can a desert tortoise live with a cracked shell?

by Lana
(Santa Clarita, Ca)

My girlfriend ran over her 85 year old desert tortoise. Can it live? What should I tell her to do? She is very distraut so I am researching for her. She said it is active and is digging a hole.

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Nov 07, 2010
 desert tortoise
by: Anonymous

Yes your friends Desert Tortoise can be helped, I had a friend with a simular problem. get this tort to a vet asap....
Nov 04, 2010
 Injured Tortoise
by: Shelly

Get to a vet as soon as possible. If the shell is cracked, there could also be internal injuries.

You didn't say exactly how badly the tortoise is damaged, but a tortoise is like any other creature. If someone ran over me, I'd want to be taken to medical help to be checked out.

Keep it slow and steady.

PS Get the vet with the most related experience you can:

1. Vet who specializes in tortoises
2. Vet who specializes in reptiles
3. Vet who has some experience withe tortoises and other reptiles
4. Certified vet of any other kind who is willing to help

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