Its oh so quiet Shh Shh

[Stefan-A]

Thanks.

I don't like what YouTube does to the videos, they really mess up the brightness and contrast. You should see the original footage.

[adamanteus]

Repairs to injuries like this are often done with fibreglass..... I don't know, Lori. It looks pretty grim in that second shot. Do you think there might be much internal damage?

[Stefan-A]

James, the lighting was excellent in that video. It took me a moment to realize it wasn't shot outdoors.

There's a lot more going on in the radix video, though.

[adamanteus]

Same here! The original is pin sharp, bright, colourful.... but what you get to see on PhotoBucket is a bit poor... it even distorts the image slightly (compressed vertically and stretched horizontally).

[adamanteus]

James, the lighting was excellent in that video. It took me a moment to realize it wasn't shot outdoors.

Well, thank you Stefan. I hope to improve with practice. I've had the camera about three years, but only really used it for holidays etc.

[Zephyr]

Hmm... Seeing as the shell is part of the turtle's body, and is basically a series of bones, I'd say it can be healed. You'll have to use some sort of EXTREMELY strong bonding agent and re-connect the two pieces of shell, using some sort of siphon for drainage while reconnecting. Keep him VERY sterile. If an infection gets in their he's doomed.

[adamanteus]

I don't think 'home surgery' will work on this one. I think it's a job for a professional.

[Zephyr]

Well, if there's a lacking in professionals, there's not other choice. I believe I've seen this performed on a tortoise before... They used an upper support as well as the bonding. Is he moving or does he seem miserable?

[Lori P]

He does not move. He will relax his back legs and tail out, but then if you go near the tank he pulls them back in. On front leg moves, but the other is limp. His head cannot emerge unless we can move that broken shell.

I have no way of knowing about internal injuries.

What do you think the pain threshold is... think I should put him down or let him seet over night and get him to the vet tomorrow if he's alive... I don't want him to be in agony...

[adamanteus]

Lori, of course he must be in agony. That second picture looks as though there is some organ damage.... I know what I would do. You can't just 'glue him back together'.