Hi! Introduce yourselves here. :: 16 year old female turtle

[dibox]

I'm not very new here but I saw this thread so I thought I could introduce my turtle:



http://i52.tinypic.com/29zy915.jpg

Does she look healthy ?

Can you identify that white spot on her head?

[xfallwithmexo]

Wow, 16 I can't imagine my turtles being that old, they aren't even a year! She's beautiful and welcome!

[Diamondbacks4Life]

She looks very healthy to me, her shell looks perfect, about to shed but perfect other then that. As for the white spot doesnt look like anythign really more like something just got on her head. Im sure it will disappear after awhile. I wouldnt worry about it.

[dibox]

Thanks!
Yes she's shedding constantly.

[steve]

Beautiful girl! Have you had her for the entire 16 years?

[dibox]

Beautiful girl! Have you had her for the entire 16 years?

Yes and no.
She lived with my family and I used to visit them. I even used to videotape her.
I suggested that I'll take her because I care more about animals and have more time and better conditions.
Yes I also think she looks nice which is strange because she spent those 16 years in temperatures of 64-75 F eating only raw chicken/pig meat and having no additional care/accessories. When I see various pictures of sick turtles I can't really imagine how bad their conditions must be.

I was sure that with me she would live even longer, since I tried to make her life more comfortable, but I made a mistake of heating her too much and right now I'm suspecting she wants to lay eggs. And I'm kinda stressed with all these risks like egg-binding. I would hate to see her die after all those peaceful years because of an empty stuck egg

[steve]

A vet could take an xray to confirm any eggs.

[dibox]

A vet could take an xray to confirm any eggs.

Yes, I view that as another stage in the 'emergency state of the probable pregnancy'.
Right now the turtle has good apetite, has no problem with moving legs, etc.
It's just that she's restless trying to escape in the morning and sleeps with the rear end up and it happens that I was heating her with a bulb for the past 4 weeks.

Can you tell me maybe when it is necessary to take an immediate next step, like taking to a vet? I observe her everyday.
I don't want her to retain the eggs forever.

I have an inclination to get paranoid about things. Maybe she doesn't have any eggs, and taking her for the xray would only cause too much stress and give her the unnecessary radiation dose, and the only benefit would be MY peace of mind.

[steve]

Feeling for eggs is one way, but a x-ray is the only way to absolutely confirm it. An easy way to feel for them is for her to be on land and roaming about. Once she stops and her leg is extended, you can gently try to feel for it.

[freshprince2146]

Welcome to the forum!! I cant wait till my RES gets that big