Help with near drowned turtle

[Jacquie]

I can't believe this happened but should have foreseen it. I went to feed my 9 month old sawshell turtle today and she had her bottom jaw stuck in the shell of one of the fresh water muscles I keep in the tank (yes, yes I should have realised something like that would happen). Anyway, I got her out thinking she had died but she is moving slightly, just her head and her legs a little, but not enough to be mobile.

Has anybody had a near drowing with a turtle and know what I should do. Does she just need to rest. I fed her last night abound 9.30pm so she could have been stuck for up to 12 hours.

Thanks

 

[Jazzz]

i would be going to a vet as i have no idea =[ hope she recovers ok...

 

[Kitah]

She will have reduced respiratory function due to inhalation of water, may have hypoxic damage to organs (inadequate oxygen, cell death), can end up with secondary infections etc.

A veterinarian is definitely indicated... Until then, keep her warm, out of water she can drown in (but keep her moist as they can dehydrate rapidly), and calm.

 

[mysnakesau]

If you still have water for her, though, make sure it isn't shallow so that if she falls on her back she can't get over, then she could drown in that small amount of water. So always make sure water is deep enough that they can swim themselves out of trouble.

I don't know how different sawshells are from longnecks but it won't hurt if you kept her dry docked until you know she is ok, anyway. Give her a swim once or twice a week and then keep her in a dry tub every other time. This is what I do with wild turtles that I get in care with broken shells and they have all recovered well. But again, I don't know sawshells, and how different they are, if this kind of treatment would be detrimental to them.

 

[saltuarius]

Your sawshell should be fine. They can breathe underwater to some extent. Probably just tired. Keep it cool and out of the water in a container with a moist paper towel and see if it improves. Have seen a few apparently dead turtles from drowning come to after a few hours with some leg pumping and cooling in a fridge.