California Tortoise with Cracked Shell Gets Repaired for USD 4,000

A wayward tortoise had cracked its shell after it fell from a ten-foot wall in San Diego. The tortoise was treated by veterinarians using screws and zip ties. The injury was so severe that even denture material was used in the repairs. Post the surgery, the tortoise can easily live for its decades of life. But it is not yet fully recovered. The repair of the cracked shell cost $4,000 and it was covered by county's Spirit Fund.

The County Animal Services Director from San Diego, Dan DeSousa said the 90-pound male African tortoise was probably a pet which went out loose. The tortoise fell down when it was trying to escape from a dog. From from such a height cracked its shell badly, literally into three pieces. The entire repair was a three-hour long operation process. The tortoise was found on Sunday and the surgery took place on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. The complete recovery of the tortoise will take about at least a year. Till then the tortoise will be living with a rescue group. The age of this tortoise was somewhere between 35-40 years and with the surgery done, it could live much longer.

For a tortoise a shell cracking could be accidental or due to an infection. The weather is also partly responsible for shell cracking. In case of a too humid environment, the shell can deteriorate. A tortoise's shell cracking needs an experienced veterinarian for treatment. A tortoise's shell is as good as its skin and damage to it cannot be neglected. A tortoise cannot make their own repair. For deeper holes or injuries the recovery takes time.