General Care Discussion :: Shedding, White Shell, Nutrition?

[skm467]

Last year, probably around December, my friend could not keep her RES turtle anymore, so my mother had the brightest idea of "saving" it, and giving it to me.
Now I'm stuck with this turtle, as no one wants to take it.
I might as well keep it anyways.

Long story short, I guess I am some type of saving grace for this turtle because my friend wasn't even treating it right, and the water quality was horrible.
The water I saw the turtle in was sometimes dark green to murky brown. She said it was "normal", but it reeked. It was because of overfeeding (she used to feed a whole cap full of shrimp a day!!!)Now I see why the mom was trying to get rid of it.
Anyways, I had to buy a new filter, and I was able to see a huge difference in the water. It is basically clear now.

But the turtle still looks...not so good I suppose?
My turtle still has been shedding since I've gotten her. I mean, she got better, because it used to be WAY worse due to overfeeding. She still sheds a bit on her feet, and around her neck.
But people said if she continues to shed, that isn't good. I don't know what I'm doing wrong? If anyone is out there, I'm begging, please give me some tips.

I also have some questions about her shell, I sit a little bit of white spots, but not too much. It's probably only 3 white spots, but I don't want it to get worse. I think it's fungi. Is there anything I could put on her shell that won't harm her, and will make her better?

Also, Nutrition? What should I feed her daily? I know I'm lacking in her diet, all I do is feed her sticks. She won't eat greens or carrots, but she LOVES sweets. (grapes..but not strawberries).

So my question is, any tips on these problems?
She's about 3-4 years old, and I feed her ReptoMin sticks, a pinch-full of them. (probably about 10-12 of these mini sticks). Everytime I feed her dried shrimp, she poops like crazy, so I try to avoid it. It's the mini shrimps, so I'm thinking about getting huger ones for her. I think I change the water too often, once a week. I don't have a water heater, so the water is around 75 degrees. I add hot water sometime to make it up to 80.

Any suggestions is greatly needed. I'm about to go out later to buy some turtle things for her.
Thank you!!! Hopefully someone sees this.

[xcristina]

Welcome to the forum!
Well, to start with, a few pics would help us see what you mean by shedding too much and what is happening to her shell. You don't mention anything about lights, whether you have UVB and heat (a simple halogen or incandescent bulb would be enough for heat). The temps are probably ok, but a heater could help you keep them constant, you also don't need to raise them to 80.
As for food, Reptomin is ok, maybe you should get another can of turtle food, so she could have a more diversified diet. Keep trying the veggies, and give her grapes only as a treat, that is only once or twice a month (too much sugar, turtles would not eat grapes in the wild).
Do you have a name for her? Are you even sure it's a she? A pic would help us tell you, if you need help with that.
I can see from your post that you weren't so happy with the rescue, but it seems you're trying to do what's best for the little one, and for that you have all my admiration and support. You'll see that she'll be growing on you pretty quickly!
Good luck, keep us posted!

[steve]

I'd try some tough love and strictly limit protein, and always offer veggies. Don't give in to the begging.

She could have have some permanent damage/deformities associated to bad husbandry. Those tend to not go away, depending what they are and how severe. 75F is fine unless you think she's sick, then I would bump it up to 78-80.

Also try Omega-One pellets, that's one of the best pellets out there.