Urgent Care :: Hatchling RES with shell discoloration/lightening

[Angella]

Today when I took my hatchlings out of their tank to feed them, I noticed that one of them has some strange looking light patches on his shell that I haven't noticed before. This one's shell has been on the strange side since I brought them home about a week and a half ago. It seems rough and grainy (I've asked about that several times before, and the general consensus is that it's probably nothing that a good shedding won't fix) Anyway, I'm really worried about this little turtle, so ya'll take a look and tell me what you think!

[sonyj]

Angella, I wish I could ease your mind but I'm not sure what it is. I see what areas you are talking about but unless it's shedding, which I doubt in one so young, I really don't know. We'll hold one and see if someone else can shed some light on this for you.

[marisa]

I'm looking also at the dark area toward the top of the left circled area that seems to be extending down the seam (line in between the scutes). Is there any softness there or anywhere else in the circled areas? Can the turtle easily get out an bask under proper lighting?

[Angella]

Marisa:
The shell has a little give all over, which I guess is normal for a young turtle. Nothing seems softer than any other part that I've noticed, certainly no indentation with pressure -- it seems firm, but there is some give. The turtle has a warm (usually about 90 degree) basking spot. I won't be able to get a UVB bulb until this weekend, but have been taking them outside for half an hour to an hour of sun about 4 days a week. I do know that these baby turts had less than desirable conditions before I got them, no warm basking area, improper food and temps, you name it. Could this have been something that was "in the works" before I got them, and the symptoms are just starting to show, or is this something that's developed in the week or so that I've had them? I'm not at home just now, so I can't check in on them, but I'll see if anything has changed and post pics (if needed) this afternoon.

[Angella]

Looks like the condition is getting worse! Here are some new pics, showing greater detail. The little guy/gal is still very active, swiming and basking normally and has a great appetite. Still, I'm very concerned!

[JessicaTS]

What is his diet?
As well as lighting goes, the diet and the abundance of nutrients and vitamins contributes to shell discoloration.

[marisa]

Angella, the conditions you described could well mean that this was "in the works" and is starting to show up now. To me, this looks like some sort of infection (shell rot?). Is there an odor from the area that looks like some sort of discharge is coming from it? The other hatchlings' shells are OK? There is some "give" to hatchlings shells, and from what you described, this doesn't seem out of the ordinary.

If you can't get your hands on any Nolvasan (chlorohexidine) to clean the shell (you could get it from a vet), I'd try cleaning the area with some diluted betadine and see if that helps. I don't know about the faded areas, though (perhaps this indicates that the problem covers a bigger area than just where that discharge is?), and I think if possible a visit to a herp vet would be the best thing to do. A vet could pinpoint the problem and offer appropriate treatment. (Check the others if you got them at the same place just to make sure they don't have any shell problems. You might want to separate this one from the others until he can be seen.) Good luck. Let us know what happens.

[Angella]

I spoke with my vet on the phone today. Thankfully he does have some experience with aquatic turtles as it turns out. Unfortunately, he's going on vacation tomorrow morning and won't be back for a week. He suggested that in the meantime, I gently clean the shell with a soft bristled brush and then allow the turt to dry and apply a thin layer of a triple antibiotic cream and let it sit for about 10 minutes before putting it into the water in case there's some kind of infection. He said to bring him in after a week (how convenient) if I don't see any improvement. Whatever is going on, it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. I have noticed that when the turtle basks and dries off the light patches go back to their normal color, but come back again when the turtle returns to the water. There is no odor, and no oozing, just this paleness, and what looks like a slight lifting on the bottom of the second vertebral scute on the left side. Since the turtle doesn't seem to be distressed, I'm going to try this antibiotic ointment thing and see how it goes. (S)he's still eating and basking well, so that's a good sign I guess. I have the hatchlings separated for the time being (the other one seems just fine), and I will keep you guys posted! Thanks for the advice.

[marisa]

Well, I guess a week isn't that long to wait, and you'll know soon enough whether your vet's treatment is working. I'd make sure there's ample opportunity to bask under proper lighting. Good luck. Let us know how s/he does.

[blair1750]

NEVER EVER put hatchlings and/or new borns in direct sun!!!!! PLEASE research this!!! Don't even put them by a window. Also have your preperations in place,...uvb,... and all the requirments in place BEFORE you buy turtles.

[blair1750]

also use the vita-shell cream... at any pet store... let their shell dry, then, let it dry on the shell then place them back in thier habitat. Do not leave them out of their comfort zone too long!

[Love of Animals]

blair1750 this is an old thread. The best uvb comes from the sun and vita shell is not recommended. I'm glad your reading through old threads you'll learn a lot about the care of turtles.