General Care Discussion :: Update and question

[mzkitty23]

Krueger has been basking A LOT and I'm doing everything that SpotsMama and Steve suggested to get him to shed. Everyday it looks closer, but nothing has come off yet. So, my question is, I've been looking at pics of mineral deposits and I'm thinking maybe that is what he has rather than a fungal infection. Either way, I know shedding is the best thing for him, but is there a way to KNOW the difference?

[Bladedvixen]

take some plain white vinegar and dabb it onto one half of Kruegers shell. Then lightly scrub it off with a moist paper towel or toothbrush. If you can clearly see a difference between the two halves once he is completely dry again, then it could very well be hard water.

[steve]

For that testing method, you don't need to use it on half, but only a small portion. Based on the previous pictures, I'm almost certain it's a fungal/yeast infection. Shedding can take a considerable amount of time, especially the situation I had where the fungus lead to retained scutes (insert horrible flashback).

[mzkitty23]

Thanks Steve, I'm sure you're right. It's taking FOREVER! I'm so impatient! How darn long does it take??????

Also, thanks Blade, I'm going to do the vinegar thing, in a feeble attempt HOPING it's hard water.

[SpotsMama]

It took over a year of concerted effort to get Spot to shed. Sometimes weeks or months would go by with no change that I could see - neither worsening nor improving.

He first shed some layers on some scutes when I fixed the lighting and basking in his aquarium. But I saw the most dramatic improvement when he moved outside and was exposed to natural sun. Again this year, he has looked for several months like he was going to shed, but the actual shedding started when he moved outside into his pond.

I'm a big believer in the power of sunshine, but it's also true that he has shed when living in his aquarium once the light and basking were fixed - just slower than in the sun.

[mzkitty23]

A YEAR???????!!!!!! Well, I guess I need a lesson on patience...*sigh*

I'll definitely take him out for some real sun.

[SpotsMama]

Oh yes. Some things about turtles really are slow.

[PcBuilder14]

I've got hard water, and I've noticed that every once in a while the whit stuff will be on there and a week later it's gone, then it comes back. Is it harmful?

[marisa]

If it's mineral deposits from the water, it won't look nice but it's not harmful to your turtle.

[PcBuilder14]

Okay good. I don't care how it looks as long as he's okay.