General Care Discussion :: Kai's shell not getting better :(

[kaimarion]

Well Kai has been on Repto-min with REPTO-CAL powder on them for 3 weeks now and his shell isnt getting any harder!!!
He also has a white spot on his shell , it isnt fussy none of it comes off when I scratch it!

I'll try get a pic or 2 up later but I need to find my camera .

[DavidY]

Do you know what the pH and alkalinity are in your turtle's tank? I would think a baby's shell would tend to be a little more flexible anyway.

[SpotsMama]

DavidY, that's true. The little ones' shells are somewhat flexible - but not soft. As their first year progresses, their shells get harder and harder. That last part to harden is the area by the tail.

Kaimarion, three weeks must seem like a long time but it really isn't very long. Give it a bit more time. And, was it definitely established that your turtle's shell is softer than it should be for a turtle his size and age?

The calcium supplement is good but don't overdo it. Did a vet tell you how much to use? If not, why don't you just put it on a few pellets two or three times a week, not every day. If it seems like the powder just floats off the pellets, you can get some pellets slightly moist, then roll them in powder, then let them dry.

The other critical ingrediant for a hard shell is, of course, UVB light. Is your guy basking under a good UVB light?

Is there cuttlebone in the tank for your turtle to nibble on when the mood strikes?

[kaimarion]

I give them to him on monday and tuesday and they are soaked and rolled , he does bask every day and has a uvb light.
I dont have cuttlebone how long will it float for brfore it breaks up?

[Tenodera]

the spot on nits shell could be some air bubbles under the scutes? Is it a coppery shiny colour?

[SpotsMama]

A cuttlebone will float until it gets waterlogged and sinks - but it won't break up on its own. You should break it into pieces of a more manageable size for your turtle. Be sure and pry off the hard backing.

On the white spot, can you post a photo?

[kaimarion]

It doesnt look shiny under the water and when his shell is dry its really white.

[marisa]

Are you dampening the pellets, coating them with the powder and letting them dry before you give them to your turtle (he'll get more of the calcium that way)?

What is the rest of his diet like?

[industrial_girl_2000]

the babies do naturally have a more flexible shell. Make sure you continue to have cuttle bone in his tank for him to nibble on. And the baby reptomin has more calcium added as well.

You won't see much progress in only 3 weeks. A turtle's shell grows very slowly. Just keep up with the added calcium. It will work in time.

[SpotsMama]

I'd be interested in seeing a photo of the white spot. A shell fungus condition starts as a white spot in one place that then spreads and spreads. Not saying that's what it is with your turtle, but it would be good to see a photo.

What about the basking situation? What kind of UVB light does he have? How much does he bask every day? Can he get completely dry when he basks - top and bottom?

[DavidY]

Have you been able to test your water yet to make sure all the parameters are good? I know that excessive phosphates will interfere with the body's ability to utilize calcium. Some water supplies can be contain phosphates, but I don't know how much water borne phosphates will affect a turtle's metabolism.

[kaimarion]

Sorry cant find my camera and I still need to get a water test kit.

[kaimarion]

Well I got him some cuttle bone today and he ate one of the bits I put in , should I put it in on a daily basis?

Still cant find that camera though!