- Admitted
- August 29, 2024
- Rescue Location
- Rockingham County, Virgnia
- Cause of Admission/Condition
- Leg and shell injury
- Status
- Former Patient
Last Updated Jump to patient updates
On the afternoon of August 28, a private citizen came across a very unexpected animal in Rockingham County: a Wood Turtle! While this would normally be an exciting find, as Wood Turtle populations are currently in decline, the citizen noticed the turtle was missing a portion of its left front leg. The turtle was brought to the Wildlife Center the following morning for treatment.
On intake, the Center's veterinary team confirmed that this female turtle was missing approximately half of her left front leg, with a portion of the ulna exposed. This traumatic amputation appeared to be an old injury, with maggots surrounding the wound. Upon further examination, the vet team found chronic fractures to both the top and bottom of the turtle's shell. Additionally, the turtle was quite thin, with a body condition score of 1.5/5. The turtle's wounds were cleaned and bandaged, and she was immediately started on antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, pain medications, and fluids.
Subsequent radiographs revealed that while the exposed ulna had been fractured, the turtle's humerus was intact and no other fractures were identified. The vet team will continue to monitor this turtle's condition and plan to conduct surgery on September 4 to clean up her injury site.
It is not uncommon to find a turtle missing a portion of their (or their entire) limb – while turtle shells are very effective at protecting the turtle against most predators, some predators such as raccoons can pry a leg out of the shell. This can cause a similar amputation of the limb that this turtle experienced. However, turtles can also experience traumatic amputations due to lawn equipment, which is why it is important to do a quick scan of your lawn for wildlife before doing any yard work!
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Wood Turtles as Endangered since 2011, and their populations are still in decline. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) also lists them as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need at the state level. These declines are primarily attributed to habitat degradation/fragmentation and the illegal pet trade. If you ever come across a Wood Turtle, never share the turtle's location with others – this puts the turtle at risk of being taken from the wild and entered into the pet trade. Alternatively, you can submit a Wood Turtle Field Observation Form to the Virginia DWR to help state officials monitor the species populations.
However, if you find an injured Wood Turtle, immediately contact the Wildlife Center or your local wildlife rehabilitator. Every individual plays a vital role in the population, and your actions could help save this species from extinction! For more information on Wood Turtles and what you can do to help them, visit DWR's webpage on the species.
Patient Updates
During the past seven months, Wood Turtle #24-3565's condition has significantly improved. By late November, the turtle's wounds and skin infection had fully healed, and the turtle no longer required treatment. The Wood Turtle was transferred to the Center's rehabilitation team for overwinter care.
Each day, the turtle received a “dry” meal consisting of moss, egg, cricket, and minced berries. The turtle was also provided with greens and mealworms in her water tub, which she would enthusiastically dive into the water to eat. Over the following months, the turtle's body condition steadily improved, increasing from a score of 1.5/5 to an ideal 3/5.
As temperatures began to rise in April, the rehab team started preparing for the turtle's release by moving her into an outdoor enclosure for acclimation. During her acclimation period, rehab staff closely monitored her behavior and noted that she was active, eating well, and had no difficulty navigating her environment with only three legs.
On May 15, after nearly nine months of care, the Wood Turtle received a final exam from the veterinary team and was cleared for release. Later that day, staff returned her to the site where she was originally found and watched as she entered the water, swimming strongly up and down the stream.
While every patient at the Wildlife Center receives the same level of expert care, threatened species like this Wood Turtle carry added significance. Center staff are hopeful that this female turtle will one day have offspring of her own and help bolster her species’ declining population.
On September 4, the Center's veterinary team performed surgery on this Wood Turtle to fully amputate her left front limb. While the turtle was under anesthesia, the vet team also cleaned up a fracture site on her plastron, the bottom portion of the shell. In the days following, the vet team closely monitored the turtle and continued to provide anti-inflammatories, pain medications, antibiotics, and fluids to support her healing process.
While the turtle's amputation site proved to be healing well, the fractures on her plastron became necrotic and were beginning to grow mold. To combat this, the vet team flushed and cleaned her fractures once per day. Once there was no evidence of mold growth for multiple days, bone cement was applied to her fractures to help stabilize the area and prevent foreign materials from entering the fracture site. The bone cement was removed after a little over a week.
The veterinary team also noted skin sloughing, or the shedding of dead skin cells, around the turtle's neck. This is a normal process that typically makes way for the formation of new, healthy skin cells. However, this skin sloughing intensified and led to the formation of wounds, leading the vet team to suspect that the turtle had a bacterial infection on her skin. Antibacterial medication was restarted, and salt soaks were prescribed to keep the turtle hydrated while also cleaning the skin.
Now that the October 1 deadline for reptile releases in Virginia has passed, this Wood Turtle will have to remain in the Center's care until next spring. The Center's team will do everything in their power to assist this turtle in her healing process and get her back to the wild in time for the breeding season!