Urgent Care :: Grayish Film on head around ears

[kortneyerin]

How big is your turtle? Shell 3 in. long 3 in. wide about 6 1/2 in. From head to toe when spread out
How long have you had it? 10 mons I believe he is around on or about a year old. He was the size of a quarter when I got him.

What is the water temperature? 76-78 degrees
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? About 20 gal.
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes
Are you using any filtration? Yes. A turtle clean 501 canister I plan on getting a better one ASAP

What is the basking temperature? About 90 degrees
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? I'm not sure it's a Zoo Med dock.
Is there a UVB light? Yes

What have you been trying to feed it? Pellets & Green Leaf Lettuce
When was the last time your turtle ate? Last night.

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? About 20 gals. I almost have it full. (I'll be upgrading this summer)
Is the tank near a window? There's a window in the room
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? It's not too bad.

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Yes. On the tip of a scute there is a white spot. It looks rather chalky like. I'll post a pic of that too.

I searched and couldn't find anything on this site, but I did find something elsewhere and the suggest that it's a fungus and to use an anti fungal cream while dry docking for 7 days or until infection is clear, but I'm not so sure about the scute?
I thought that it was possibly skin and took a cotton swab and tried to gently wipe it off, but it didn't come off so easily as his skin on his neck normally does when it's loose and he's shedding.
I always thought that I kept his water really clean. I do a complete water every two weeks, if not sooner. When I do so I also take the filter apart and clean the tubing and every thing. I also do a partial water change daily, use a net and I don't feed him in his tank. Am I keeping it too clean? Or not clean enough?
https://m.flickr.com/photos/100580798@N06/13589657004/lightbox/
https://m.flickr.com/photos/100580798@N06/13589828173/lightbox/

[steve]

Not sure what the greyish film could be and he's probably too young to have any melanism. Is it on both sides? Have you dried dock him yet or tried any treatments?

I don't think the white spot is anything... it could just be some mineral deposit. Have you tried scrubbing it with a toothbrush?

[kortneyerin]

Yes the film is on both sides. I have not tried anything at all yet. Do you suggest I try an anti-fungal cream and dry docking him for that? And is it safe to put it on his head that close to his eyes? Also do I keep him dry 24 hours a day? He doesn't seem to like it too much at all. When I'm cleaning his tank I put him in my bathtub without any water in it. What should I put him in for that and do I still put the lighting on him?

As for the white spot, I do brush his shell with a toothbrush, but I haven't really been brushing the white spot just around it. That entire side of his shell seems to be growing faster than the other. As you can see in the pic the tips of his shell looks to me like it'll be shedding soon, but idk. This is all new to me that's why when something new happens I'm always on here bugging you guys. It's been like that for about a month now and I've just been monitoring it. It looks like it may be underneath of the tip of the scute.

[steve]

I'd try some dry-docking and using some diluted betadine before I try any cream. Those are usually pretty effective against skin fungus. If you want to dry-dock all day long, you will need to rehydrate every few hours. A basking light at one end is recommended.

The white spot looks like its just partially shedding. I don't see anything of concern right now, unless I'm looking in the wrong area.

[kortneyerin]

Cool! Thanks Steve! I'll pick up some Betadine tomorrow and give it a try. Should I dry dock until it clears up? And how do I apply the Betadine/Water solution. Should I soak him in it or just apply it to his skin with a cotton ball?

[steve]

I'd try it for a few days since we're not sure what we are dealing with. For diluted betadine on skin areas, use cotton balls. This could stain your clothes, so be careful.

[kortneyerin]

So far two days of the Betadine solution. I've also been dry docking him for a couple of hours each day. I'll update in about a week. Sooner if I begin to see results.