General Care Discussion :: Curious about shell rot

[1tdawg]

I have been to 2 pet stores i regularly shop at. And both have at least 1 turt with shell rot. And i have a few questions:

- What is it?
- How do turts get it?
- Is it contagious?
- How is it spread?
- Is it treatable?
- Is it expensive to do so?
- What happens if its left untreated?

[marisa]

For explanations, why turtles can get it, treatments, and pics, look here: www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm

Yes, it is contagious, especially if a turtle has a breach in the shell. As mentioned in the link above, left untreated, it can turn into septecemia (blood poisoning).

Do you think your turtle/s has/have shell rot?

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

Shell rot is when your turtles shell starts to pit, get soft, smell bad, or the scutes start to fall off exposing soft tissue.

Turtles get it mainly from bad water quality, no UVB or a proper basking area. Or from other turtles that have it.

Yes it is, If you ever see a turtle with shell rot at a pet store do not buy any other turtles in the same tank because there's a high chance they all have it.

It can be treated at home with this product ZooMed makes called "sulfa dip" or diluted povidone-iodine solution. But if it does not improve a visit to the vet will be needed.

I think anything dealing with the vet can be expensive. But the sulfa dip or povidone-iodine solution shouldn't cost anymore then $10

The turtle will die if not treated.

[1tdawg]

Thx for the replies! I never knew it was so serious. I was going to buy the ones at the store out of pity but now i have to put my own turts health before theirs ;(

[Ranger The Red Ear Slider]

You can buy the turtle from the pet store but he will need to be in another tank until he is healthy.