Lawn Mower Injury Sends Box Turtle To Rehab

The following story was shared with us by Appalachian Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina.

In September 2019, an Eastern box turtle (patient ID 19R78) arrived at Appalachian Wild’s urgent care facility. It had been hit by a lawn mower. The box turtle lost a large section of the carapace (top of the shell) to the lawn mower, and the wound site was covered in dirt and grass.

After initial stabilization and care, the turtle continued to refuse food. To keep him stable and to help his body heal, we began tube-feedings using the suggested mixture from EmerAid of 1 part Intensive Care Carnivore and 2 parts Intensive Care Herbivore. He was fed on our regular feeding schedule for box turtles. After seven weeks in care, he began eating on his own.

The tube-feedings of EmerAid maintained his nutritional needs as well as provided aid to his hydration levels, which allowed his body to put the energy needed into healing. While his shell will always have a large deformity, he has made a complete recovery.