General Care Discussion :: Overgrown Nail

[amandaeilene]

Hello! I'm hoping someone can provide me with some advice about my 2.5 year old male RES.... Speedy has an overgrown front toe nail that has curled itself and is beginning to overlap his other "middle" front nail. I've replaced his floating dock with a hard rock to try and file them down but haven't had any luck. It doesn't seem to bother him, but I dont want it to cause him problems down the line. Any ideas? I don't want to stress him out with nail cutting unless need be. I've done it with my iguana and never really got too far because of the vein in the nails. I can send a picture if needed. Your help is appreciated! Thanks!!!

Here's a picture of his nail so you can get a visual... he lives in a 30 gallon tank right now where about half of it is filled with water and he has a turtle dock to lay out under his lights.

Sorry about that:
http://www.flickcabin.com/sessions/7f2a ... speedy.jpg

[jenaero]

I think a pic would be a good start. Generally, I'd advise never to trim their claws but there are exceptions to every rule. Let's see what we're dealing with

[industrial_girl_2000]

What is your tank set up like? Can you post a picture so we can help you further?

The only time I have ever seen over-grown nails on a male is when the set up is way too small with not enough water in it for him to swim around in.

[Vtolds]

we cant see the picture because we dont know your Login and Password.

[eugenetimpog]

I can't see the picture in my browser so I downloaded using getright. How did those nails curl up? I looks like the nails are flexible in the picture... is it? I believe those nails should be straight. You should fix the link so some people here can give you some advice.

[marisa]

The picture is unavailable...

[SpotsMama]

Can't see the picture. Can you put it on Photobucket? Photobucket is pretty easy to work with.

[eugenetimpog]

amandaeilene I uploaded the picture of speedy to photobucket so everyone can see it. I hope you don't mind.

[SpotsMama]

That is some sort of deformed nail. They aren't supposed to curl like that. I'd have it trimmed by a vet. The way it's growing, he's not going to be able to wear it down on anything and eventually it's going to curl back into his skin somewhere.

I'm also wondering about the pattern on his plastron (the bottom of his shell). Has he always had that pale area outlined in brown near the front of the shell? How does the carapace (top of his shell) look?

He has a very pretty bright red ear by the way!