Urgent Care :: Treating Fungal Shell Rot

[LKitsch]

One of my RES's has shell rot, and I have begun to treat her based on what I have learned here, in books and from the reptile lady at my local pet store:

Scraped away soft rotted area
Cleaned her up with an anti-bacterial
Applied extra-strength Lamisil as a fungicide
Repeat anti-bacterial and fungicide twice a day

I understand that I need to do this for at least a week, perhaps two. My questions are this:

1. I am told I need to keep her out of water all the time, except for an hour a day for feeding. I will return her to the pond for that time, unless I need to set up a more sterile environment in the bath tub. I should leave her "in dry dock" the other 23 hours of the day, including overnight---correct? Is it OK for her to not have any water most of the time?

2. Do I need to worry about limited access to a basking lamp during this time? She will have some access to sunny areas, but for the most part will be shaded. I am in So. Cal., so it's warm now---is this OK?

Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

Here's a good description of treatment for shell rot (look about halfway down the page):

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm

The main difference I see (besides a difference in the specific medications recommended - and your vet has probably prescribed good alternates) is that when the turtle is hydrated each day, this site recommends soaking in clean fresh water. That sounds much better to me than putting her in a pond where she'd be exposed to more bacteria.


Has the infection penetrated the shell? Has there been any bleeding?

[LKitsch]

This is helpful---thank you!

[steve]

How much you need to keep her out of the water depends on the extent and type of shellrot. If there are other turtles in the pond, I would keep her out of there and inside with as much of a complete setup as possible (UVA/UVB, basking light, water heater, etc). Keep things clean when you are soaking, cleaning and feeding her.

I would still be very reluctant to try Lamisil on a turtle. Silver Sulfadiazine is considered to be highly effective. I think this page is worth reading: http://www.turtlecare.net/shell.htm

[marisa]

I've asked this of someone (maybe you?) before....why Lamisil? I once actually went to a CVS (a chain pharmacy) and read the label on this product, and everything it said led me to believe it shouldn't be used for shell rot. If it were me, I'd let the turtle get hydrated twice a day, like every 12 hours. And she should be hydrated in a setup that has clean water in it, not in a pond, shared by other turtles.

The Silver Sulfadiazine is good, but you need to get it from a vet. You might also try Nolvasan, also available from a vet.

Getting some sunlight on the shell would really be beneficial as well.

[LKitsch]

Lamisil is an anti-fungal used for nail fungus in people. Why would it not be good for shell rot? I am using a concentrated iodine based anti-septic, as well.

[marisa]

On the box, if I remember correctly, it says the product is for fungal infections, mainly jock itch. It also says not to use it on nails. Scutes are made of the same substance as nails (keratin), so I wouldn't use to treat scute problems.

[LKitsch]

The reason it is not recommended for nails is because in humans, the fungus is underneath the nail, and the cream cannot penetrate. But Lamisil does kill fungus, and is often dispensed in liquid or pill form for people. So, on a turtle, if the shell is cleaned up and the fungus scraped off, Lamisil will work on the surface of the shell. That said, I broke down and went to the vet, who prescribed Miconosol, another anti-fungal agent, at prescription strength. He advised to continue to use iodine (betadine is an iodine solution) to kill bacteria. The fact is that there are only a few basic drugs and just about everything else is a variation on a theme.

[marisa]

All I can say is that I went to a pharmacy and looked at the package. Under Warnings, it says:

Do not use

-on nails or scalp

-in/near mouth or eyes

-for vaginal yeast infections

If the reason Lamisil is not recommended for nails in humans is because it cannot penetrate, then I wonder why it's also not recommended for those other areas where it can penetrate (and I think substances can penetrate the nails, perhaps not that well, otherwise there would be no allergies to some ingredients like those found in some nail polishes, etc.). I'm aware that Lamisil is prescribed to be taken internally, but I've been told that it doesn't always work, is expensive, and if it does work takes a fair amount of time to take effect. Also, a person on oral Lamisil should be monitored for liver problems...

I took the package to a pharmacist, who was unaware of the warning of the use on nails and whose jaw dropped when I asked about using Lamisil on a turtle's shell for fungus. She said people do come looking for it for fungus relief (she didn't say what kind), but speculated that using it on human nails as opposed to a turtle's shell involved a lot less body surface area, and for a turtle therefore potentially more exposure to chemicals that could be harmful, especially if used repeatedly over time. She said she wouldn't recommend it, but if your vet says it's OK, what can I say?

At any rate, I'm glad to hear that you took the turtle in to be seen. At the very least, it sounds like what was prescribed will help clear up the problem more quickly than the Lamisil.

[kaimarion]

Hope you turtle gets well soon...
Shell rot sounds nasty .