General Care Discussion :: white spot(s) on shell...

[windowsforeyes]

Hello again,

Like I said in this post, I have two baby turtles that I adopted (or one might say rescued) from a co-worker last week. Since then I’ve noticed a white spot on the shell of one of them that concerns me. I can’t get a good picture of it because she’s very shy and I don’t want to completely terrify her (she has a pretty crazy week already), but I first noticed it almost a week ago on one part of her shell and now I think it has maybe spread to another section of her shell.

I took both of them out of their tank yesterday to inspect their shells and I think both have healthy shells in general (there’s just a little tiny bit of give around the center of the shell on both of them—that’s normal, right?). In doing research about shell fungus, etc. I saw in some posts in which people suggested that one try to scrub the white spots off – I didn’t get a toothbrush or anything, but when I rubbed over it with my fingers it didn’t come off, nor did it feel any different from other parts of her shell.

I know it’s probably hard – if not impossible – to give a good diagnosis without being able to see the spot I’m referring to, but if anyone could give me their best guess/opinion on the matter I’d be most appreciative.

Thanks!

[TXGUY]

keep your eye on those spots , i think they will go away later, it's may be caused from the little tank where they were with not enough water??
shell too dry ??

[marisa]

Try to get a good picture of the shell when it's dry, even if you can't do it immediately. To guess without seeing what you're talking about isn't going to help your turtle...

[windowsforeyes]

Try to get a good picture of the shell when it's dry, even if you can't do it immediately. To guess without seeing what you're talking about isn't going to help your turtle...

Ok, I will do that ASAP. Thanks!

[emma]

this has been happening with my turtle too! i really want to find out what it is too

[SpotsMama]

Emmanelson96, a pic would be good in your case too. There are a whole lot of things that can cause white on a shell and sometimes it's hard to tell them apart. A good close up picture (in focus) of the dry shell helps a lot.

[Sweet Lavender]

Hello window!

I don't know if I can be a much of a help, but my res baby that I purchased from china town ( I know it's bad to purchase from china town... but at that time, I didn't know the horrible story behind it ) used to have white spots on their shells too! I'm not sure what the cause of it but I'm guessing that it's because they didn't have enough water in their tank. When I purchased mine, it came in a very tiny square shaped plastic tank and the water doesn't even cover their whole body... I'm very glad that they're still alive up to this date... I've had them for 8 months so far and they're very healthy!

Anyway, after a few weeks or so, it went away. I don't think you should worry too much... but please do post up a picture of their shell so other members can take a closer look!



- Lavender

[windowsforeyes]

white spot(s) on shell

Here are some pictures that I got last night. S/he (don't know if the turtle is a boy or girl yet...nor have I decided on the perfect name) is still a little wet in the pictures, but I think you'll be able to get a good idea of what the spots look like.

In the first picture you can see the biggest spot (the one I noticed first) on the 2nd Pleural down on the left side. Then there's the spot on the top edge of the 1st pleural on the right side, and the third spot (which I just noticed last night) is on the bottom corner of the 2nd pleural on the right side.

Thanks for any and all feedback!

[Tenodera]

looks like it might be fungus.

[windowsforeyes]

looks like it might be fungus.

I was afraid of that. What's the best way to treat it -- ZooMed Repti Turtle Sulfa Dip?

[SpotsMama]

Why don't you try that. Just follow the instructions on the box. After a round of treatment, why don't you let us know how it looks.

[SpotsMama]

To make sure it doesn't recur, why don't you check for anything in the habitat that might promote a shell infection.

For a healthy shell, a turtle must bask regularly under good UVB light. When he basks he must be able to dry out completely - top and bottom.

Also, a turtle's diet must be healthy and, especially for a little one that's growing, it must contain calcium. Does your turtle have a cuttlebone to nibble on?

Also, the turtle's water must be clean. Not only must it look clear and clean and pass the smell test, but it should be tested periodically for ammonia or nitrite buildup, which is invisible. If you don't have a water quality test kit, probably your pet store will test the water for you for free.

Finally, if the water is very alkaline (very high ph) it will be friendly to shell fungus. If your water is very alkaline and your turtles tend to have shell fungus, you might try lowering the ph.

[marisa]

To me, in the pics (especially the third one) the white areas look more like the shell has been injured/chipped or abraded somehow, especially since there are dark spots near them, which look like the shell has received some kind of trauma or bruise. At any rate, it looks like the scutes' surfaces have been breached, which could let in bacteria (especially if the water isn't kept clean) and result in fungus or even shell rot.

I wonder if the Sulfa Dip would make a real difference, but it probably wouldn't hurt. You could also clean the areas with diluted Betadine or Hibiclens (these are the easiest to get). And make sure your turtle basks with a UVB light and heat lamp.

[windowsforeyes]

To me, in the pics (especially the third one) the white areas look more like the shell has been injured/chipped or abraded somehow, especially since there are dark spots near them, which look like the shell has received some kind of trauma or bruise. At any rate, it looks like the scutes' surfaces have been breached, which could let in bacteria (especially if the water isn't kept clean) and result in fungus or even shell rot.

I wonder if the Sulfa Dip would make a real difference, but it probably wouldn't hurt. You could also clean the areas with diluted Betadine or Hibiclens (these are the easiest to get). And make sure your turtle basks with a UVB light and heat lamp.

She's had the dark spots on her shell since I got her a week ago. I've wondered what that was... do you think it's shell rot?

At any rate, I have a 40W incandescent bulb for heat and a UVB (ReptiGlo 5.0 compact flourescent) for basking on for 12 hours a day (7am to 7pm on a timer). Both of my turtles bask for a good amount of time a day as far as I can tell (I've come in and seen them both up there basking; I'm gone most of the time during the day, but I think that's probably good so that they don't get scared and jump back in the water).

I soaked both of my turtles in the Sulfa Dip today and will continue for as long as needed (they say to repeat each day for a week, right?). Having them both in separate containers but next to each other for the Sulfa Dip today I noticed that the other turtle is significantly bigger, I do hope that is not a sign of bad health for the turtle in these pictures (still haven't decided on a name... I need to get on that!). :-/

It wasn't until a few days after I took them home and got them set up with proper conditions that it dawned on me that one or both of them could already be sick or have something wrong from their previous lack of proper UVB/heat/basking/etc that they might die... They've both got such distinct personalities; I just hope I can get/keep them healthy so that they grow past hatchling-hood.

[emma]

ok, here is the picture of my turtle with the white on the shell.