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hi all

What is the different between shell rot and fungus ? any special charactertistic / sign /which tells the difference ? i have been asking around photo like below, but getting different answers

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss29 ... 009001.jpg
http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss29 ... 112009.jpg

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This is my guess:
Shell rot goes into the shell. The shell becomes soft to the touch. If it's a bad
case of shell rot, the bone underneath is exposed. Shell rot is really not a good
thing and must be dealt with quickly, usually with a vet's help.
Fungus on shell tends to be seen to grow outward. It can spread from scute to
scute. While easier to treat, it can lead to shell rot.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

thanks.

pls find the links again

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss29 ... 009001.jpg
http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss29 ... 112009.jpg

the above is fungus ? if it is , how to treat fungus

I replied to one of your other cross-posts, it's fungus.

My turtle has the same issue. It has gotten better and worse over the years. What's the best method of treatment?

Best method that I know of is to go to a vet for silver sulfadiazine or Silvadene
cream. It's a prescription only drug, hence the vet. You need to dry-dock the
turtle for a couple of weeks with the treatment and keep the tank very clean.
Then, after a shed, the turtle should be back to normal.

What do you mean dry dock the turtle? I thought they had to always have water access?

The purpose of dry-docking is to keep the turtle's shell dry. This is usually done to
cure problems of the shell. The turtle is still fed in water and about twice or more
swimming time daily so the turtle doesn't get dehydrated. Dry-docking usually
causes stress on the turtle, so it should not be done for extended period of time.

Fungus, shell rot (MBD) is due to a lack of proper basking and calcium deficiencies. I would suggest that you make sure that the basking area is at 90 to91 degrees with uvb lighting. Feed him as much calcium as he will eat and dry dock him about 8 to 10 hours per day with a warm light that will dry him out. I put a towel in a card board box so he can move in and out of the light and have a place to hide. Mine get dry docked once a month to keep their carapace in good shape. Good Luck!