General Care Discussion :: Scutes near neck not shedding, cutting into neck-skin!

[kikicool]

Hi, all. Well, I'll tell you this Lilly is full of drama. and I love her. But here's my latest issue.

She doesn't really shed full scutes, and I've had her for three years. She DOES grow though. Sometimes when I take her out for little dry-docking (running around my house as she likes to), I use a soft toothbrush to GENTLY loosen them up and see if any can be removed once she dries. but never if they are at all hard to get off, I know the shell is sensitive.

Here's the latest issue. You know that one narrow scute at the top of their heads? Hers is growing, but not shedding. I just noticed, yesterday that she has a little irritation on her... turtleneck? skin right under that scute. There are no loose layers on that scute. Nothing I can work off to make it shorter.

However, I can tell the scute is overgrown: it is see through at the tip, telling me that it should have shed. Now, this may be a stupid question, and I'm even embarrassed to ask: but can I file it so it doesn't irritate her skin? There's no blood or anything, but it's paler and definitely getting poked. I know the shell is quite sensitive, so this is probably a dumb question. But since that area is see through, I just wondered if that part of the scute was dead?

Any suggestions? Her diet is great, her water is clean and tested regularly, her tank is lovely, she basks routinely... and Herman, her companion, is perfectly healthy and sheds regularly.

Thanks for all input. Has this happened to anyone else?

[blackforces get you]

naturally let them shed dont speed the process just let nature do its course like its intended to. oh and what are you feeding? im not sure but there's some fruits to help speed up the shedding process.

i dont think you should file the scute. but what i recommend is to take her/him to the vet and they'll tell you what to do about that scute

that has never happened to me but i do need a tip on what to feed my turtle to shed scutes faster because its their time and so far one is already peeling off

[TheComputerGremlin]

I wouldn't sand or file it yourself. If you think it's absolutely necessary, you should have a vet do it, esp. one experienced at it. I had a random thought that might work, though. If the scute will shed anyways, you might be able to apply a few dabs of something like glue or wax to it to smooth it over for the time being. You should also put some antibiotic ointment on the neck area to keep it from becoming infected.

[SpotsMama]

On what to feed a turtle to facilitate shedding, try steamed sweet potato, blueberries, tomatoes, turnip greens, and apple peel. All are relatively high in vitamin e, which helps with shedding. Also, make sure cuttlebone is always available, that the turtles gets lots of good basking time under good quality (important!) UVB light, and the turtle shells dries out completely - top and bottom - during basking.

[kikicool]

THanks, guys for the tips. Spotsmama, I'll try those food in the diet. Great idea on the vitiman e thing, I wouldn't have thought of that! Computer Gremlin, what kind of antibiotic do you recommond? I have one that I clean them with (like Hibiclens, but from a vet), but I wasn't sure if you meant something like triple antibiotic cream? Should I just put it on and leave her out for a while so it soaks in? And, should I wash it off before immersing her back in her tank?

Thanks again. I can't stand the idea of my little (big!) girl getting uncomfortable. Glad to hear, also that no one seemed astounded she hadn't shed. phew!

Any more tips are also appreciated in the interim. Or, stories of anyone else who has had similar experiences?

[SpotsMama]

One more note on the vitamin e rich foods - moderation is always the goal. A small serving or two a week is plenty. Watch out for the steamed sweet potato - turtles absolutely adore it, but it's very fattening, and less is better than more.

[Caphits]

Make sure your UVB is up to date. Regular bulbs "run out" of UVB after about 8 months.

Best of luck

[kikicool]

Thanks, all. Caphits, the UVB bulbe was replaced about two months ago, so I think I'm okay. I'm going to give some yummy sweet potato today. Last question: I believe that frozen fruit is no good, right? I have a whole bag of frozen blueberries is why I'm asking. Thanks!

[Kallistos]

Taken from the RES Basic care section:

"Fruit is not a natural food wild RES would normally encounter and its use should be limited to rare and in very small portions. They are generally high in sugar and can be offered as a treat or to entice eating. Like other plant material, they should be served fresh, raw and thoroughly washed. Seeds and skins should be removed, unless noted. These should only be offered once a month or less. Avoid giving your turtle any forms of nuts, pits or seeds."

Blueberries are listed under "use rarely." I would recommend getting the blueberries fresh from the grocery store instead of frozen.

[kikicool]

Great. Thanks again! (And I was JUST about to cook a sweet potato!)

[SpotsMama]

I do lightly steam the sweet potato I give to Spot. It's so hard and woody if it's raw, and he loves it so much that he gulps it down as fast as he can, and I worry about him chocking. I don't cook it to pieces, just microwave until it's flexible, then cut it in little bit sized pieces for him.

As far as fruit goes, berries are the best for a turtle. Blueberries especially are quite nuitritious while (relatively) low in sugar. Fresh is always best, of course, but sometimes I give Spot blueberries that have been frozen (and then thawed, of course).