General Care Discussion :: funny colored bottom shell

[anne]

Hi
We have our RES for 18 months. Pretty healthy during this time. I notice that his bottom shell has an intrinsic coloring of red pink. It doesn't brush off and the shell looks pretty healthy; just a funny color. Is this normal?

Also when I rub his bottom shell to clean it, he almost looks like he wants to say something, since his mouth opens real wide. Almost looks like he's enjoying the shell rub. Looks almost meditative. Whats that about? A normal reflex maybe. Any insight is welcome. Thanks

[grey goose]

Could you post a pic?

[da sAUCE!]

did this pink just come out of nowhere?? did it come on slowly?? it might be blood poisoning. post a picture plz.

[marisa]

What do you feed your turtle? How much and how often? Is the color solid or are there areas of it that are darker than others? If he's been doing a lot of growing, areas of new growth can look pinkish. If you're worried, a pic would be helpful to try to determine what's going on.

Does your turtle's plastron (bottom shell) get so dirty that it needs to be rubbed clean? It sounds like he's opening his mouth as a defensive reaction to being touched, he probably isn't crazy about being touched like that.

[anne]

Thank you everyone for your quick advice.

The pinkish color has been there a while, maybe a month or two. Actually its starting to look more pinkish beige brown. Its pretty even around the outside periphery of the bottom shell and blends in smoothly with the natural color.
I never thought that it was a septicemia since Theodore has always been lively, eats and poops pretty regularly. I can't get a good picture with my camera, but I will see if I can borrow a better lens from someone and post a pic.
If any of you know a site where they have a picture of turtle septicemia or the other pink color condition posted, please let me know. It might give me some clarity.

Also, I'll make sure not to rub his bottom shell. I never thought that it was making him uncomfortable.

[da sAUCE!]

hmm, I'm stumped. AH! Do you feed them the dried baby shrimp??

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Pink in the seams or the plastron doesnt always indicate to septicemia,my turtles had the same thing a month or two ago.

My vet gave my turtles some betadine solution and silver sulfadizine cream (i think thats what its called) and an injection and told me to add more variety to theyre diet and to stay away from treats like shrimp,the pink is still they're but my vet told me it can stay they're for quite a while.If he has been acting normal for two months that he has had the pink on the plastron then its probably dietary.

Also can you please fill this out :

How big is your turtle?
How long have you had it?

What is the water temperature?
Are you using a water heater?
How much water is in there?
Are you using a water conditioner?
Are you using any filtration?

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

What have you been trying to feed it?
When was the last time your turtle ate?

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure?
Is the tank near a window?
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity?

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

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms?




Anyways here is a few links to how a turtle with septicemia looks like:

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/m ... Septicemia

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... septicemia

Here is a few links to similar posts like yours:
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... k+plastron

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... pots+shell

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewt ... k+plastron




P.S. just because nothing serious was wrong with my turtles doesnt mean the same for yours,i would still have him checked out by a vet.

[anne]

thanks all,

After reading everything, I do believe that Theodore is being overfed krill.
I don't believe its septicemia (I'm a practicing health care provider and i know septicemia symptoms, at least in humans).
I'll cut back on food to every other day and totally cut out the krill for a while. Actually I fed him krill yesterday and the pinker got more noticeable today. Can it change color so quickly?
Thanks for all the wonderful advice and if I don't see a shift within a week or two, I will bring him to the vet.
Also, a big thank you to xsavingsaturdayx. Those pictures links were extremely helpful.
anne

[Turtle addict]

Septicemia is normally a small area looks like a bruise not like the fading all over this one has. I ahve dealt with it and its not fun. I am guessing this is a red ear and if so this is normal, the belly changes colors as they get older, starts about 3-4 inches.

[marisa]

Shrimp/krill can cause a pinkish color. He doesn't sound like he has septicemia at all.