Urgent Care :: Shell thing

[pezjunkie2001]

My turt boris is about 5 in long and i have had him 11 mts. i admit that he grew fast but now his shell is looking funny? he has slight soft spots between the scutes down the middle of his back. it is more visable around his head. yes he has a uvb light and a basking spot but i just moved resently and i wonder if this could be stress or is he getting shell rot. the soft spots are at the seams of the scutes and they are dark in color. almost like a outline in a coloring book. any help would be nice that you.

[missibsu]

Do you have any way that you can post some pics of this? It would be best if the shell was dry.

[Kallistos]

Between the UVB light and the tank, is there any glass or wire mesh? How large are the squares if you have wire mesh. Yes pictures would be helpful

[pezjunkie2001]

sorry can't get pic camera is charging. yes i have a screen lid from my 10 gal old tank between the lamp and the tank. but i have been doing this for a while and i have never seen the lines before.

[Kallistos]

How larege is your tank? That screen lid is filtering out most of the UVB light, because I assume it's like most screen lids with the extremely tiny square holes.

[pezjunkie2001]

it is a 55 gal tank not filled all the way but it is deep. i don't think the lid is doing it because he has had the lid and light combo for like 9 mts. maybe he is just sheading again it has been awhile

[Kallistos]

How soft, can you push it in. Perhaps give him some cuttlebone?

[missibsu]

How much has your turtle grown in the approx. 11 months that you have owned him?

Also, I can wait until the camera charges, lol. I think a picture will help us see the areas that you are talking about.

[pezjunkie2001]

okay I am crazy. i gave him some cuttle bone and i made him bask and the shell already looks better. i guess the move messed up his basking routine or something. thanks for y'alls help

and by the way he grew from 1 in to 5 1/2 in in 11 months

[missibsu]

How did you make your turtle bask? Forced basking is not safe for your turtle!

4.5 inches of growth in less than a year is way too fast for growth. What and how much are you feeding? Also, what is the water temp?

[pezjunkie2001]

first of all i don't force him to bask all of the time i did it for half hour two times over the weekend by putting him under his light in a tub with some water in it. i only did it to make sure he got rays because he was acting sick. i watched him constantly and i have noticed on this website that some people have suggested it. i ALSO follow what people say about feeding by only giving enough pelets to fill his empty head. and the water temp is 76 so i think by all means i am not harming my turtle in anyway. i looked at this site because my turt was not acting right and i followed the advice from other people. i do not or would not do anything to cause harm to any creature being that i am a vet student and a comitting my life to help animals. i do belive that he has grown fast but i belive it is because i gave him every thing he needed since birth not every thing he wanted.

and just so everyone is clear -- i know that many people on this website care a great deal for turtles but on many post i have noticed alot of people being disrespectful to those who came here for help. i am not going to return to this site because of it.

[jenaero]

Ok. Goodbye and Good luck.

[Shavannah]

I'm sorry that you have felt insulted. I'm fairly new on here too, and also got that impression from some of the posts from some members. I just look past it and take the advise for the advise. It's unfortunate that this has been happening. I understand that some people get turtles only because they're cute and don't realize the amount of responsibilty it entails. However, most of the members on here truly care about their pets, and want to offer as much advise to new owners, and old owners who didn't realize all of what the turtles require. I am fortunate that no one replied to my questions in a disrespectful way, and I hope the courtesy continues with all members towards each other. Scaring people away or making them upset doesn't help them, and they may not seek any more advise from anyone, which may cause their pet to suffer for it. Please, choose your wording carefully, and understand that people do come here for help, and that is what they should be given. Guidance and advise can be given in a positive way. It's better for everyone.

[cprcheetah]

I have only been here a month, and I don't think disrespect is meant, more of concern for the turtles....4" is QUITE a lot for a turtle to growth that is more than double their original size, growing is not easy on them. I think a lot of comments that may be taken disrespectfully or 'flaming' if you will...are taken that way because not enough information is given. That's why there are stickies such as the urgent care one that hardly anyone fills out, yet wants advice on their turtles...without this information people are taking their 'best guess' as to their situation. I for one did not know hardly anything about turtles prior to coming on this forum, and have found it VERY insiteful and helpful. You can't take offense when people are trying to help you. So my advice is to give lots and lots of details, and expect some care and concern, I have found that most people on this board who have been here for a long time are very dedicated concerned turtle owners, and just want whats best for the turtles involved. JMO.

[Shavannah]

Very nicely put, cprcheetah.