General Care Discussion :: the shell rot blues?

[kelsey]

hello everyone,

so a few days ago i took a RES from my brother (a 20 year old rig pig who's never home and had the turtle dumped on him by a girlfriend's friend).

based on this website, and books i have, almost everything he told me was wrong. i'm figuring everything out slowly, but i'm just wondering especially about the state of her shell.

it's all white and patchy looking when dry. i'm pretty sure it's shell rot caused from a crappy "basking area" (a rock and a UVB light only) and a poor diet (he's only been giving her chicken).

here's a picture:
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg8/kelseykelsey_photos/S5030262.jpg?t=1199332791

do you think the improved diet and new heat lamp/basking area will clear this up in time, or should i get some betadine, or take a toothbrush/vinegar to it (gently!)?

thanks in advance for your help.

[kelsey]

oh,

ps- i dont think the shell feels soft or anything, but i don't really have another turtle shell to compare it to.

and the shell seems to shed a lot. like all the time.

[iac637]

at this age it should be as hard as a rock.. if it isn't she needs to have a UVB and UBA light and a basking dock that she can dry off on. She may also need to go to the vet if its soft.

[kelsey]

ok i just poked her shell, and yea, it's hard as a rock.

i just got a heat lamp that has UVA rays, and have a UVB light also. i'm still using this big rock as a basking dock i guess, but i'm raising it up and adding the the heat lamp, so hopefully that will be an improvement and she'll bask more.

*sigh*

[iac637]

they could be hard warter stains from the water
you could try to brush them gently with a toothbrush and see if they go away

[kelsey]

hard water stains! that sounds about right. genius.

[SpotsMama]

If it's hard water stains, you should be able to rub the white gently with a q tip that has been dipped in white vinegar and it will come off. Take care if you brush them because a turtle's shell is sensitive - it has nerves in it. It's especially tender along the seams.