Urgent Care :: Peeling skin should I worry - Newbie

[sonyj]

Sounds like maybe they are getting too much protein in their diet and not enough veggies? By cutting back the protein items (pellets, worms, feeder fish) you can offer more veggies that won't make them grow faster. I never feel guilty about giving Koopa a piece of carrot or other veggie to nibble on if he's begging knowing it's not bad for him (not that I do it each time he begs just occasionally). Maybe just try the every other day feeding pellets since they are that big and substitute veggies on the other day. You'll feel better knowing they are getting something to eat that's good for them and they will be happy too.

[tutlehaven]

I just went out and bought some salt for the turts and some vitashell. i have offered them veggies before but they don't care for them. it has been a while so i will try them again.

[tini]

Keep trying different veggies until they take. Neptune was used to the sticks which are very hig in protein. I bought him from Petco and that is all they feed them! So he is doing much better now! Took a few weeks but he is taking to them much better! I had to try all kinds of different stuff.

[marisa]

I wouldn't use the Vitashell. I've read quite a few complaints about the product--it's oil-based and over time will clog the shell, which needs to be able to breathe. You didn't mention your turtles have shell problems, but if they do, it will not help, but in all likelihood with worsen them.

[tutlehaven]

they don't have shell problems i just thought it would make them feel more comfortable and or give them some vits they might need.

[marisa]

If they don't have shell problems, I'd leave their shells alone. They should get their vitamins through their diet (like humans). How would using it make them more comfortable? I'd take it back.

[tutlehaven]

marisa, please stop busting my chops. all i am doing is trying to do everything i can for my turts. they are healthy and happy. i just saw this in the store the other day and thought it would be nice o.k.?

[marisa]

Oh, it's you tutlehaven. I'm really not trying to "bust your chops." I'm only trying to help. And I wonder why you're so defensive... OK, do what you like with the VitaShell. (But I still don't understand why using it would make them feel more comfortable.)

[tutlehaven]

do you like to put on lotion after a bath or shower? i do. and i thought after a salt bath to clean off the peeling skin that the vitashell would be good on thier skin.

[marisa]

I'm becoming a little hesitant to respond, Tutlehaven...Yes, lotion after a shower feels good. But turtles aren't people. Your turtles are shedding for whatever reason, and to me it's reasonable to let the skin/shell breathe if there's a problem. If I had a skin problem, I wouldn't necessarily put lotion on it after a shower even if it did feel good. Clean water (NOT that theirs isn't) is more important for their skin than putting an oil-based cream on it. (You could even not use it at first and if the condition improves then take it back; if it doesn't, well, you have it to try if you want to.)

But, as I said a while back when you were upset about my responses to you (did you ever read it?), you are free to do as you please.

[tutlehaven]

well marisa, then how about not responding to my messages?

[marisa]

Ok, tutlehaven, this is fine with me.

[Jen182]

You should really calm down tutlehaven, there's a few people on this board I would trust my turtles life with and one of those is Marisa. You'd be doing your turtles a service by taking her advice.

[tini]

wow! I think I am . . .er in the wrong post.

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

I agree that it shouldn't be used, you can go here for some more info and a picture of a box turtle named "Cupcake" along with another named "Chocolate Chip"
http://chemistry.lsu.edu/bz/bz/cupcake.html
http://chemistry.lsu.edu/bz/album/turtl ... colate.htm

I hope this helps to clear some things up.