General Care Discussion :: Cruddy Skute Shed

[penelope]

This isn't a question; it's an informational post.
As we know, everything rolls down hill. In this case, the cruddy skute shed is just another result of calcium deficiency. Not to say that calcium is always the cause, but something to think about...

While Penelope was gravid with grossly calcium deficient eggs, and losing claws on her feet due to the same deficiency, her little (OK big) shell was trying to grow. Now, while happily recovered for months there is still this stinky shed.
A reminder of the long-term effects of a poor diet.

I have done a ton of research on the role calcium plays in a turtle's health. It may seem like a minor issue, but it can affect virtually every part of their body.
I thought losing the claw was a figment of my imagination, but have since learned that it does happen in cases of severe calcium deficiency.
I was initially discouraged by the shed, but then I was ecstatic to see that the claws I thought were gone forever are now nubs (she is still missing one, but it has been missing since we found her).
To me, its a sign that she is now getting enough calcium. Therefore, the shed must be the last remnant of a poor diet 6-12 months ago (speculation, perhaps, but I am convinced)

The bottom line: never underestimate the value of calcium and the ramifications of an insufficient amount. It may not be apparent today, but down the road...well...

So keep those high calcium diets going, the UVB lights current (AKA change them out per their end-of-life specs) and the cuttle bone available! The pay off is great; the loss is detrimental.

So here is her cruddy shred: paper thin and ragged (all her previous sheds have been 'clean' and had some substance to them)

[steve]

Pretty interesting. Fungus also makes shedding so much worse too, almost like wet paper. What ways have you been giving her more calcium?

[sweety10189110]

Pretty interesting. Fungus also makes shedding so much worse too, almost like wet paper. What ways have you been giving her more calcium?

I'm interested in this as well. Mine doesn't give 2 licks about his turtle calcium thing.

[apondfortimmy]

I'm chiming in here to ask how as well; my little turtles devour the thing, but my big turtles don't even tough their cuttlebone, either cut into pieces or whole.

[penelope]

Hey! I have been on jury duty and haven't had a chance to provide a comprehensive answer. This is one of those where I would rather give no answer, than a half-informed one.
In short: There are greens that are extremely high in calcium, but equally high in oxalate. Boiling the greens and draining the water drastically reduces the oxalate, but other nutrition is lost as well (we all know the wives' tale about boiling out nutrition). So it is all about balancing the gain and the loss. When I am done with my civic duty, I'll pull together my little chart. Then you can make some educated mix-and-match choices.
Sorry for the half answer, but...

[penelope]

PS - Dandelions are the best 'off-the-shelf' option as far as the calcium v. oxalate battle goes.
Higher calcium options get into the convoluted stuff mentioned above.

[apondfortimmy]

PS - Dandelions are the best 'off-the-shelf' option as far as the calcium v. oxalate battle goes.
Higher calcium options get into the convoluted stuff mentioned above.

So if they're dandelion green lovers, I shouldn't worry as much as I do?
Because just today I shook my head at the uneaten cuttlebone. Again.

[cutepanda86]

Sheldon still hasn't shed at all. I mean he's finally defeated the fungus and he's back to basking on his own but no scute shedding. How do I know when he needs to/will start to shed?

[steve]

Having all the calcium they can consume doesn't mean much without UVB or vitamin D3 to metabolize it. If they have plenty of both, they'll be fine.

As for shedding, there is no precise answer as to when. The first shed ranges from 1 year to 4 years, so it is something hard to predict.

[cutepanda86]

Ah I see. Well good to know. I'll keep trying the calcium then. Thanks Steve!

[steve]

Had a typo in my 11/13 post, but I think you understand me

[cutepanda86]

I do, thanks.

[penelope]

yep. i was just talking tummy factor. absolutely must have proper lighting to pull it all together. almost back to real life. will post my food stuff soon.

[cutepanda86]

Awesome.

[penelope]

She doesn't seem to be able to lose her skutes. They are 'standing' up along the sides of her carapace, but not coming off. she also has some spots on top that are paper thin and lifted 1/2 way. They have been this way for weeks. Some parts are breaking off around the raised edges, but the skute themselves are not coming off. I have been giving her Betadyne soaks once a week and lightly scrubbing under the retained skutes with a little toothbrush to prevent any 'whatever' from growing in under the raised area. Kind of stinks
She basks all day and her shell gets really dry, but they won't come off.
Been giving her sweet potato every couple days just in case.
Quite frustrating considering how easily she shed them in the past...but it all goes back to the long term effects of calcium deficiency - I guess.