Urgent Care :: shell problems

[slapjack413]

Hi,
I have had my RES for about 6 months now. His name is Milton and he is my love. His shell is slowly turning white. It was just a portion of it but it looks like it is spreading. I want to know what this is, what I can do, and if it is bad? His water temp is 78-80. He eats 4-5 Reptomin pellots a day. He basks normally, and is very active. Please tell me what I can do or if this is just shedding?!?! THank you!

[xsavingsaturdayx]

my turtle's shell turned kind of white at one point well just one part of his shell, it turned out he was shedding.

but i dont know, maybe it can be something else?
take him or her to a vet

[flutterby]

Is it possible for you to post a picture of your turtles shell? It would be easier to be able to help you if we knew what we were "working" with.

[marisa]

It's not possible to know what the problem could be with either of your turtles without a pic of the shell (preferably when dry).

How long have you had your turtles? How much have they grown in that time? Do both of your turtles have a UVB light as well as a heat source like a lightbulb? Do your turtles bask? What are your turtles being fed?

[slapjack413]

I only have one turtle...I think "marisa" read the second one. My problem is the top it has all that information. I have a picture of his shell but I dont know how to post it yet I am working on it. Thank you for your help you guys!

[steve]

This post explains how to post a pic:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1811

[slapjack413]

YAY!! Thank you Steve!

[steve]

There have been a few posts about similar shell conditions, however I do not recall any follow ups. If its not mineral deposits from hard water, you are presumably looking at some sort of fungal, viral or bacterial condition.

[marisa]

Given the fact that the seam is so wide, it looks like your turtle is/has been doing some growing. It would be nice to see a clearer pic (to me it looks blurry), but assuming his set-up is good (he has both had heat light and UVB light?) and the water is kept clean with regular changes, I'm thinking he may be beginning to shed. Are any of those scutes loose at all? If you press on them, does any water leak out?

[slapjack413]

I only have a UVB light no heat light. The scutes dont seem to be loose, they look like they are going to shed like the other side. ill try to get a clearer pic on here. Thank you for your help.

[megcornell]

To encourage basking you're going to need a heat light, the UVB doesnt give off enough heat to tempt the turtle to come up and bask. If he's not basking he'll be much more prone to diseases. You can use a regular house bulb for a heat light.

[slapjack413]

Thank you!! I will put a heat light near.

[SpotsMama]

Slapjack413, your turtle's shell looks EXACTLY like mine's did about a year or a year and a half ago. By now it's almost all white. Please keep us posted as to how your turtle's shell is doing. I'm hoping to learn from others on here how to make Spot's shell healthy again.

[slapjack413]

ahh yah I will keep you updated, how big is your turtle? I am hoping it is just a shedding thing.

[marisa]

With just a UVB light, does he bask? He needs a heat light to warm the basking area as well (should be next to the UVB light over the basking area). You can use a regular light bulb for this; basking area should be 88-90F.