General Care Discussion :: Finally! Pix of infamous white spots on shell!

[kikicool]

Okay! So I found that if I stand near an open window at a 45 degree angle, (kidding... kind of) I could get pix of Lily's shell. I had mentioned white spots on it, and now I can show them. They are ugly. I don't see her shed scutes. But obviously some are loose... any thoughts? I'm wondering if it's a fungus or dry skin or something else...?

Here's as close as I could get of her belly.


Here's her carapace, with the sun kinda shining off...


Here's a close up of the white spots on her shell I tried really hard to get.


All advice and opinions welcome! Thanks:)
KT

[jenaero]

The spots on the plastron look pitted so I'd vote shell rot on this one. Easy enough to treat when caught early. Off to the vet for you.

[kikicool]

That would be great to know for sure. Some of the pits are old, and some of the white spots have no pits. Also no funky smell or goo under white spots... Still shell rot? Just making sure Then yes, off to the vet for me. Is this an early case?

[grey goose]

It may be from not enough basking/drying out (I recall you saying something about it)....Gomie (sourpuss) isn't basking much either and I'm keeping one eye on her shell.

[jenaero]

Better safe than sorry I say. No harm in making an appointment to be sure.

[grey goose]

Absolutely.....to the vet with her!

[marisa]

Is the shell hard? It kind of looks like fungus to me. Let us know what the vet says...

[kikicool]

The shell IS hard, but it seems fungal to me, too...

Anyone know a good turtle vet on Long Island? The vet I take my dogs to sees turtles as patients, and he's good with dogs but, I'd love a referral if anyone has one...

[SpotsMama]

Kiki,

Here's a thread on the subject of minor fungus and shell rot.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... =shell+rot

About half way down the first page you'll see a discussion by marisa on treating with Hibiclense. Another person that uses Hibiclense is turtle addict. Both marisa and turtle addict know a lot about turtles.

Hibiclense is a disinfectant hand wash for people that you can get at places like Walgreens. I've used it some on Spot's shell - he's had some awful shell problems - and his shell is now doing ever so much better. It's not just the Hibiclense that's helped - I've corrected his water quality, diet, basking light and temperature, and ph - and I think all have contributed. His shell had white on it just like Lily's but a lot more of it.

Actually, you can see some of the white on Spot on my avatar. Since that photo he's shed most of the remaining white and is looking nice and shiny black.

[kikicool]

Thanks, Spotsmama. I actually DO use the hibiclense...perhaps not as often as I should... I've been sulfadipping them. HOPEFULLY I'll see SOME improvement by Monday. Then, I will hibicleanse each day, I think. But if no improvement by Monday, we're still on for the vet!

One more thought: my "hardness" on the water tests is a bit high. Could these spots be mineral deposits??

[kiwigerman]

i just found a site that may explain the white stuff on the top of the shell.
http://www.hothouseturtles.co.nz/turtle_health.htm

They talk about a bacterial infection. It may not be any use to you but just in case....

[steve]

The white spots always lead me to the bacterial/fungal path. Mineral deposits will make the entire shell whitish/dullish. If the white spots are still spreading, I'd look into the hibiclense and maybe even novalsan if it doesn't work. Sulfadip is not really meant to work with shell conditions (I think thats what the package says) AND I'd avoid using multiple treatments. Stick to the regular treatments of hibiclense and see if there are improvements.

[kikicool]

oh dear, now I am confused. I was using the hibiclense. Didn't seem to have much of an effect either way. I've been using the sulfa dip since Thursdatyy and must say they look better. Steve, I don't see anyhting on the package about that--it says "for "Aids in the treatment, control and prevention of external bacterial diseases, and in the prevention of secondary fungal infections, of aquatic and box turtles." Also, the directions do indicate that the shell should cover the reach the top of an aquatic turtle's shell....??

I was only doing the hibiclense every other day. Maybe once I run through seven days of sulfa dip (per instructions) I will use the hibicleanse every day, instead. Unless, Steve, you think the sulfadip is bad?

One more thing: it could be that she's getting ready to shed. I just realized she's grown quite a bit lately, and is almost as big as Herman now. Anyhoo, I'll still let you know how things turn out.

Thank you all for the advice!!

[steve]

I recalled the sulfa dip for only skin conditions, not shell. I might have recalled the wrong bit of info.

I was only cautioning against using multiple treatments at the same time. Most of these are required to be used on a consistent and regular basis until the condition is corrected.

I really don't have a preference and I honestly have not tried hibiclense. Are Herman and Lily kept together? Is it still spreading on Lily?

[kikicool]

Herman and Lily are kept together, so I am treating him as well. He ahs a few litle shiny spots on his shell but nothing like lily's.

It is hard to tell if they are still spreading on lily. I don't htink so... I am trying to leave them alone more often so she dcan bask in peace. Needlss to say, I also have HUGE plans for a better basking area. I have a dock, but I wonder if the tank is too humid for her to dry off completely.

Good advice about only using one treatment at a time! I will make sure to do so. One last question: by "corrected" does that mean no longer spreading? Or gone? I assume that the spots will be there until the scutes grow out, no?

Thanks again!