General Care Discussion :: Retained scuts

[tammi]

How can I help my turtle shed some retained scuts? I have one that has been working on sheding scute for about 2 weeks now but it looks like a few are gonna hang on for a while. I haven't had any retain scutes before. Buy the way she is a painted turtle not a RES.

How big is your turtle? 2.5 inches
How long have you had it? 2 years

What is the water temperature? 76
Did you use a thermometer? yes
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? 45 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? no
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? 85 - 90
Is there a basking light? yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? ATBA
Is there a UVB light? yes

What have you been trying to feed it? reptimin, rosey reds, shrimp, veggies.
When was the last time your turtle ate? a few mins ago

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 45 gallons
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? yes

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? no

[tammi]

Here is a photo. She was quite pretty until two or three weeks ago when she started shedding. Does there look like something else is goin on or is this normal shedding? All my others have had no issues. And strangely this is the first time she has shed in the two years I've had her.

[steve]

She does have a few layers of retained scutes, so it might take a few sheds before the shell looks much smoother. There does look like there is progress with the remaining scutes. The appearance of the new scutes might be from an infection stemming from the previously retained scutes.

[tammi]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. Is there anything I should do to help along the shedding or treat any possible issue from the retained scutes.

[steve]

If most of the scutes came off recently, I wouldn't change anything.

[tammi]

Thank you Steve. And yes the scutes started shedding 2 or 3 weeks ago. I figured that was the case but I wanted to make sure.