General Care Discussion :: Shell Rot??

[brandonsdad02]

I think my baby RES might have shell rot. It started out as one spot and has now grown to 3 spots. None of the other turtles have these spots and this one has had it for several months. What do I need to do to take care of it. I have everything for the turt tank.







Take a look at these pictures and tell me what you think it is.

[jozzep]

Is it soft and smelly? If so it is shell rot. Since it does not seem severe, i suggest cleaning out the rotted part gently with a tooth pic or something small enough. Apply neosporin, and dry dock for several days allowing the turtle in water for a few hours daily to eat. Or you could just take a trip to the vet (strongly suggested)

[brandonsdad02]

No it isn't soft or smelly. The other 2 turts don't have any signs of the white spots and the one just seems to keep spreading slowly.

[steve]

Probably fungus.. carefully check the other RES again. The best way to treat it is with silver sulfadiazine cream, available as a prescription from your vet.

[brandonsdad02]

What caused the fungus and what can I do to prevent it?

[steve]

I wish I knew. It's definitely booming over the last few of years. My RES caught it, recovered with the help of Silver Sulfadiazine cream, became infected again and now it no longer responds to treatment.

[sagoy]

What does dry docking consist of? Just limiting water time to just a few hours?

[marisa]

Fungus is usually the result of inadequate husbandry and/or lack of basking. Does this RES bask as much as the others?

Dry docking entails putting a turtle into a container without water. The amount of time can vary depending on what the issue is. It often means keeping the turtle out of the water for most of the day, with the turtle allowed sufficient time in water to hydrate (and eat). If I'm keeping a turtle out of the water for most of the day, I generally allow two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon/early evening, for the turtle to get hydated (and eat if it's time to do so). During the day, I keep lighting over the container, and usually place a cloth in the container for the turtle to burrow under if he choses to do so. The container should be big enough so that he can thermoregulate (move to a cooler or warmer area as needed).

[brandonsdad02]

Its the smallest of the 3 turtles and I have recently added more basking areas under the lamps. It seems that at least one or 2 of the turtles are usually on top of the other to bask. Its like they are playing King of the Floating log. If it were me I'd bite the one that was trying to climb on me. After missing a foot or 2 it would get the hint.

[sagoy]

Fungus is usually the result of inadequate husbandry and/or lack of basking. Does this RES bask as much as the others?

Dry docking entails putting a turtle into a container without water. The amount of time can vary depending on what the issue is. It often means keeping the turtle out of the water for most of the day, with the turtle allowed sufficient time in water to hydrate (and eat). If I'm keeping a turtle out of the water for most of the day, I generally allow two half-hour periods, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon/early evening, for the turtle to get hydated (and eat if it's time to do so). During the day, I keep lighting over the container, and usually place a cloth in the container for the turtle to burrow under if he choses to do so. The container should be big enough so that he can thermoregulate (move to a cooler or warmer area as needed).

Oh I see, thanks for the info. When is this needed? Shell rot and fungus possibilities?

[marisa]

Yes, as well as any injury which would require that a turtle be out of the water.