Urgent Care :: Septicemia???

[Eskander]

*picture removed*

I'm really concerned that my turtle could have septicemia!! He's had this red coloring since I got him. Any thoughts?

[marisa]

That's not septecemia (the seam would be reddish as well). Since the pattern is the same on both sides, is the basking area abrasive at all? (If so, he could be rubbing the sides a little if he moves around on it.)

Seeing this on hatchlings is not really uncommon. Growth could also be playing a part in the coloration of the plastron. Do you see how on some of the blotches (I think the first and third largest pair in particular) look like they have a little shadow to them (it looks a little out of focus)? That's also due to growth; the blotches will be more in focus when a turtle is not growing very quickly.

What's the carapace look like?

[Eskander]

That's a relief! But does this mean he's growing too fast? I made a thread about whether I was feeding him/her too much. I think I'll start feeding 4 pellets daily rather than 5-7 and give only lettuce on some days. He already eats anything I give him/her at such a young age!

The carapace looks fine except for a split scute which I made a thread about. I have been told that a split scute means it's a female. That's too bad because I wanted a male... don't wanna have to deal with the problem of eggs plus they're smaller. Is there any chance it's a male?

Also there is a white line along the spine but I heard that's normal in smaller turtles too.

[steve]

The main clue for overfeeding younger turtles are the seams between the scutes on the carapace. A split scute does not indicate gender, and yes, younger RES might have a ridge the is brighter in color (usually yellowish).

[marisa]

If he was growing really fast, you'd see a wide seam on both the carapace and plastron. The picture of the plastron doesn't indicate this, nor does the one of the carapace you posted in a previous thread. Hatchlings do have growth spurts (normal), so if what you're giving him isn't too much, I wouldn't necessarily cut down on his food that much (if you gave 5 pellets instead of 5 - 7, you still be cutting down some). And some vegetable matter should be offered daily.

Split/extra scutes do not indicate 100% that you have a female. In my response to you in your other thread, I indicated that I have a RES and an Eastern Painted that have such scutes---both are males. You'll know more definitively what the sex is when your RES reaches around 4 inches (shell length without the curve).