what should i do if my baby turtles neck is broke is it going to be ok its still alive?

Question

well its like the size of a silver doller an its a water turtal
an its neck is all over the place but its still swimming an an alive just having trouble it looks like so what should i do any one help please

Answer 1

It's possible, but not very likely that the neck is broken. It could be possible though that it is broken and it is not paralyzed. Not all spinal injuries result in paralysis. The reptile is also built a little more ruggedly in many cases, and could survive an injury that a person could not. Their brains can remain active without oxygen for up to an hour for example.

If it can hold it's head up when out of the water, then it's not broken. If it cannot, or when it swims, it's head just flops to one side, then it may have a broken neck or a neuromuscular paralysis from another reason.

More than likely the turtle is deathly ill and this is causing a neurological disorder. This happens in lizards and snakes when they eat prey that is too large for them, something toxic, or they have severe ( usually viral ) infections. The symptoms are commonly known as ataxia and "stargazing". Many times the herp is partially paralyzed or may be clumsy and fall over, not having their natural self righting ability working correctly. There are many other reasons why this might be happening with your turtle though, and it could be an infection, lack of proper diet, and metabolic bone disorder due to improper diet and lack of UVB lighting. You must ensure that you are feeding the proper diet, and that you are providing UVB lighting. If you are not, then the turtle will not live long, or something like this will happen and it will be that way the rest of it's life.

A vet is the only one who can tell you what is wrong though, because we can't look at the turtle over the internet and make a diagnosis like that. It's just a guess. If you want to be sure and you want to really save it, then take it to a reptile vet. That is the only acceptable answer.

Answer 2

Turtles Neck

Answer 3

Turtles have very flexible necks. Since this turtle is so small an very young, it may still be learning how to control its head and neck. Try to keep it on a land base object and see how it reacts. If it moves around and acts fine, than I'm sure nothing is wrong. It a turtle or any living creature broke their neck they would be paralyzed, and therefore wouldn't be able to move, if the turtle is still moving than it shouldn't be a broken neck......If you are still unsure if the turtles neck is broken, call a vet and ask what a turtle would do if it broke its neck and was still alive. They may want to take a look at it to make sure it isn't broken. Good Luck.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
what should i do if my baby turtles neck is broke is it going to be ok its still alive?
well its like the size of a silver doller an its a water turtal
an its neck is all over the place but its still swimming an an alive just having trouble it looks like so what should i do any one help please

Answer 5

Why do you think its neck is broken?

If the neck is really broken, but it is moving around OK, it will probably be OK.

You may want to talk to some folk who really know turtles better- http://www.turtleforum.com

Answer 6

Take it to a vet that treats exotics. A problem potentially this serious needs medical attention. be very careful moving it so it isn't damaged further. It is possible it could survive, reptiles are amazingly resilient, but it definitely needs medical care!

Answer 7

Go buy the smallest Popsicle sticks, some gauze and some tape that looks like material (forgot what it's called). Get the Popsicle sticks, break 2 pieces off, the size of the neck, and get the gauze. Tear the gauze to fit the neck and get the tape and wrap it around. Not too much. It doesn't really hurt to keep it out the water so try to keep it out the water until her neck is healed because the gauze and tape probably won't work so well if it's constantly in water. Good luck to your turtle and still try taking it to the vet.