General Care Discussion :: Shell rot issues

[kikicool]

Hi there! So, I've been writing lately about how my l'il guy isn't basking etc. I suspect he has mild shell rot.

I went to Turtlepuddle. I found this info: http://www.turtlepuddle.org/health/shellrot.html

Now, he has had these white spots since we got him (from a pet store, I did'nt know about rescue groups). His scutes fall off regularly, but I thought it was just growth. Now I see that he has rot. I keep his tank VERY clean--in fact, I clean weekly because I haven't yet purchased a large tank (I've had him a month--still trying to figure out what i will need etc). So, I am assuming this has to do with the pet shop. There, he was kept in a pond-type enclosure with other turts. He had plenty of basking areas, but not really a light that I can recall....

Anyhoo. I took him out, left him in a little laundry basket on the front porch for about an hour. I also cleaned him with a soft tooth brush, and then I used a Q-tip with hydrogen peroxide. Then, I let that sit for 10 minutes, and washed him again. Then I let him get back in his (freshly cleaned) tank.

My concern is that he STILL doesn't bask. I am assuming I will need to manually bask him in our little laundry basket in order for him to recoup. MY question, is how long at a time should I let him sit out there? Won't he get dehydrated? I don't have a lawn or anything for him to veg on

My other concern: he STILL doesn't eat veggies, and I've had him a month. I have tried carrots, spinach, grapes, celery, brocolli, and lettuce. Soemtimes, I cut these things into pieces and leave them on his basking rock (where they dehydrtate because he never goes up there). Others, I chuck them into the tank and hope he'll find that appealing. For example, I put a whole stick of brocolli in there hoping its floating would entice him. Nope. I don't want him to get sick.

Just FYI: I am a vet tech, but have NO reptile experience. I am willing to go the extra mile to make him healthy. I just don't know HOW to make him eat his veggies!! (hmm...where have I heard that before?)

So: suggestions on leaving him outside/time limits, and making him eat veggies?

Also, any shell rot stories appreciated. THANKS!

[Boogerbutt02]

You stated: "Soemtimes, I cut these things into pieces and leave them on his basking rock (where they dehydrtate because he never goes up there)."

Well first of all RESs can only eat in the water, this is something I learned on here....

You stated: "I am assuming I will need to manually bask him in our little laundry basket in order for him to recoup. MY question, is how long at a time should I let him sit out there? Won't he get dehydrated? I don't have a lawn or anything for him to veg on"

I take my female turtle outside atleast 3 days a week (weather permiting) to "manually bask" her, I keep her outside for about an hour, or when I am tried of chasing her around the house...lolol... she loves to walk all over the place...

if you put your turtle in the sun, make sure he has shade to go to if he wants too, because he may get too hot... in my experience about two hours at a time, outside in the sun is about long enough... others may say longer or shorter...

as for the veggies? I don't know, mine like carrots, and my female really likes bananas... I am sure he just needs more time to adjust...

[Boogerbutt02]

I hope that helps you

[kikicool]

Thanks Boogerbutt02. It really does! I appreciate your advice. I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

[CountryGirl68]

Your turtle will bask when he's ready. He may also only bask when no one is around. My turtle (I've only had him for 5 days) will only bask when no one is home. When my husband comes home for lunch, the first thing he hears when he opens the door is the !splash! into the water. Same goes for me when I get home in the evening. So we know he's basking.

Although you may not think so, you did rescue your turtle. If his habitat conditions were not suitable for him at the pet store (improper lighting, for example), he would have probably become sick. I was looking at rescue places for my turtle but ended up getting him at a pet store. His habitat was horrible and I know I saved him from that.

[steve]

Here are some pics of shell rot: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm

If your turtle does have shell rot, then I would check out some of the other medications used to treat for it. And if he does have shell rot, he may have other illnesses that can accompany shell rot - especially if it is a severe case.

[kikicool]

Hmm.. now I'm thinking he may have mineral deposit build up. Jeez, I feel very out of my league with this little guy!

[steve]

Can you post a picture? Since you have had him, has there been a change to the "shell rot"? Are there pits on the shell, or any associated odors? Can you scratch it off with your fingernail?

[kikicool]

Steve--I did post pix. In this forum, under a different topic: "My turtle's shell--pix".

http://redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5487

I appreciate any advice. I haven't seen any difference in the shell rot issue. Looks like it did. There are pits. When I clean him, he gets loose scutes. I pull them off, and there IS a bit of an odor--not infection-like. Just...turtly, I think. The pictures are good close ups. I hope they are helpful!!

[steve]

I agree with Jen, it looks like a previous condition that is starting to recover. There is no need to "help" scutes shed, unless they are about ready to come off. (Hope that makes sense.)

[kikicool]

Oh--I shouoldnt have said "pull." I don't pull the scutes--they are already half lifted, etc. and when I clean him, if they're just hanging on, I take them off. Makes total sense. Thanks Jen and Steve!!

So, will he have these pits forever? And is he in pain from them? Do you think I should still bring him to a vet?

[steve]

How do the scutes underneath look after you take the old ones off? If it is green and smooth, then I would say everything is looking positive. I don't think old pits cause pain, but they could be a potential entry point for infection. Good water quality, UVB and basking helps a lot. Shell conditions traditionally take a long time to heal.

[kikicool]

Well...the pix I posted were taken after I took some scutes off.... he's more brown and yellow than green. *sigh* When I remove the scute, I then take a q-tip and wipe the fresh area. The q-tip turns brown. ??