a case of carapace fracture in an indian star tortoise (geochelone elegans)


Article type :

Case Report

Author :

Boon Allwin, S. Bharath Jothi1, V. Naveen Kumar1 and B.S. Pradeep Nag1

Volume :

8

Issue :

1

Abstract :

Star tortoise’s (Geochelone elegans) is found in the Indian sub-continent and most popular because of its importance in exotic pet trade. A stat tortoise male of age 4 years weighing around 700 g was presented to the zoo veterinary hospital with a fractured carapace. Routine clinical examination was done and the animal was examined. Clinical examination revealed that the animal had a fracture carapace and many bits of carapace were missing. The broken shell was reconstructed using a non-irritant, fast curing epoxy compound additionally antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs were given. The animal was maintained at the in patient ward at the zoo veterinary hospital. Progressive healing of the fractured carapace was observed by 50th day. Additional review was conducted monthly and the animal has shown an uneventful recovery.

Keyword :

Carapace, Fracture, Healing, Epoxy