Turtle presented with a good 3 in by 4 in piece of carapace missing, and a long crack leading from that hole. The edge pieces near the arm and head are pushed in and much further into the turtle than they should be. No piece is attached to another and all move with the turtle. Shoulder has a protrusion resembling a chicken drumstick . When turtle moves the left leg the "chicken bone" moves up and down well above the missing carapace area and the shell pieces move.

Injury is not very fresh but is covered with thousands of maggots and there is some "wet" visible in the long crack.

Kept submerged is water changed often every day to remove the maggots. Due to the wet area visible it cannot be exposed to air and I am unwilling to house it indoors so it will remain in scrupulously clean water in a large stock tank.

This turtle is alert and eating very well.

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update 7-22-2005:

Has been stable since receiving this turtle and body cavity is intact, with all body lesions sealed. The left leg is and has been fully functional. shell regeneration has begun. Taken to the veterinarian today to see if the protruding bone should be cut off allowing the arm to function after the shell regeneration reaches the area of the bone protrusion. He will x-ray and determine the best course for this turtle.

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update 8-2005:

The veterinarian wants it untreated and a recheck after shell regeneration process is well underway. Did not want to make the decision to cut of the bone until shell regeneration has started covering that area. She is still stable and doing well.

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update 9-2005:

Shell generation is progressing. She is still stable and doing well.