once to rescue a snapping turtle that was crossing the road. Talk about smelly!

We all decided that if we saw another one we would move it off to the side of the road. Never again would we try to take it home first.

I got a call one day from my sister. It would appear that a snapping turtle wandered into the store she was working at.

Just when you thought it was safe to go shopping too!

The good samaritan that she is was the only one brave enough to send him on his merry way.

Carri · 05-09-2008, 07:01 AM

That is sad, farmergal. The vet I used to work with, who is still a good friend and boards her horses at the same place I do, is a wildlife re-habber in addition to her small animal practice. She has said that she had some classes in exotics, but not really enough, and she has supplemented with research on her own and trying to learn and network with other vets who do the same thing.

ThorArb · 05-09-2008, 10:04 AM

It is a shame. I have the hardest time finding anyone to look at my snakes. I have two ball pythons and lately my female, Kismere has been very lax and not eating. I thought of a million different reasons and have tried many different things. I would like a vet to see her... but there isn't one!

Yes, it is a shame that our little reptiles are looked over.

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05-04-2008, 12:15 PM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,507	Helpless Turtle I went out back to go fishing right... well I look to my right and there's a huge turtle just sitting there! Now you'd think most wild turtles would flee when you got close. Well this one didnt. And the fact that it was just sitting there in 2 inch water was really weird. It looked dead, I thought it was! At least until I picked the darn thing up! Liked to scare the crap out of me when he started to hiss at me. So then Im thinking now something seriously is out of whack. Well I looked closer and the poor guy cannot see out of his right eye and his jaw looks like he might of had a hook or something ripped through it. Either way.. he looks like he's in bad shape. I felt terrible for him, I really did. We have a little goldfish pond out front and I put him in it for now. He sun bathes and swims around but it appears to me like he cant eat. Or at least he isnt able to close his mouth properly. He's a fighter though, thinks he's big and bad and whatnot. Everytime I get close he goes to hissin' at me. He looks miserable though.... Anywho, I dont know what to do with him. I feel terrible because he's in such bad shape but what can I do for him really? So for right now he is just hanging out in my goldfish pond. Im such a softie for all sorts of animals. Growing up my mom hated it because I was always bringing animals home, anything from a little lizard to deer and beyond.

05-04-2008, 12:42 PM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,609	What about fedding him lettuce or some form of soft cat (?) food. Call a local wildlife refuge in the morning and maybe they can help.

05-04-2008, 12:46 PM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,507	I sure as heck dont know what to do with him I know that much! Think they'll do anything for it or what?

05-04-2008, 01:03 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,492	Try this link http://www.turtlepuddle.org/health/turtlefood.html

05-04-2008, 01:17 PM
joustinggirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boones Mill, Virgina Posts: 3,338	Try a wildlife rehaber. I have seen them do things that you would not expect them to be able to do with beaks and shells. Wiring them back together and using apoxy to fix very large holes. I work with a rehaber that specializes in turtles. __________________ Pink Tiger says \'Grrrrrr\'

05-04-2008, 02:23 PM
tallyho Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Trappe, PA Posts: 1,115	how about the reptile house at the closest zoo?......at least they are open on sundays...other places may not be accessible on sunday good luck.........i am wondering, since it was in the water, and it is hissing at you, is it a snapping turtle? they often get caught by fishermen because they are attracted to the bait on the hook.........

05-04-2008, 07:21 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,724	Yeah, I'm thinking snapping turtle. I also suggest a wildlife rehabber. If he's a big guy, he's an old guy and he definitely deserves a chance! __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

