Urgent Care :: Unusual marks / bumps

This is not a substitute for qualified and relevant veterinarian care.
Read this before you post a new topic here.

Post Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 1:36 pm   Unusual marks / bumps

Hi, my res has developed white-ish patches with a black dot in the middle over the red marks behind his eyes. My husband claims they have been there about 2 days. Galileo is about 7.5 years old, male, generally good health. Lives in a 50 - 60 gallon tank, with a 35 watt metal halide lamp. He basks regularly, eats regularly, sometimes fresh meats and fruits, sometimes dried turtle food. He has a fluval fx5 with an ultraviolet steriliser to keep his water clean. Photo attached[img][img][/img][/img]
Attachments
IMG_0135.JPG
Staplekey
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Apr 9, 2017

Post Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:50 pm   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

Not sure I see anything of concern. His is melanastic, so his coloring is going to get darker/duller. What kind of fresh meats are you using?
User avatar
steve
Site Admin
 
Posts: 31430
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 11:42 pm   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

Hi, sorry, what does melanistic mean?? He sometimes gets a little bit of bacon or roast chicken when I make that. The marks I notice are the larger pale blotches with the black dot right in the centre. At first I was concerned he had ear abscesses, but they are less bumpy today...
Staplekey
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Apr 9, 2017

Post Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 2:52 am   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

Melanism is a development of the pigment melanin in the skin and shell. So his colors will be darker/grayer and more muted. Some of the stripes will fade, some will look like spots. I don't think bacon is good, some boiled white chicken meat is fine. How long have you had him?
User avatar
steve
Site Admin
 
Posts: 31430
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 4:37 am   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

We've had him for over seven years.
Staplekey
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Apr 9, 2017

Post Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:09 am   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

I've spoken to a vet, and shown him the same photograph. He thinks there may be an ear abscess. He has advised that we feed him just turtle pellets (the ones with added vitamin A) for a little while, and to make sure his habitat is well kept. Do you have any other advice as to what we should be doing differently, I'm happy to hear suggestions!
Staplekey
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Apr 9, 2017

Post Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:29 am   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

Looks normal with age. They just don't stay that cute lite green with all the marking as babies have. Some feel that why so many end up thrown in the wild not cute anymore. It's ugly... to them not me I say handsome.
I found over my years a Regular Vet (dog and cat) can only say lets give it a vitamin shot. Not knowing reptiles very well.
Do you have any Herpetologist Vet's in your area. They specialize in reptiles and amphibians ! They treat turtles all the time.
But my opinion is your friend is just getting older and losing those baby markings / color.
litefoot
 
Posts: 1647
Joined: Nov 7, 2016
Location: New Orleans
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:53 am   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

The vet I referred too was a specialist in reptiles. Would have to travel 15 miles on public transport to take Galileo - and I'm 8 months pregnant!!! We'll keep an eye on him over the next few days. My only concern is that he could be in pain, and I don't want that for any animal. As long as my scaly, furry and unborn babies are safe and we'll, that's fine with me. Is it normal for them to lose the red stripes that they have on their heads then?? Can't seem to find much information about this on the net!!!
Staplekey
 
Posts: 8
Joined: Apr 9, 2017

Post Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:28 pm   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

Best for Galileo all will be good. Congratulations on being 8 months , children are great !
litefoot
 
Posts: 1647
Joined: Nov 7, 2016
Location: New Orleans
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:38 pm   Re: Unusual marks / bumps

I don't see an abscess. Those are usually lighter in color since the skin is stretching a bit. I would look into a good staple pellet for him, like Omega One or Mazuri.
User avatar
steve
Site Admin
 
Posts: 31430
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male


Return to Urgent Care

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests