Damaged Carapace

[carol hobson]

Hello I am new to this forum so please bear with me if I am in the wrong place. I have rescued a Hermann male who is around 10 years old but has had his carapace mauled by a dog so he has not got a lot at the back end and some is missing from the front. Is there anywhere in this country that can repair/make him a new one does anyone know. He is fine apart from that or should I just leave him as he is. Thank you. Carol

[Jan W]

Hello Carol welcome to the forum.

I do not have this wide experience but you will soon find a response from someone who I am sure will be able to advise. I'm still asking lots of questions about the basics.

It would probably be helpful if you could post some pictures. Poor little tort.

[Suze65]

Hi Carol, welcome to the forum. Is this injury recent or old and heeled up. If it's all heeled up and he is getting on with life quite happily then there's no reeson to try and repair the damage. Torts in the wild get damaged shells and live quite well . If it's not yet fully heeled then you do need to see a specialist vet. Infection from dog bites can be a problem. As Jan has said, a photo would be helpful, but you can't post a picture until you have done five posts.

[sandy]

Originally Posted by carol hobson

Hello I am new to this forum so please bear with me if I am in the wrong place. I have rescued a Hermann male who is around 10 years old but has had his carapace mauled by a dog so he has not got a lot at the back end and some is missing from the front. Is there anywhere in this country that can repair/make him a new one does anyone know. He is fine apart from that or should I just leave him as he is. Thank you. Carol

If you can post a picture, it will help us to help you.
If its an old injury and healed up, then all is well. The shell will recover but it can take years.
I have a female I accidentally stabbed with a garden fork ( I miss counted when digging over their enclosure) when she was a year old, she is now around ten years old. And you can only just see the mark where I stabbed her, and she is doing great. I never sold her, as I didnt know how she would progress. And I woulnd sell a tortoise I was not one hundred percent sure of.
It is now recommended that tortoise shells be treated for infection etc, buy to allow nature to take its course with the shell healing itself.

[carol hobson]

Thank you to the people that replied to my post. Romeo does look a sorry sight tho. That is why I thought of maybe getting him "fixed". As you say maybe it would be better to let nature heal but I am afraid I wont be around by then lol. My son will have taken over his care. Romeo has had this damage for a couple of years (I have had him for a year) together with his girlfriend Juliet and their baby Frankie who was born 22 September this year. I am waiting for my son to visit me so I can take all three to a specialist vet who is about an hour from me to get them checked over for worms etc etc so I will see what he says about Romeos carapace. Thank you once again for your comments they are greatly appreciated. Carol

[burnt toast]

I have a female Herman who was badly attacked by the family dog. She has terrible shell injuries with very little marginal scutes left (none at the back & not many at the front) what's left is all tatty & jagged.

Anyway she looks a sight but seems very happy. I don't think there is anything that can done.

It doesn't affect her in anyway. (Only thing I've thought of is lack of protection if something else attacked her) so I make sure she goes in at night! 😁

[CherryBrandy]

I have a little crow pecked one from his former owner - its like a silicone chip implant which is permanent. maybe Romeo could benefit from a new build but not sure he would know if its cosmetic. I am sure he is fine though and in very safe hands. Welcome Carol , be nice to have some pickies as we are pickie mad - well I am anyway, CB