Urgent Care :: Shell maintenance

[jonb76]

I have two red ear sliders and I notice some issue on top of one of their neck. It looks like it rubs on the shell when putting its head in and out. I look at its shell an notice a little piece of the shell that sticks out and I believe that is what is rubbing on its neck. I would like to know can I file it down or some out trim it off?

Thanks,

[Caphits]

Picture?

[jonb76]

I have tried the sulfur dip at first think it was fungus and with no effect, but I started to notice that the top part of its neck seems to snag on the little piece that sticks out in the middle. So was wondering if that I can file down the middle piece?

[marisa]

That's called the nuchal scute, and it looks like it needs to shed (as do some of those other scutes). Is that white area on the neck from being poked and rubbed by the scute? I'd clean the neck area and put some Neosporin on it (keep the turtle out of the water for a while/30 min. to let some of it sink in). I'd do this daily for a while, at least until it starts looking better. As for that scute, it would be good to clean around it and see if it's starting to get ready to shed (is it loose? does water seep out of the edges if you press on it when he's been in the water?).