General Care Discussion :: Red/Orange spots?

[Aegialia]

My RES, cummings, has developed reddish orange spots all along the bottom of his carapace. I can't tell if they are eating away at his shell or if they're forming where his shell has recently peeled. I also don't know if they're a fungus or just mineral deposits. They will come off if I rub them with my fingernail when he is dry, but I can't get at them all. I've had him for almost 3 years and nothing like this has happened before. It's not shell rot, though I'm wondering if it is something related. Let me know if you have any insights.

I've heard that a sulfa dip might be good for him, but I'm not sure where to get that. Pet store? I've never seen anything like that there...so let me know.

Thanks!!

[TinySlider2]

It is normal for turtles to shed. But I don't know about the red/orange spots you are talking about. Is there any way you can post a picture of it. I am sure someone else will be along shortly that can help you more. What kind of set up do you have?

[Aegialia]

Setup: 45 gallon tub, 4/5 full, outside. Natural light, basking is available (though he doesn't use it much and never has). I live in southern California, so right now I'm not using a heater because the water temp is between 75 and 85 without it. No filter, though I compensate for that by changing his water every week.

This is beyond normal shedding...it's like something is growing or minerals are being deposited where he has already shed.

I'm not sure I can get the pictures to work...I'll try.

[TinySlider2]

Here is a link on how to post pictures.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1811

[Aegialia]

I'm not sure you can see the orange spots, and my camera won't take a picture any closer. But it does give the overall picture--he looks more orange than he should.

[TinySlider2]

hmm...I am stumped. Sorry i'm not much help. But these pictures will help someone else tell you if it is normal or not. I am sure someone else will be along to help you. Oh yeah we all love to see pictures if you want to post some of the whole turtle.

[missibsu]

There is an illness that is gotten with an overabundance of I want to say a vitamin or mineral (sometime like that), but to my knowledge it doesn't peel off. I also have a hard time seeing red/orange on the shell, except at the tip, is it like that other places, and I just can't see them?

[Aegialia]

Yeah...it's more pervasive than the pictures show. It didn't really come through...and those were the best pictures I could get.

[steve]

You say it comes off if you rub it? It doesn't appear right back (like when you add pressure to your skin)? Have you tried using a soft, clean toothbrush to see if it would come off? Has this developed suddenly? Is it spreading? Are there are any other symptoms (visible or behavioral changes)?

It could be some bruises, my female RES would occasionally get a small pinkish area around her chin. A sulfa dip is intended for fungal infections so you may want to try it if that is what you suspect.

However, a worse case scenario would be septicemia (blood poisoning):
http://www.redearslider.com/index_healt ... septicemia
http://www.google.com/search?q=septicemia+turtle

... though I have only seen extreme cases in some photos. If it doesn't go away or is spreading, then a quick look by a qualified vet would provide better insight than I can.

[marisa]

The pinkish areas along the seam (line between the scutes)? Is the area soft at all? Does the color blanch (turn white if you press it and then return)?

What have you been feeding your turtle? How fast has your turtle been growing?