General Care Discussion :: Help identifying shell condition

[opiter]

So this is in continuation from this thread. I felt it better to be in this section since it relates to the turtle's health.

I'm trying to determine if she has an early case of shell rot, some type of fungus or mineral deposits.

Here it looks like the edge of the shell has either been chipped away or eaten away but it has not. Just a weird angle.

I took her out and dryed her off. Its the best shot i could get with a turtle in one hand and my phone in the other.

[opiter]

Here are some more shots.

She finally stopped long enough to strike a pose!

I've been reading up on a bunch of home redemdies for slight cases of shell rot. Anybody here have any success with them?

[sflemin2]

I could guess shell rot too but I am not an expert on shell conditions. I know they reccomend dry docking and cleaning the wound. Do you have any iodine to put on it?

[steve]

White and spotty is fungus. It stays hard, lightens up when dry. May flake off a little if you scratch it. Spreads quickly... does that describe it?

[opiter]

Nah it stays the same color wet or dry and it hasn't grown much, it was just there one day and hasn't gon away since. Her shell is still hard as ever and I don't know about the flaking part, never really touched it. Tomorrow is my day off so I'll be able to spend some more time with her and check things out.

IF it is fungus, what is the plan of attack on that? Short of going to the vet of course.

[steve]

It stays whiter depending on how deep it's penetrating. Usually when it's just starting in a small area, it might not stand out when dry. A vet visit would be a good idea, and thats the only way you can get silver sulfadiazine.

[sflemin2]

That silver stuff is pretty amazing. I have never used it on a turtle but my dog skinned the pads of his feet (it was AWFUL) and he healed in less than a week!

[steve]

It worked miracles for me the first time, but either there are resistant fungal strains or these are quick to build resistance. That's why I always say to make sure the tank is perfect to reduce the chances of it happening again.

[opiter]

So yesturday I decided to try my luck with some home treatment. I took her out and placed her in a big box with a towel and the trusty lava lamp base for heat. She didn't like the idea that much but she soon came around and started exploring. Once she was dry and less freaked out I started to gently scrape the area with a credit card. Most of it came of with only a few flakes of scutes. I wiped the area with some peroxide and let her dry and cruise around the box. I did this about the times then turned to the triple antibiotic cream. Two times with the cream and here's the results...

2011-09-09 12.28.21-1.jpg (15.75 KiB) Viewed 4556 times

It looks to be gone but of course I'm going to keep an eye on it. Day 2 and so far so good.

On a side note the kids have named her Lea!

2011-09-09 12.28.40-1.jpg (15.5 KiB) Viewed 4556 times

[Lizzy]

My turtle has white spots on his shell that seem to disappear when I remove him from the water. They are no longer white. He has a good appetite, basks regularly and seems very content. The shell is hard. What do you think?

[steve]

Hi Lizzy, can you post a picture of the area? Fungus can appear to disappear, especially when it's a new/spreading infection.

[Lizzy]

Hi my RES is shedding his shell in sheets. Is that normal? I’ve been finding them in the bottom of the tank and clogging my filter hose. He’s eating fine and basking. I have a uva and uvb light in a 75 gal tank.

[devilduck]

Lizzy, Yes that is normal shell shedding, they will also shed their skin. You'll see it peeling off in fine wisps.

[Lizzy]

Thank you for your reply, I was worried. I never saw him shed like this before. He is getting a lot bigger and is very heavy. He's a friendly guy who likes attention and is quit a beggar.

[popasquat]

Hi I was wondering if anyone can tell me whats wrong with these turtle's shells. They are my friends turtles, I am doing this on behalf of him.

The shell is bumpy on the one which is more severely damaged, and on the underside of both they has white patches too.

Thanks