[Lori P]

Aaargh.... how can people be so careless??? How do you hit a big turtle in the road?? How can you not see it??

I found a box turtle on the way in to work, lying upside down in the road. He has been hit in the head. He is still alive, but one eye is badly damaged and he does not seem to be able to withdraw his head totally into his shell. He is strong, tho... and no external shell or body damage, just the head.

My exotic vet is not in today. My boss (equine vet) was here when I got here and I had him look at him, and he feels the damage is too extreme for survival but he did not have any idea how to euthanize a turtle with drugs. And he wasn't sure about survival, it was just his guess. He's not a reptile guy at all. He was on his way out to a horse call, so he's gone now.

I feel the turtle must be in pain. (Of course) Here are the options as I see them, please give me your input:

1. I keep the turtle dark and quiet until tomorrow and take him to my reptile vet first thing.

2. I keep him dark and quiet until I get home this evening and have hubby shoot him (that's 6 hours from now).

3. I get advice from somewhere on how to euth him now. We do have a refrig and freezer here... but would that add to his pain??

Aaaargh.... the poor guy. I can take some pics with my cell phone if anyone needs but they won't be great. Thanks for helping me here guys...