Urgent Care :: Rammy my turtle is sick I think, please help me diagnose him

[Bascomb]

I found the silver sulfadiazine at Canada pharmacy. It looks like you can order it from there. Check with vet first. --- Not cheap. b

[SpotsMama]

Sulfa dip is fine but it's very mild. It will help with mild conditions but in this case, if it were me, I'd start with something stronger.

The Nolvasan Marisa mentioned is very good - it's similar to Hibiclense but in a much more concentrated form. You need to dilute it according the instructions that come with it. In addition to Nolvasan (or Hibiclense if you can't get Nolvasan) I strongly recommend the SSD cream. It is very effective.

The SSD needs to be applied to the damaged areas when they are dry, after the wash or soak with Nolvasan (or Hibiclense) then the turtle needs to be kept dry for awhile to let the medicine work. Overnight dry dock is a good amount of time to keep the turtle dry but some people recommend much more dry time. When my turtle had a shell problem, it was more than just fungus, and the vet had me keep him dry for almost 2 weeks, with only a couple of hours a day in the water for eating and drinking.

These shell infections can be very stubborn if they are extensive. It usually takes aggressive treatment to heal them.

[mcghee.kevin]

where do I get Nolvasan?

[SpotsMama]

You can get it from a vet or you can buy it on-line. Just google Nolvasan. The only problem with buying it on-line (at least this was my experience) is that you can only buy really big bottles of it - more than you'll ever need - and then it's expensive. If a vet could give you just a little bottle it would probably cost less. If you get it from the vet, why don't you ask them to dilute it for you because they'll know how much water to add.

You might also be able to find Nolvasan in a large pet store but I haven't been able to find it around here.

[mcghee.kevin]

And that only works if the vet is willing to do it cause its a reptile, so far I havent found a vet willing to deal with me cause theres not herp vets in the area

[industrial_girl_2000]

Mcghee - Last year, my Sheba had the same white spots you described. When I took her to the vet, she gave me some betadyne solution to put on the white spots to disinfect. Then I had to let Sheba dry out for about an hour after I applied the betadyne. I had to do this a few times a week for about a month. In the meantime, I kept Sheba's water very clean too.

What kind of UVB light do you have? I have a 100W Powersun UV (one of the MVB bulbs that has VERY strong UVB). Powerful UVB can help your turtle's shell recover. After about 8 months of Sheba basking under that light, the white spots started chipping off, revealing dark brown healthy shell underneath. I should also mention that I have a 90-gallon tank, so having a very powerful MVB lamp is not a problem. If you get a Powersun (or any other MVB) lamp, you need a minimum 75 gallon tank to prevent the lamp from heating the water too much.

If you buy a new MVB lamp, shop online (it will be cheaper).

Regarding feeding: My Sheba gets lettuce or some other kind of veggie daily (pellets every 2 days). Veggies/lettuce have a lot of good substances in them that help shell growth/recovery. It's the reason those Tortoises (dry land turtles) have such a thick heavy shell.

Otherwise, your turtle looks fairly healthy in the pics. I think he just needs a stronger daily dose of UVB & more veggies. I think he will recover beautifully in time. Of course, since they are turtles, it takes a long time to recover (months) but it is worth it once they do. Keep us updated!

[marisa]

Actually, Hibiclens is more concentrated (4%) than the Nolvasan I get (2%). If you do get Nolvasan and it needs to be diluted, make a 2% solution of it. If you happen to use the Hibiclens, mix it 50/50 with water. Betadine is an option as well.

A while back there were complaints on another forum about ordering Nolvasan on line. It seems the expiration date had passed or it was close to expiring.

I'd use the Nolvasan. Whatever you use, make sure those areas are getting dry and that your turtle can bask under proper lighting.

[mcghee.kevin]

Thanks, your responses make me feel better. My problem is that I cant get the little guy to bask, he wont go under the light, and I have an 18" flouresent tube right now but im in the middle of a above tank basking area that will get a better uva/b lamp. But I still cant get him to bask, thats the problem.. he will not go into his area, everythings in place to bask, the temps are right he just wont go up there. Ive made it hotter and cooler, nothing. I am thinking I need to force bask hime. And I know hes not basking while im not home cause I have my webcam recording his basking area all day and nothing.

[SpotsMama]

Maybe after so many years of not being able to bask his instinct to bask is dulled. I do know he has to spend some time dry and under a good UVB light or he'll never get well. Where do you live - are you in a place where it's warm enough you could take him outside into the sunshine for awhile? If not, I suppose you'll have to find a way to have him dry under a good UVB light for awhile every day until he gets the hang of regular basking.

The danger will be if he's not able to get away from the light if it the UVB is too intense or if it's too hot. Normally, if the basking area is too hot or if the light is hurting their eyes, turtles can dive back into the water where it's comfortable and safe. What you could do is be sure there's a shaded area the turtle can retreat to if it gets to be too much under the light bulbs. If you do this, watch him for signs of stress or if he seems to be drying out too much and let him go back into his tank, then adjust the light bulbs so they're further away and try again.

[mcghee.kevin]

Yah I live where its cold right now, we just got 2 feet of snow..... I will probably have to resort to foced basking here pretty quick. I would assume that an indication that its too hot would be him hiding in his shell but if hes enjoying it he would certainly be out and streching in the sun and what not

[steve]

The white spots in pic 3 look more like a bone layer than fungus or rot. If it has a rough texture (dry, coarse) then that is what I suspect it to be. I'm not sure what all this "forced basking" talk is all about though we do mention "dry docking" often. Provide a large, warm enclosed area for your turtle to dry off, preferably with one end lighted with basking and UVB lights.

[Bascomb]

I agree with Steve about forced basking. I think that dry-docking in a warm dry place would be a better choice. I would hate for you to dehydrate or cook the little guy.

[industrial_girl_2000]

The white spots in pic 3 look more like a bone layer than fungus or rot. If it has a rough texture (dry, coarse) then that is what I suspect it to be. I'm not sure what all this "forced basking" talk is all about though we do mention "dry docking" often. Provide a large, warm enclosed area for your turtle to dry off, preferably with one end lighted with basking and UVB lights.

Steve's right.....it looks like bone layer & that's what Sheba's problem was too. lots of UVB & lots of good veggies will allow the turt's shell to recover nicely. If you have to, take the turtle out of the water & put him in a comfortable dry place for several hours under a UVB lamp *at least* 5 times a week.

[mcghee.kevin]

Well I might now have to dry dock, my gf called me at work today to tell me when she came home for lunch Rammy was perched high and dry and under the sun awaiting a margarita lol... and when I came home he was on there still so mabe he never came off!!! anyways hopefully when my above tank baskingh platform is built he will use that too..... thou I think my 90 watt heat lamp will be too hot and will have to downsize.

[mcghee.kevin]

Lol now im starting to worry about him sitting on his rock so long, hes been on there for an hour and a half.... is there too long a time to be under his basking light?