Urgent Care :: Shell problem??!!

[HomerJTurtle]

Ok here is a pic of the damaged shell. Talked to the only vet in town that does reptiles and he says to use betadine ETC. Was not aware that I should leave the turtle out to dry LOL (will put him in the tub when fixin him up now). The pic is the best I could do. In the affected area there are a couple dark reddish spots (looks like bone marrow to me) and is slightly pinkish. Any ideas or suggestions?

[SpotsMama]

What happened? Was he bitten? When did the injury occur? Is it bleeding?

Here's a link on the subject of shell injuries:

http://www.redearslider.com/shell_conditions.html

This turtle needs antibiotics administered by a vet - topical ointments or washes won't be sufficient.

On the link I provided above, you'll find another link to a page on treatment of minor shell injuries. You can use the advice on there for interim maintenance until you can get your turtle to the vet's, but your turtle's shell problem is not minor - the minor shell treatment is merely a stopgap to try to control further infection until you can see the vet.

Good luck. Your poor turtle is probably in pain. I hope your vet can see him right away. Please keep us posted on how it goes.

[HomerJTurtle]

Well, about the pain Im not sure. I put the betadine direct without dilution and it didnt seem to phase him/her. I do think it was bitten by the oldest turtle at some point because I have seen big papa turtle grab this one and flip it over. The injury is not bleeding tho. Just looks like it disintergrating.

[megcornell]

If the older/larger turtle is flipping this injured one over, you need to separate them ASAP before the injured one is killed.

[HomerJTurtle]

If the older/larger turtle is flipping this injured one over, you need to separate them ASAP before the injured one is killed.

Thats what I thought until the vet said its more then likey not a teritorial thing but a bacterial thing.

[SpotsMama]

I hate to second guess a vet but I strongly disagree that it's likely not a territorial thing. It's very common for turtles to fight and when it starts, if they aren't separated, they injure or kill each other. If you've seen the big one bite the smaller one, then that's a likely source of the injury.

However, your vet is probably on target that there is a bacterial infection. That happens if an injury isn't treated right away. On the link I provided above, read also the info on septicemia.

[marisa]

The wet shell can be deceptive, but it looks like there could be some shell rot involved...I'd ask the vet about getting some Nolvasan (chlorohexidine) and clean the shell with that (keep the turtle out of the water to let it dry).

[Bumby's Mom]

Nolvasen or Tricide solution is the way to go. I put tricide on Nyx's wounded areas when I got her and within a week or so they were completely healed. I think I used the Nolvasen a few times as well but I am not positive (have used it several times on my duck though).

[steve]

Shell damage can take a long time to heal, I'd make sure you have a good vet who can also monitor the progress.