General Care Discussion :: Shell Discoloration

[kimberlyt]

I have a RES who is around 25 years old. I've had him since I was 5. I have never had any problems with him up until 4 years ago. When I flew across the country in 2004, I left him in my mother's care. I was gone for 4 months. When I returned his tank was filthy and he had a case of shell rot (which was diagnosed by his vet). Upon the vet's instruction, I treated him with an iodine solution I purchased from the clinic. Gently scrubbing his shell with a toothbrush (for a month). But at one point the iodine had melted part of his scute and exposed his bone! I took him back to the vet and she confirmed this. She told me to stop using the iodine (which I had since his BONE was exposed!). She also told me that he no longer had shell rot. She mentioned that any remaining spots were just scars which would take years to fade. The exposed bone later healed on it's own with a new scute, and I never used anything on his shell again.

He's had spots on his shell ever since. And they seem to have spread. I took him to the same vet (which is the only exotic vet here), because I was concerned about the discoloration on his shell. She told me he was perfectly healthy and that the discoloration was just that "discoloration". But she wasn't able to tell me why or how he has developed these spots. It cost me 65$ for the consultation, that basically revealed nothing. I am still concerned. Does any one know what this is? There is no other exotic vet I can go to get a second opinion (none exist in my area). Are these scars from the shell rot he had 4 years ago? are they mineral deposits? are they normal discolorations? or did he simply never recover from his shell rot? There is no blood, no fuzz, and his shell doesn't have any soft spots. He is active and eats. Nothing appears to be wrong. But the spots concern me. His shell was dark green almost black for many years before these spots appeared. The bottom of his shell appears normal, though it does seem flaky once his shell is dry. She told me that is normal shedding. But I have nothing to compare it to.

In the image you can see the spots around the top front part of his shell. They appear in different areas.

[octpusgirl8]

Wow 25 years, thats a long time! I'm not sure about the shell spots, it's kind of hard to tell from the pictures. Can you put up a picture of the shell dry? Also, tell us more about your setup, like tanks size, lighting setup, etc.

[SpotsMama]

Since he first had the problem with his shell 4 years ago, I suppose he's had the white patches for at least several years now - is that correct? You said they've spread since they first appeared - are they continuing to spread?

What happens when he sheds scutes? Does any of the white come off?

Old shell injuries that have healed are usually described as black rather than white. The reason for white patches on the shell from a good source (Austin's Turtle page) is as follows:

"The most common causes of this condition are water quality and injuries, albeit minor at times, from habitat decorations (scratched while climbing, swimming or diving into the water, substrate, heater burns, etc). It appears most times as white patches on shell."

However, I really do not want to try to second guess your vet. I can't actually see your turtle and besides..... I'm not a vet! If you're concerned, however, one thing you can do is to ask your vet to take a culture of the white stuff. That's the surest way to know what's going on.

For turtles that do have shell infections, here's a very good remedy (again from Austin's Turtle Page). My turtle had a shell infection awhile back and it worked for him:

"Listed below is a regimen that I have followed in treating shell problems and has yielded great results. Keep in mind that shell injuries will take months and sometimes years to get back to looking normal if the possibility exists. It takes weeks before the shell will look like it's getting better. While treating, you are not looking for signs of healing or repair - you are looking to ensure that it is not spreading.

Clean infected areas thoroughly with a strong, undiluted betadine, iodine or Nolvasan solution. Let the turtle air dry in a warm setting for about 45 minutes.

Apply a generous coating of Silvadene cream. Work into problem areas.

Leave the turtle dry and warm, ensuring that you do not over-heat, for 18-21 hours each day.

The next day, scrub entire shell with a one of the previously mentioned solutions, using a soft-bristled toothbrush

Place them into fresh, clean water. Let them swim, drink and eat for approximately 1 - 1 ½ hours.

Repeat procedure from Step 1.

This treatment performed daily or twice daily, depending on your time allocation, has been successful in as few as 8-10 days but in more extreme cases can take a few weeks. It is difficult to tell success right away, so it is often discouraging. It is, however, quite effective and you will begin to see small improvement (in most cases) in only a few weeks."

[kimberlyt]

What happens when he sheds scutes? Does any of the white come off?

Yeah it does. If the a scute sheds the white spot goes along with it. But, not always right away. It seems some of them are layers deep and after a few sheddings they would come off.

Since he first had the problem with his shell 4 years ago, I suppose he's had the white patches for at least several years now - is that
correct?

Yes that's right.

You said they've spread since they first appeared - are they continuing to spread?

Well, it just seems that there are more. I haven't taken pictures to compare. But they appear in roughly the same area.

The reason for white patches on the shell from a good source (Austin's Turtle page) is as follows:

"The most common causes of this condition are water quality and injuries, albeit minor at times, from habitat decorations (scratched while climbing, swimming or diving into the water, substrate, heater burns, etc). It appears most times as white patches on shell."

The tank is bare bottom. He hasn't had substrate in 10 years at least. I find it way too messy. The old heater did not have anything covering the bottom of it. So in theory, it could have burned his shell. I put a new heater in there (in november) that has a plastic piece covering the base, so he couldn't get burned from it now. There are no decorations. Only a basking area. You know, it is possible that he has scratched himself on parts of the basking area.

If you're concerned, however, one thing you can do is to ask your vet to take a culture of the white stuff.

She tried scratching a spot with a metal instrument and told me that if a powdery substance had come off from scratching it that way, that would of indicated a problem. But it didn't. I just want to know that I can trust her diagnosis.


Thank you for your response.

[kimberlyt]

Wow 25 years, thats a long time! I'm not sure about the shell spots, it's kind of hard to tell from the pictures. Can you put up a picture of the shell dry? Also, tell us more about your setup, like tanks size, lighting setup, etc.

I can try to take another picture, dry. His setup is what is recommended for a RES. The basking area the lighting (on 12 hours a day). He is in a glass aquarium that is under what he should have for his size, but I am upgrading soon to something 20 gallons larger which will be a perfect fit. It's costly, so money has been put aside slowly for the new setup.

I am actually really surprised he has lived as long as he has. Because when my parents bought him for me as a child, they were not aware of what he needed to survive. Other than, a tank, a filter and basking area. He lived many years without a lamp and without a heater. Until I reached an age old enough to research his species.