General Care Discussion :: Dark Scute

[kpike]

Perhaps someone who isn't so new to turtle husbandry can answer a question about my RES Zippy. When I bought him at the pet store, one of his scutes was different than the others. It's light in places but has black streaks in others.

In the two weeks I have had Zippy, the scutes have gotten even more black and also look red in places - reminds me of the color of red mold in the shower back in college.

The scute is coming off the littlest bit near the top, but his shell is hard. Is this algae, mold or fungus? Is this normal? I'm thinking of taking him to the vet. I've only had a him a few days, but I've really bonded with him and want to take the best care of him.

Any thoughts? I could post a picture, but I don't know how.

Thanks for reading!

[cam722]

A picture would help tremendously. Follow the directions in this post for how to post a picture. How to Post a Photo

I'm wondering if it's possible that it may just be normal shedding of the scutes or as you said some type of diseased area. Do you notice any lifting of any other scutes? It never hurts to err on the side of caution by taking them to a vet. That way you're sure of your turtles overall health and you can establish a relationship with the vet prior to an emergency.

Also, what is your setup like? Size of tank, lighting, basking area, heater, filter etc. Has he been eating ok? What are the temperatures of the water and basking area?

[kpike]

Zippy lives in a 20-gallon glass tank. He has a heater which keeps his water at 80 degrees and a filter meant for up to a 40-gallon tank.

He is a voracious eater who loves turtle pellets and romaine lettuce. He dislikes carrots. I feed him in a different tub to help keep his tank cleaner.

He has a floating island where he seems to enjoy basking regularly. I'm not sure the exact temperature of his basking area to be honest, but there is a reptile light that serves as both a UVB and a heat light, according to the gentleman at the pet store who helped me with my set up.

In doing more research, I realize he needs a bigger tank and plan on upgrading in the near future.

[marisa]

Is that area soft at all? Is there an odor if you smell it? Is any of the scute lifting where the white area is? I don't really see any red (perhaps a pink tinge under the tan/white area in the center). From the pic, that doesn't look normal and to me, looks like some shell rot. Go here for some info on shell problems (including shell rot): http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm also www.maturtlerescue.org/shell_disease.htm

I'd take him to a herp vet and get some Nolvasan to clean it with. Betadine will work as well, but the former is better.

[kpike]

Thanks for the advice. The picture is from when I first got Zippy two weeks ago. It has gotten more pronounced and red since then.

I made an appointment with a herp vet so hopefully I'll be able to treat it with either the Nolvasan or Betadine.

Thanks again!

[cam722]

Yeah I agree with marisa, after seeing that picture I think you really should take him to the vet. That just doesn't look healthy. It looks as if it's spreading to the surrounding scutes, is this the case?

He does have quite an interesting pattern to his shell otherwise..

[kpike]

I thought I'd provide an update on Zippy because you were both so helpful. We took Zippy to the vet who said he has SCUD, which is essentially a shell infection.

The vet prescribed two forms of injectible antibiotics, an injectible pain killer and a topical cream. During his treatment, Zippy will be dry docked. Also, we're supposed to help Zippy's infected scute come off as it loosens.

We've begun treatment and already it's looking better. Thanks for all your help. And to other new turtle owners, when in doubt, it's best to go to the vet. Our vet said we caught the infection early; it could have easily gotten worse and possibly lethal.

[marisa]

So good to hear you took him in for treatment! (SCUD is shell rot and if not treated can get in the system and lead to blood poisoning/septicemia.) Props to you! Keep us updated on Zippy's progress.