Urgent Care :: shell problem, unusual situation

[pbangelo]

I've read many posts about shedding and shell problems, but haven't seen the information I'm looking for. I have 2 RES Sheldon & Shelby in my 1200 gallon pond. They were purchased from a pet store, and are about 5" carapace length. I've had them about a month, they are eating and basking and seem content. The pond is very well filtered and has a water fall, the water is clean and the right temperature. I am feeding turtle pellets and veggies.
Despite the good conditions they are in, Sheldon has 2 scutes that are lifting up and some white spots that I fear may be shell rot. The problem is that there's no way to catch him to investigate further or to apply any of the treatments I've read about. There are numerous hiding places in the pond, and both turtles are very people shy. They dive and hide whenever I approach the pond, except when they are hungry. Even then, if my arm movements in throwing the food are too "aggressive", they will dart away. I've read that shell rot can be contagious, so of course I'm concerned about Shelby too.
I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for dealing with this situation. This MAY be normal shedding, but I can't get close enough to get a photo. If it is a problem, is there any kind of medication that could be placed in the water to help clear it up? Any ideas out there?
Thanks,
Pam

[missibsu]

When shedding starts the scutes can get a metallic look to them. Is it possible that this is what you are seeing? The scutes that are lifting, is there evidence of fresh scutes underneath? Does it look healthy and normal?

[pbangelo]

It's difficult to tell since I get only very brief close-up looks at him. The 2 scutes are mostly clear with black spots. When he is basking, they actually stick up in the air (observed with binoculars from the house since I can't get close when he's basking). They seem to be mostly off, just conected at one edge, which would seem like shedding to an amateur like me. I'm more concerned about the white spots I see. Have you heard of treating the water with Acriflavine? I saw that on another web site this evening.

[steve]

Acriflavine is a topical antiseptic and I would not just use any medication without having an accurate diagnosis first. Petstores are notorious for having uniformed sales people and for keeping reptiles in poor conditions. Can you use a large net to corner them? Were these spots visible when you first acquired the turtles?

[pbangelo]

Yes, looking back I realize that there were some spots when we bought him. The pet store person said it was normal shedding, but now I'm not so sure since we've had him a month and the scutes still haven't come off and it seems there may be more white stuff visible. I'm afraid that in my ignorance I purchased an unhealthy turtle.

[amazingcc]

You might have no choice but to catch him and have him seen by a vet, even though shedding scutes can take longer than a month w/some turts.

[marisa]

To get a good look at his shell, I'd get a net with a handle large enough to hold him, tempt him to come near you (with some smelly food) and take him out of the water. A pic of the shell dry would be good.

If (and I say if) you were to treat with Acriflavine (it works well for some shell problems, but you'd want to make sure whatever you turtle has it's one of them), you'd put in in a treatment tank and put your turtle in the tank. At any rate, you first need to get a good look at his shell.

[amazingcc]

Unless you are very experienced at what you're looking at, I still suggest getting an accurate diagnosis from a vet.

[pbangelo]

I will attempt to catch him, but I have my doubts - he is VERY fast and VERY skittish! If I am unable to catch him, would it be harmful to treat the entire pond with the acriflavine? Wouldn't that be better than doing nothing?

[marisa]

If you were going to do so, it would be better to treat him in a tank. First find out if there's a problem and, if so, what it is.