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August 2003 She's a tiny baby, I rescued her that summer






August 2005 Much bigger, she shot up that summer





May 2006 Last month trying to fit in a slipper

What a cutie! It seems that when people lose their turts in their house, that people always say check dark areas like shoes. Well, she found her shoe!

She looks really good in the eyes, but I'm a bit concerned about the curving of the shell. The edging of the shell shouldn't curve up like that, and if I am not mistaken is a sign of metabolic bone disease. Someone else can correct me on that if need be. I'd wait and see what others say.

In regards to some of your other posts though, don't hesitate to fill it up!

Don't scare me!

Look at the baby pics, has it always been like that? I rescued her from starvation, she was near death. Could this have impacted her health??

I took her to the vet in February and they said she looked great. They weight her, measured her and poked her alot. Her poop was good as well. Should I take her again?

Wait and see what others think...I was throwing it out there for discussion. I'm not that expert that some of the others on here are. Don't freak out yet!

It's probably more a case of neglect. You can't blame yourself because that very first pic shows she was like that when you got her. I wouldn't worry about MBD just yet, but I'd be interested to know her feeding schedule and what kind of setup she has. Do you have a uvb source?

Janaero,

Yes she was like that when I found her as a baby. She's always had a UVB light since she's been with me. She hasn't had one since I came to Spain in February, but she was hibernating then. She just awoke in April and I am waiting to ger her UVB light delivered from UK. It should take about 3 more days to get here.

Her feeding schedule is twice a day, morning and evening. I give her Turtle pellets and Gammarus. Once in a while I give her fruit and shrimp bits. I hear feeding should just be once, but I give 2 small meals.

She has the habit of asking for food when ever we come near the tank. She will start splashing water and swimming like crazy in our direction. I thinl my boyfriend sneaks in treats once in a while. Should I tell him not to? Even I fall for it sometines!

I had the same problem with my husband. He swore they must be starving to act like that so he'd feed them and not tell me. They ended up with pyramiding.

Sounds like you need to cut back on the protein. Feed her every other day, the amount that would fit in her head. Feed her veggies (go check the "what to feed" list) on the days in between.

the last picture looks so cute ha....

She looks like a happy turtle.

Take Jen's advice on feeding. It may not completely help the shell look normal, but it should help some over time and it will be helping her live a happy long life.

I will take all the good advice given, the damage was done but I'm glad she is in good health. Now I am waiting for the egg problem. In February her vet said that she is getting bigger and eventually may have to lay eggs even without mating.

Well, I still love her shell it has a cute heart shape

I don't think that it is a 'may lay eggs' She will lay eggs. There are some other threads around that discuss nesting areas. Check them out for some great resources. I'm in the same boat...just biding my time, lol.

I'm glad to hear the shell was like that when you got her. Not that is a good thing, but just knowing that you are taking good care of her! It's a good example of what can begin to happen when there isn't proper care though. Sorry if I worried you earlier, that's why I said wait for others to reply! You'll have to take some new pics when you get the whole thing set up with the lighting!

I love that face in the 4th pic. But that turtle really needs to shed some scutes for starters. By gammarus you mean dried shrimp? Much too high in protein to be given as much as you say you are. It will contribute to shell problems like your turtle apparently has. It should be an occasional treat.

Thanks Marisa, that pic was last year. Are scutes the little scaly things on her paws? They aren't there anymore

I don't think she has a shell problem. It was like that as a baby but I hope she doesn't have any more issues as an adult.

Cool, no more shrimpies everyday and I will feed her every other day. She is pretty big already

Scutes are the individual sections of the shell. They shed (or should) as the turtle grows. Also, the turtles skin sheds as it grows. The turtles shell should be smooth, not raised and bumpy in each section (called pyramiding). Pyramiding occurs because of fast growth and too much protein in the diet.

Thanks Sonyj, do you think she has pyramid disease? does`nt look so bad to me. She does shed the scutes in the summer a few times and her skin is constantly shedding.