Urgent Care :: Could this be septicemia?

[Starchick]

Sorry to deluge you guys with questions. I know I'm a paranoid turtle mama but it seems like it's one problem after another...

Today I had Napoleon out of his tank while I was cleaning it, and was examining his plastron. He hasn't been shedding normally, the edges start to peel up but instead of the whole scute coming up it breaks off in little peices. His bottom layers are starting to look really thick and almost overlap in some places which has me concerned. So while I'm looking at that, I notice a little tiny red dot in the line between his scutes. All I've ever heard is that red means bad, and sometimes septic, and coming only a few days after the last scare (a spot on his leg that suddenly lost all pigment, the vet said it was basically a 'turtle callous', either he rubbed it a lot or it was abraded) it's freaking me out. I'm praying there's nothing more seriously wrong, but I want you guys to have a look at it. Is there anything else I should be looking out for? Various sites have said that they'll be lethargic and hole up inside their shells, but Napoleon's been active as ever. I'll take him back to the vet if I have to, but I really couldn't even afford the last visit Please comment if you have any ideas about this, or about his shell condition/shedding problems, I can't imagine what I'm doing wrong, I've tried to fix everything for him...

[scripta_elegans]

I am not positive, but that looks like a little difference in pigmentation to me. I don't think septacemia would appear as one tiny spot. The term basically means a system wide infection of the blood. If the spot spreads quickly, or he exhibits odd behavior I would go to the vet immediately. Painteds usually have lots of red on the belly don't they? I know it isn't in the same place, but it could be like a freckle or mole on a human?

[Starchick]

I sure hope so... I just know that it's new in the last few days. Thank you for your reply.

[megcornell]

In my opinion, a little spot like that looks more like an injury than septicemia... sort of like a blood blister on someone's finger. I think septicemia should also lead to reddening of the skin, and behavior changes. It's a good thing you noticed the spot, I'd keep an eye on it and your turtle's behavior and if either changes or you see more spots take it to the vets asap.

[marisa]

It looks like some sort of bruise to me. With septicemia, the whole seam would be turning red as would the skin.

[Starchick]

Thank you all for your replies, you've made me feel much better. Is there anything I should be doing to treat whatever it is/prevent infection?

[scripta_elegans]

I would keep an eye on it, and look for any possible things he might have bruised or scratched himself on, but I don't think it requires medical attention as it is now. If it's a bruise it will fade, if it's just different coloring, it will stay the same. If it gets bigger or darker or different, then I would say go to the vet. Has he eaten anything unusually red lately? I know they can pick up pigmentation from food sometimes?

[steve]

If it's under the scutes, there's not much you can do. Just keep an eye on it and keep the water clean

[Starchick]

Yeah, I hadn't realized it but he actually has had quite a bit of red bell pepper lately and bloodworms once. I think it's entirely possible he could have hurt himself while outside of the tank, a few times I've caught him sparring with his reflection in the trashcan, and he doesn't hold back, so he could definitely have smacked himself somehow. I'm keeping him out of the bathroom from now on, to be safe.