05-05-2008, 10:36 PM
Cami-002 Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 311	My Turtle Story Last year, I was in the backyard and heard tires squel (sp) looked out there didnt see anything. About an hour later I was in the front yard and noticed a huge snapping turtle dead on the road, someone tried to swerve but ended up hitting it. Well, I go over to move it out of the roadway and it raises its head...like do something...help me. So I put it in our jacuzzi bathtub and looked in the phonebook for a wildlife rehab center...Well, it was 11pm on a Sunday and I was just going to leave a message and was shocked when someone answered the phone. (Apparently someone is always on call and has the office line forwarded to them) I told the lady what I had and where I was. The rehab center is about 2 hours from me, She asked if I would drive one hour, then she would drive the other and we would meet halfway. My husband thought I was being so crazy driving late at night with this turtle! I told him "Obviously someone else is just as crazy as me because she is willing to drive one hour herself for this turtle.!" I never did call back to see if the turtle made it...but I did make a donation to the center. Their level of caring was amazing. Good Luck to your turtle, I hope you can find a rehab center just as awesome as the one I found. __________________ Never trust someone who doesn't have a love of animals.

05-06-2008, 07:01 AM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,086	Thorab, how is he doing? __________________

05-06-2008, 07:12 AM
aaliyah226 Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: loxahatchee fla Posts: 312	If you call animal care and control they will tell you of where the wild life rescue center is nearest you which here in Palm Beach is at the same place. They may even come and pick it up for you. That is what we do when we find wildlife that comes in our yard and is hurt.

05-06-2008, 09:42 AM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,507	He was very lively.. considering I doubt he was even able to eat right now. He's a slider by the way. A decent sized one. I found someone who was able to help him thru my vet actually! One of the doctors does all sorts of animals and was able to take him. I feel so much better that she is going to be able to help him. What a relief.

05-06-2008, 09:50 AM
libbytn Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Atoka, Tn Posts: 352	Thanks for taking the time to help. If possible I'll stop and help the turtles across the road. I'm sure it's better if they do it by themselves but I just don't want them to get hurt.

05-06-2008, 10:27 AM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,507	I do the same thing. I'll see turtles or even a small gator or two around here trying to cross over the road. I always have to try and get them off the roads. Id feel terrible if I just left it and then someone else hit it!

05-07-2008, 10:27 AM
EquineLaw78 Yearling Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 952	I pried a tiny box turtle out of a Lab's mouth a few years ago and took him to the University of MO vet school. (I lived in Columbia at the time.) He had a hole in his shell from where the dog had chomped him, but his head and limbs were intact. I don't know what happened to him, either, but I'm glad you were able to help that slider out!

05-07-2008, 10:28 AM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,299	Be careful of the snappers though..they can take off a finger. __________________ "In America,anyone can be President. That is one of the chances you take" Adlai Stevenson

05-09-2008, 04:13 AM
farmergal Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,807	That was one lucky turtle. I hope they can help it. I had a baby slider some years ago that was hit by a car. My nephews brought it to me. I researched online for days and couldn't find any info. Then we had a vet out on a farm call and I asked if she knew anything that I could do. I was informed that she never got training on such critters. The turtle had a cracked shell. I think I had it for a couple of weeks and I started to see it fading so I returned it to the wild so it could die free. I think it's sad that no one gives much thought to our reptilian friends. We stopped once to rescue a snapping turtle that was crossing the road. Talk about smelly! We all decided that if we saw another one we would move it off to the side of the road. Never again would we try to take it home first. I got a call one day from my sister. It would appear that a snapping turtle wandered into the store she was working at. Just when you thought it was safe to go shopping too! The good samaritan that she is was the only one brave enough to send him on his merry way. __________________ God Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change what I can And the wisdom to know the difference.

05-09-2008, 07:01 AM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,086	That is sad, farmergal. The vet I used to work with, who is still a good friend and boards her horses at the same place I do, is a wildlife re-habber in addition to her small animal practice. She has said that she had some classes in exotics, but not really enough, and she has supplemented with research on her own and trying to learn and network with other vets who do the same thing. __________________

05-09-2008, 10:04 AM
ThorArb Kid Safe Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Conyers, GA Posts: 5,507	It is a shame. I have the hardest time finding anyone to look at my snakes. I have two ball pythons and lately my female, Kismere has been very lax and not eating. I thought of a million different reasons and have tried many different things. I would like a vet to see her... but there isn't one! Yes, it is a shame that our little reptiles are looked over.