General Care Discussion :: shell rot?

[Swaypippin]

I was browsing for pictures of shell rot and I am really worried now. Orlando (the new guy, which I still haven't figured out what type of turt he is) has a few "white" places on his shell. And when I say white places, I mean at the top of his schutes there are places that look as if tehy just don't have any color. They're not soft or infected looking. They're just as hard as the shell around them but they're pure white.

Now upon investigating, I discovered my boyfriend (who is very new to turtles) decided to help him shed *ducks* I know this is not something you should EVER do, but he didn't know this. *sigh*

My guess it that the "helping him shed" could have "helped" pull off part of a schute that wasn't ready to shed. Is this something I need to be concerned about?

I've tried taking pictures of this to post here, but alas, my cam hates me. I can get great pictures of how dark the shell is, just none of the actual white spots. Also, on the ends of his shell, toward his tail end, his schutes are chipped and pretty rough to the touch. He's had these places since I bought him (about 3 weeks ago). He basks now (I don't think the pet store ever let him enjoy his rays), he eats just fince, swims normaly... Maybe I'm overreacting.

But in my defense, those pics of shell rot are quite disturbing.

Any ideas?

If it is necessary, which it often is, I will try my best to get some pics of the shell, but as I said before, I have tried many times and my cam just hates me. (Orlando doesn't like me very much either.)
Sway


Update with Pics!
This is a not so great close up



Better close up (note the chips on the schutes neat the tail)


Whole shell

[corey7144]

Yeah i think pictures are necesary. Also your right your not suspose to help a turtle shed.

[Swaypippin]

Corey- I'm going to try to get some good pics, but I need to let his shell dry again, gosh he hates it when I take him out of his tank.

Also, I know you aren't supposed to "help" them shed ha ha, and now so does my idiot... hem... boyfirend. Gotta love 'em.

[Chrisbarnett]

Do you have your camera on the Macro setting? That will help get close up shots with a lot of detail. The macro button usually has a little flower looking symbol.

[Swaypippin]

Chris- I do hae the flower symbol on.... I think lol.

I did just post pics though, I hope they're ok.
Sway

[corey7144]

I think thats the bone! My turtle shell looked that when he freaked out and hit a rock! (hes ok by the way, it healed) Does you turtle recieve enough calcium? Also could be caused by the extra help he had shedding...

[Swaypippin]

Corey- I was almost positive it's the "helping hand" that did it. I didn't tell the helper that though cause he felt really bad after it happened. But I made sure to tell him NEVER ever to do it again.

The white spot's are barely lower than the colored parts of the shell. To me it looks/feels like a piece of the shell that isn't colored. But again I was concerned with Shell rot. (I should never have looked at those pictures)

[octpusgirl8]

Is it possible that he peeled off enough of the scutes that the underlying bone is exposed? Shell rot should be smelly and softer, not smooth and hard.

[Chrisbarnett]

Heres some good info regarding exposed bone:(with pictures of exposed bone)
http://www.turtletimes.com/forums/index ... opic=10537
And heres some good info for Nolvasan to treat shell rot if it indeed is shell rot:
http://www.turtletimes.com/forums/index ... opic=20609

[crackerlady2007]

Swaypippin, That kind of looks like the onset of shell rot to me. One of my turtles has it, and it's not fun if you let it go too far. Do you have a good basking place for it? Mine wasn't able to completely dry out, so she developed it.

Just my two bits.

[steve]

Looks like an exposed bone layer. I've encountered it in a couple of minor spots on my RES. It was an area that had shed and a piece came off on it's own. The following is from my own experience, yours may be completely different. It will come off sooner or later -- probably sooner. What was underneath will be firm tissue (dark yellowish) and a slight presence of blood. Again, you might face something different, the piece I'm talking about was about 1/8" long. The tissue will harden up and either remain a dark, indented area (subsequent shedding will smooth it out) or it will form another bone layer, which will come off again.

I would suggest you consult with an experienced herp vet. It should heal, but will take time. You need to take preventive measures -- super clean water, regularly inspect the area to make sure there is no infection and keep the area clean when it comes off (dry docking will help).

[Swaypippin]

Thanks for all the info guys! I really appreciate it! I think it probably is exposed bone that makes me so sad. I have no idea what would make someone think it's a good idea to pry the schute off.. UGH! Sorry I'm agitated. ((He didn't know you weren't supposed to do that... now he does))

He does have a UVA/UVB bulb, does bask some but doesn't do it for long, so we make frequent trips outside when the weather is alright. (he hates me.) I clean the tank at least once every two weeks, I'd say about a 30% water change, and net out any debris, and I ahve to add water about twice a week (evaporation gets me).

He doesn't seem to be effected at all by it, still eats, swims, basks all normally.. Well expect the basking he does that more now.

[corey7144]

Hope he heals. Also i took a closer look at my turtle i don't think he healed yet but his is just alittle by the edge of the part of the shell he hides his front leg under. it will most likly heal.