Urgent Care :: Shell problem. Please help.

[ndtang]

Hi,
Please help. There has been some slight problem with the shell. It's kinda difficult to explain. It is a slight whitish scar like thing on the shell.










The problem started last week. I suspect it was shell rot and I started taking them outside for the sun for 2 hours daily but the situation does not improve or worsen. I feed them everyday with a mixture of commercial turtle food, anchovies and dried shrimps. They are quite active and doesn't seem to have been suffering. Is there anything wrong with the diet ? Is there anything more that I can do ?

[jenaero]

The only thing I think you can do is get him to a vet. From what I've seen, that doesn't look like typical shell rot. Almost looks like an injury of sorts. Marisa may know what it is.

[marisa]

In the very first picture, when he's wet, I was thinking shell rot. In the pics when he's dry, though, it looks more like old rot. The under growth looks abnormal, though. Is the area soft? Is there an odor? I'd have it checked out as well.

The turtle looks like he needs to shed. I'd stop feeding the anchovies--I've never seen any that are packed in water, and they're way too salty for turtles.

[ndtang]

Thanks guys for the quick reply.

The area is not soft and there aren't any smell. I live in malaysia and it's kinda difficult to get a proper vet that is knowledgeable in turtles.

It's not an old rot as this kind of situation only emerges at most last 2 weeks. I could not find a proper UV light yet but the turtles get at least 2 hours of sunshine daily in another container.

I only started feeding him a mixture with anchovies after the problem arises. That is why i am sure the problem is not caused by anchovies. The anchovies are the dried types typically found in asian marketplace and not salty at all and i have to put them in hot water for 20 minutes so that they are soft enough for the turtles. Then I rinse the anchovies to clean it. Plus it's a good source of calcium.

It's been 2 weeks now and it doesn't seem to get worse or improve. I am wondering what more could I do. The turtle seems to grow quite fast. Is there any danger of the turtle outgrowing it's shell ? It's only 4.4 cm long (about 1.7inches). If it is really an injury, will the shell heal itself or do i need certain shell medications ?

[marisa]

Don't know where you are in Malaysia, but there's the name of a person here:

http://www.arav.org/Members/Malaysia.htm

Are there any other zoos or similar places near you you could contact for help?

I'd try to find someone, but in the meantime, keep giving unfiltered sunlight to bask under. I'd also increase the calcium i their diet. Let us know what happens.

[FluffytheFighter]

Fluffy the Fighter!
Fluffy, named after his curious personality and not sex, has been in the family for almost four years. My wife and I rescued him from the evil grips of my little brother who took Fluffy from my father’s pool out in the country. Since that kidnapping from the wild, Fluffy has lived a very rough life. He would go missing from his algae infested tank, too small for him to grow, for days, venturing around the house until discovered by an over weight lazy cat. Luckily, it was a lazy cat! We rescued Fluffy and boarded our plane back to Virginia. FYI, turtles, they don’t mind flying as long as they have a window seat. And yes, to our surprise no one said a word about our new family addition. While with us Fluffy has gone from a 5 gallon tank, to a 10, to 20 gallon and he loves his home. Unfortunately, from being mistreated at my brother’s home, his shell has always been deformed, frail, and just not appealing. One morning, while I was cleaning the tank, I walked into the other room to find Lucy our dog, short for Lucifer, was throwing Fluffy up in the air, catching him, and chewing on him as if he was her newest toy. Freaking out, I discovered just how hard it is to find a vet for him. Fluffy lost an eight of his shell in two spots and suffered a lot of trauma. But he’s a true fighter, he’s live and well. The vet said we can improve his shell condition with two things, a broader spectrum of UV light and a more vegetable diet. So to NdTang, Fluffy’s shell looked and still looks worse but similar, so try a more spectrum light. We’re now using a hydroponic light for a wider spectrum.

[marisa]

When you say broader spectrum of light, you mean a UVB light, I hope. A full-spectrum light doesn't necessarily emit UVB rays--it has to say it on the package.

If your turtle can get outside for direct sunlight (temps permitting), that's the best light of all.

[FluffytheFighter]

My Bad!, I mean a broader UV, it's cheaper and can be more energy efficient to get it from a hydroponics store. I also grow herbs and greens inside Fluffy’s tank in large clay pots. He can’t reach them but it makes for nice scenery and cheaper cost. Unfortunately, we are all at work during the day so the only natural sun light comes reflected from the sky light above his tank.

[marisa]

I don't think a plant light is the same as a UVB light for reptiles...