Case Report - Common Long-necked Tortoise (Chelodina longicollis)  

History

A common long-necked tortoise was found with a fractured shell by a member of the public next to a road in Templestowe. The tortoise had presumably been hit by a car. It was taken to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre for treatment.  

Clinical Examination

On examination the tortoise's carapace (top shell) was fractured over the tail and pelvis region. The tortoise was stabilised by treating it with an analgesic, an antibiotic to stop infection spreading into the abdomen and fluids to prevent dehydration.  

Diagnosis

Fractured carapace probably caused by a car.  

Treatment

The next day the tortoise was anaesthetised and the fractured pieces of carapace thoroughly scrubbed and disinfected to remove all traces of dirt and algae. Screws were drilled into the carapace on either side of the fracture. These were tied together with wire to stabilise the fracture and hold the ends together. Any remaining gaps were filled with a wound paste and sealed with special clay that can be bought from the hardware shop and sets like cement. It was important to provide a waterproof seal to the wound as Long-necked Tortoises will only feed in the water and it would be undesirable to have water leaking into the tortoise's abdominal cavity. As soon as the clay had set and the tortoise had recovered from the anaesthetic, it was placed in water. The tortoise was given analgesics for four days and antibiotics for one week. At the end of this time the tortoise was bright and the fracture repair was intact so it was released into the pond at Australian Wildlife Health Centre.  The tortoise is still thriving (more than two months post accident) and is now hibernating for the winter.  

Conclusion

Tortoises are frequently struck by cars while crossing the road. The fractured shells that result can often be repaired if the damage is not too severe, and the tortoise is treated as soon as possible. Reptiles live life in the slow lane and it will take between 12 and 18 months for the shell to repair itself. At this point the screws and wire will be removed and the tortoise released back into the wild.