Editor’s Note: The juvenile gopher tortoise is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
This past week, a juvenile gopher tortoise (patient #25-3050) was rescued after being attacked by a dog. The tortoise suffered multiple puncture wounds on its shell, including two deep enough to expose the coelomic membrane. This thin membrane lines the body cavity, separating internal organs from the outer layers of the shell.
While any wound could introduce bacteria into the body, significant injuries—particularly those caused by a bite—are prone to infection. To reduce that risk, the tortoise is being treated with antibiotics, and its wounds are routinely flushed and cleaned.
There are many topical antiseptics that CROW’s veterinary staff uses; a stronger antiseptic like betadine is applied to more serious puncture wounds, while others are slathered in silver honey. Silver honey is a common all-natural solution in the veterinary world, as it both protects against infection and facilitates wound healing…