General Care Discussion :: Shell Rot or Not

[StormyNight]

Hello,

I found 2 Red Eared Sliders in my backyard. One of them has white stuff on his shell and the other one died yesterday, I think to a broken shell, I am worried about the white stuff on his shell. I bought a Yellow Belled Slider today and the petstore said it looked like shell rot. They recommended me purchase Vitashell and a Calcium Block. I have attached the picture...From what I have researched it doesn't sound like or smell like what Shell Rot is like. It doesn't feel like, nor smell like Shell Rot. Also, I am not sure if this is common but my wild turtle and pet store bought turtle keep biting each other. I have owned turtles before and they never did that. Even adding in new turtles... Is this common, should I be worried (because I am) and is it because one is a yellow belly slider and the other is a red eared slider?

[Love of Animals]

It is normal for turtles to have aggression towards each other. I would separate them immediately. The wild caught turtle could have parasites, a respiratory infection or shell fungus, all of which is contagious.

[StormyNight]

He's really active and eats normal. He doesn't seem like he has anything wrong with him whatsoever. && I got the new turtle because I wanted them to be together not seperated... Is there anything I can do for them to persay, like each other?

[steve]

Don't use Vitashell and those turtle shaped blocks. I would also separate immediately and look over the basic care section because you need to have appropriately sized tanks with lighting, heating and basking areas.

Can you post a clearer pic of the shell? Preferably when it's dry.

[SINI5T3R]

either your turtle has air pockets under its shell because its shedding scoots (sometimes its a white color) or its a fungus.

[richieboy]

Honestly I would let the wild turtle back into the wild, if you haven't had it too long. Keeping a wild and a non wild together probably won't work out. I dunno, maybe you can help with its shell problem first.

[StormyNight]

I got a bigger tank with proper lighting, basking area, etc. The two who seemed to be not getting along are now basking together and laying their necks on each other. I've had the wild one for 3 weeks now. I clean them with soap and water everyday as well. I have put hydrogen perixode on the white stuff and seems to be helping a bit??

[StormyNight]

This is Whiteout completely dry as he is basking.

[happycamper]

I am not sure soap is a good thing to use.

[SINI5T3R]

Ya I don't agree on the soap thing too it could cause more problems then get rid of. Also, its hard to tell but it looks like a fungus to me. You may want to get a sulfur dip or something of that sort.

[steve]

Looks like fungus. Make sure your turtle has excellent water quality, the correct basking and UVA/UVB requirements. Then get some silver sulfadiazine (you might need a prescription from a vet) to treat it. It can spread quickly, so the sooner it's treated, the better.

[StormyNight]

Not to sound cheap, because I will take Whiteout to the vet. but is there any homecare that I can do to clear it up. The setup is great. Got him a brand new setup last night and he loves it. He seems to want to bask a lot right now. Thank you for all the advice. =]

[steve]

The only thing that can be real effective (though not always) is silver sulfadiazine and you can only get that from a vet in the US. I haven't heard or seen other treatments that are effective, though a turtle that sheds regularly is a great help.

[StormyNight]

How much on average is the regular vet bill? I want him to live and if he dies from this I will be so distraught.

[richieboy]

Call and ask.