Urgent Care :: Scheduling a appointment tomorrow, but need some input.

[machina]

How big is your turtle? 4-5in
How long have you had it? about a year

What is the water temperature? 79ish
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? 28gal
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes
Are you using any filtration? Yes, renstar 100gal filter

What is the basking temperature? 90
Is there a basking light? Yes, UVA/UVB compact florescent
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of?
Is there a UVB light?

What have you been trying to feed it? Reptomin. She had some guppies last week and some lettuce. Otherwise mostly reptomin.
When was the last time your turtle ate? Today

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 28gal
Is the tank near a window? No
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Yes

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? No, she is acting normal.

Alright. So there have a been a few shite spots on her shell for some time now. I figured she had got them running her shell into the tank when she scurries off the platform or was shedding.

But now they are spreading, and don't look like pre shedding spots. They aren't soft spots, but she does get very testy when I am poking at them (although she always is when I pick her up). She has also been sunning more frequently. She also allows me to get closer to her while sunning, but she has been doing this to some extent way before she had the spots spread. I thought she was just getting to trust me (She already eats out of my hand and comes on the dock to ask for food).

She is acting completely normal otherwise.

Again, I am scheduling an appointment tomorrow, but being able to get some input now will ease my mind. I've already lost one turtle in the last year, I don't want to lose this one. The spots are on her backside.

[megcornell]

It looks like the beginning of a fungal infection. Some dry shell pictures would be helpful though.
The good news is that fungal infections are easily treated. The vet will most likely prescribe you a topical cream like SSD and the infection will clear up.
I'd be more concerned with what encouraged the fungus in the first place. It looks like its in areas of retained scutes to me. Are you sure the basking light has UVB output as well as UVA?
You're doing the right thing by seeing the vet before things get worse, great job on that!

[machina]

It looks like the beginning of a fungal infection. Some dry shell pictures would be helpful though.
The good news is that fungal infections are easily treated. The vet will most likely prescribe you a topical cream like SSD and the infection will clear up.
I'd be more concerned with what encouraged the fungus in the first place. It looks like its in areas of retained scutes to me. Are you sure the basking light has UVB output as well as UVA?
You're doing the right thing by seeing the vet before things get worse, great job on that!

Yes, it is! Should I move it closer? It's 10-12in away.

Should I lightly clean her shell?

[TheComputerGremlin]

Well, for starters, your tank is too small. A 4-5 inch turtle needs at least 50 gallons now, and up to 120 gallons in the future. The smaller the tank, the more likely the water is getting dirtier faster, resulting in an infection.

What brand is your bulb? How old is it? You said your basking temps are 90, so you may not want to move it closer. A lot of bulbs imply that they are both UVB and UVA and heating, but often aren't. Also, your bulb needs to be changed every 6-8 months to maximize the UVB output. However, the UVB won't prevent infection.

Yes, you can always lightly clean her shell with a very soft toothbrush and gentle strokes. Some turtles love it. You can just use some tank-temperature water and rub the shell over.

[SpotsMama]

What's the brand name and strength of your UVB bulb? What kind of bulb do you use for basking/heat?

You said your turtle has been basking more recently - when there is a shell problem, that's a good thing. To stay healthy, a shell must be able to dry out completely - top and bottom - at frequent intervals, and needs to bask under good quality UVB light. A turtle also needs lots of calcium in the diet - is there cuttlebone in the tank for her to snack on?

When you go to the vet, here's a caution. If the vet offers to give a vitamin A shot, first make sure the vet is positive your turtle really needs vitamin A and then discuss other alternatives to shots with the vet like eye drops with vitamin A, cod liver oil or food supplements. Several turtles have recently had very bad reactions to vitamin A shots and I think it's best that if vitamin A is needed (and often it's not) the safer methods be used instead.

[machina]

I understand.

Her appointment is tomorrow with a well known herp vet around here. There should just be some cream and thats it; no shot.

I moved the bulb closer and donnie seems to like it. She is sunning right now with back legs splayed out.

There isn't a cuttlebone; I need to get one. However the reptomin sticks do have calcium so it's not as bad as you might think.

I know I need a bigger tank. Money is tight right now, and the money for the vet will set back the tank fund. It is a priority though.

I don't know how it started; I have a huge filter for the size of the tank and clean it regularly.

Donnie is very displeased with me. She's going to be moreso when I have to drive her to the vet. Luckily she doesn't car as much when I feed her (I think she remembers her priorities). I'll also snap a dry shell pic tonight.

[SpotsMama]

I'm curious about your UVB bulb - what's the strength and brand name?

[machina]

Vet said she looked like she had a very mild case of shell rot. She didn't think it was a fungal infection.

Either way I have meds to give her via a shot. Once every 3 days for 3 weeks. I'm also getting a new bulb.

She was not happy about the car right, but I just gave her some shrimp. She should be good to go

[steve]

It looks fungal to me too. I also don't agree with Vit A shots, it seems like it is an over prescribed practice. If it was shell rot, antibiotics would be a better choice. Can you post clear shots of the area when it is dry?