Urgent Care :: treating fungus

[rana]

I was reading on a website that you can try to treat shell fungus with 5% iodine. I have been looking a pics of other turtles on this site and I believe my turtles have it. I have also been looking up silver sulfadiazine, looking for a vet in my area that knows something about turtles. Just wondering if it really is safe to put iodine on a turtles shell?

[steve]

Betadine (10% povidone-iodine) is usually used to treat small and minor wounds, I don't think many people use 5% iodine. As for effectiveness, it did not work for me at all when treating fungus. Silver sulfadiazine initially worked for me but has not been effective in subsequent cases.

[rana]

So what else is there?

[steve]

That's about it. Preventive care and shedding are probably the best actions to take.

[rana]

Ok So I can dry dock them for how long and should there be a dish of water? I painted their shells with the iodine as the web site stated I plan on letting them stay dry an hour or so then wash it off? Dont want it to get in the water do I? When I got them they both had a couple of spots but I just thought it was because they were basking and getting dry. Geez! I only wanted them to be happy and healthy! I will do my best, hopefully something will work. Thanks.

[rana]

Also you said that some people believe that blueberries help them to shed? Maybe I should try that as well.

[steve]

What site gave you directions to use iodine? I can't offer an opinion without knowing what they suggest as a treatment plan.

[rana]

It was a site that had common problems with different types of Turtles and then the common treatment for it, I was looking for a vet at the time so I really dont remember what the name of it was just stumbled on it. If your turtle had a fungus on its shell what would you do?

[steve]

Habitat corrections and I would try silver sulfadiazine.

[rana]

thank you