The use of silver amalgam for treatment of shell ulcerations in turtles: 60 cases

Shell ulcers were diagnosed based on clinical appearance in 60 turtles. Under general anaesthesia, surgical curettage was performed using a burr mounted on a micro-grinder. A calcium hydroxide paste was applied to the debrided lesions before the application of restorative material. Lesions were completely filled with rapidly hardening silver amalgam. Treated terrapins were hospitalised in dry containers and later were housed in tanks with controlled temperature 24 hours. Fillings were found spontaneously expulsed at various periods after placement. No signs of mercury poisoning or tissue reaction to the prosthesis were apparent.