Today I drove a turtle to the vet
So there is this box turtle that lives in the woods in my back yard. We've only seen it a handful of times, but today when my wife was leaving for work she saw it by the garage. And while she was moving it she noticed it had some kind of growth on its neck. Expecting it would need help, I lined a box with a towel and put the turtle in.
I contacted a local wildlife helpline and explained the issue, they spoke to a reptile rehab and called me back letting me know that it would likely need medical attention. They told me the address of the closest ER vet open that accepts wildlife patients. I looked it up and it's 45 minutes from my house.
Well, I packed my kids into the car and drove the turtle to the vet. My oldest was super excited to help the turtle, and even made a special bed for it. One listening of The Princess in Black audiobooks later, we arrived at the vet.
I filled out a wildlife surrender form (mostly so they know it hadn't bitten anyone and where it was found) and they took it back. Once they were situated, they invited the kids back to see how they were taking care of the turtle and showed us how to identify that it is a female turtle. I think it meant a lot to them to see other adults taking good care of this animal.
Then I drove us home and stopped to get slushies from Sonic on the way.
20 replies
The turtle in question
How did you drive that all the way to the vet? There's barely any room to sit. I don't even see an engine.
This photo does an excellent job at highlighting the idea that turtles are basically sandwiches
More like calzones
I had to take one of my turtles to the vet because of lump just like that. Most of the vets here were like "Uh, we don't know anything about turtles". Until one agreed to try to give him a shot of antibiotics. The lump went away and he lived another 4-5 years, but his attitude changed completely after that. He turned into a cranky old man overnight.
Its an ear infection, seen a bunch of video on how they remove the infection. Easy procedure that needs to be done for the turtles sake.
Did you tell them you'll come back to release it back in the wild? You can't release turtles anywhere. They will die walking trying to find home, the rescue/rehab said they have to be released withing a mile of where you found them.
The turtles I have brought in all went right back to where I found them (except not on the road). All of them were hit by cars w/ busted shells, it amazing how tough they are!
They said the rehab would contact me to arrange the release
Perfect, the kids are gonna love that day! I know I did as a boring old guy :)
I bet she did a bunch of Air Jail-trying-to-walk shenanigans the entire time she was held aloft in the sky 😆
Ok but did you all name her???
Must you humans name everything? Nothing's real to you 'til you've named it, given it limits.
Not yet, but I guess we should now!
If you find three more and a rat be on the watch for increased crime in your area.
Increased or decreased? They have protection now!
Yeah but the rest of the team is down a member
You don't drive a turtle, you ride a turtle!
Some heroes are dull!
Next week you should take him to the movies.
Hell yeah, brother!