Terri the turtle swallowed a toy lizard dropped into her tank, now her she needs help with her expensive operation

A beloved childcare turtle has surgery after swallowing a toy lizard at an Adelaide childcare centre. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

It turned into a sticky situation – and an expensive one – when Terri the turtle swallowed a toy lizard which had been dropped into her tank.

Euin, 2 and Georgie, 2, with director Jeremy Pool and Terri the Turtle at the Le Fevre Community Children’s Centre. Picture: Ben Clark

The silicone toy stuck in the stomach of the Murray short-necked turtle, who has been a much-loved resident at Le Fevre Community Children’s Centre in the Adelaide suburb of Taperoo for the past 17 years.

“We saw one of the kids drop it in,” said centre director Jeremy Pook.

“By the time I got there to get it out, Terri had eaten it.”

After a quick dash to the Unusual Pet Vets, Terri was referred to the Small Animal Specialist Hospital at Kent Town, where she underwent endoscopic surgery to remove the rubbery reptile toy before it could cause a blockage in her intestines.

Mr Pook helped set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover Terri’s $4865 surgery bill, and has already raised almost $3000, much of it from former and current families who have used the centre.

SASH emergency veterinarian Dr Alex Hibbard said the size of the toy, which Terri swallowed whole, was the main concern.

“It’s almost as big as the turtle’s head,” Dr Hibbard said.

“We didn’t think it was going to pass through the small intestines, and that could have caused an obstruction.”

Terri the turtle with the silicon toy lizard once it had been removed by endoscopic surgery at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital. Picture: SASH Adelaide

Emergency veterinarians use an endoscope to remove a toy lizard from the stomach of Terri the turtle at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital. Picture: SASH Adelaide

The incident occurred late on the Friday before the October long weekend.

“If I’d waited then it most likely would have required invasive surgery, where they would have to cut open her shell,” Mr Pook said.

Dr Hibbard said SASH rarely saw exotic animal patients like turtles, but warned against putting objects that could fit in their mouths into their enclosures, other than food or environmental elements.

“We’re a 24-hour, seven day a week, emergency and specialist centre. We will see any nature of patient, at any time, day or night,” he said.

Donations can be made to Help with Terri the Turtles Vet Bills at GoFundMe.

Originally published as Terri the turtle swallowed a toy lizard dropped into her tank, now her she needs help with her expensive operation