Surgical Reconstruction of Carapace Fracture in an Indian Black Turtle

Abstract

Shell injuries are a common presentation in wild and captive turtles. There are many methods of fracture fixation, which based on the characteristics of the fracture. The present paper discussed about the surgical reconstruction of carapace fracture in an indian black turtle by using orthopedic wire and dental luting cement. An Indian black turtle/Indian pond terrapin (Melanochelys trijuga) weighing 1.1 kg was presented with a displaced fracture of the right side of the carapace involving IM, IIM, IIIM & IVM marginal, IP & IIP pleural and IVe vertebral scutes with a depressed fracture involving II pleural scute. The coelomic membrane was exposed but intact. The wound was noticed at the fractured site and was contaminated. A dorso-ventral radiograph revealed fractured and displaced carapace over the right forelimb with the intact spinal card. Under Ketamine sedation the fractured fragments were immobilized by 26G stainless steel orthopedic wire, inter fragmental space was sealed using dental luting cement (Lute glass) to avoid infiltration of water into wound when the turtle was left in the water. Enrofloxacin was administered intramuscularly at a dose rate 5 mg/kg every 48 hours interval of 6 days. Meloxicam was administered intramuscularly at adose rate 0.2 mg/kg body weight every 24 hours interval for 3 days post-operatively. After complete recovery the turtle was released in its natural habituated place.