General Care Discussion :: White "eyebrows" on my RES

[broncomaniac]

Our young RES has white, lightly flaking skin above her eyes. This is readily noticeable after basking but not while immersed. The "eyebrows" are very thin and unique to this region of her body.

She is feeding well on Zoomed micro size pellets and dehydrated shrimp. Her tank mates are a young Painted and a young River Cooter. The tank is large, well filtered, and heated to 76º. The basking platform is beneath a PowerSun lamp distanced to 85-90º on average. The water is lightly calcified with a Wardley's block to soften it.

Please advise. Thanks.

[broncomaniac]

Here's a look at the issue. Thanks in advance for your help.

[ScrewZoo]

Thats weird, never seen anything like that, is it shiny like that?

[untsmurf]

What does it look like in the water?

Have you seen any aggression between any of the turtles?

[BullDog]

I've noticed something like that as well. I first noticed it when she was basking, and thought it might be just a bit of hard water deposit or something. But then I noticed when she was in the water as well.

It doesn't seem to affect her, but I'm not sure what it is.

[broncomaniac]

The whiteness disappears when she is in the water. The area can only be seen when she dries out during basking. The other turtles are not hostile toward her. Both eyes are affected.

[untsmurf]

Is she shedding skin?

[TurtleLover_S&B]

If she's not shedding in that particular place,then it could be the skin built-up with layers.Have you seen flakey skin on her face lately?

[broncomaniac]

She's shedding on her neck but not her face.

I noticed this morning that shes listing. Does anyone know an antibiotic product/dosage for a young RES hatchling with a presumed respiratory infection? I've called my vet and will hopefully have her on an antibiotic tomorrow but you never know, and the sooner the better.

[SpotsMama]

Since it's now night time, I suppose you are going to try to deal with the situation tomorrow. The best treatment for a sick turtle ( or a maybe-sick turtle) is to keep her warm (80 to 82 degrees fahrenheit) and clean and avoid stressing her (ie, don't pick her up unless you have to). If she won't eat her normal food, offer her some special treats like shrimp or tuna.

To me, the white looks either like shed skin that's stuck to her face (and which would be invisible under water) or some mineral residue from hard water. When you take her to see the vet, ask him/her about it.

[steve]

The white is simply minerals from the water. My RES get it all the time when outside or they are basking for long periods.

Might the listing have been caused by a bite?

[broncomaniac]

The white is simply minerals from the water. My RES get it all the time when outside or they are basking for long periods.

Might the listing have been caused by a bite?

I don't see white mineral deposits on the other turtles.

[broncomaniac]

Since it's now night time, I suppose you are going to try to deal with the situation tomorrow. The best treatment for a sick turtle ( or a maybe-sick turtle) is to keep her warm (80 to 82 degrees fahrenheit) and clean and avoid stressing her (ie, don't pick her up unless you have to). If she won't eat her normal food, offer her some special treats like shrimp or tuna.

To me, the white looks either like shed skin that's stuck to her face (and which would be invisible under water) or some mineral residue from hard water. When you take her to see the vet, ask him/her about it.

I've bumped the water temp to 82º and have offered earthworms and tuna. Vet says possible ear infection and to soak her daily in Pedia-Lite for 2 hours.