Urgent Care :: Shell issues

[lmcturtles]

My turtle has had an indent on his shell for a few weeks now. It is cracked on the side and isn't growing as fast as the other. It is a tanish white color. I don't know if there is a vet in my area that specializes in exotic pets, so any help for now would be appreciated.


How big is your turtle? Xlarge egg
How long have you had it? 1.5 yrs

What is the water temperature? 80 degrees
Did you use a thermometer? no
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? 5 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? no
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? 60 watt bulb
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? plastic ramp
Is there a UVB light? no

What have you been trying to feed it? dried shrimp
When was the last time your turtle ate? this morning

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 20 gallon
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? moderate, not constant

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? no, he eats and swims, but the one side of his shell is discolored and cracked on the side

[RyanJ]

Where do you live? Does it have any tankmates who could've caused the crack? You need a UVB light for his basking area, it helps their digestion and shell growth. Invest in a pair of thermometers as well, to check water temp and basking temp.

[marisa]

Indented isn't the same as cracked---which is it? Can you post a pic of the shell when it's dry?

Your RES(?) sounds quite small for his age, and from what you wrote about his habitat and diet (both are lacking), that is most likely why.

It would be good to do some reading on what your turtle needs for healthy growth. Start looking for a herp vet have the injury(?) and your turtle checked out.