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Hi - Thought I'd post an update to this post from four years ago.

In summary, Toby's shell has been "messed up" since I adopted him. It took a couple years before he actually shed a whole shute. And finally, after countless batches of turtle jello shots and lots of cuttlebone, he had a full shed a couple months ago and his shell now looks fantastic (compared to what it looked like four years ago). It's not perfect but it's a big improvement

Some pics of his shell now (compare to the old post linked above):

He looks so much better! I've never noticed mine shed anything on the bottom but it looks fine. My one turtle was having trouble shedding so in the summer I. Took them outside for time in the sun. It helped one though I had to pick at the shutes to get them off. My other has abit of pyramiding from them not coming off or loosinging at all. And like toby they won't eat any fruits. They only like cuddle bone, meat and turtle pellets. And like once every few months I get them a couple of goldfish. But that's about all they eat, picky turtles!

Great job! Great too see how patience and a lot of tlc can pay off!

sx2r wrote:He looks so much better! I've never noticed mine shed anything on the bottom but it looks fine. My one turtle was having trouble shedding so in the summer I. Took them outside for time in the sun. It helped one though I had to pick at the shutes to get them off. My other has abit of pyramiding from them not coming off or loosinging at all. And like toby they won't eat any fruits. They only like cuddle bone, meat and turtle pellets. And like once every few months I get them a couple of goldfish. But that's about all they eat, picky turtles!

I have heard this is something you shouldn't do. Maybe I misread that.

So much improvement. Excellent job Reminds me of mine when i first got him now you dont see anything. Probably with his next shed there will be no signs left.

sx2r wrote:I have heard this is something you shouldn't do. Maybe I misread that.

Its something that if your not experienced with you can actually damage new shell growth underneath so it is not recommended. Though I would say do it with a turtle that have bad retained scutes with fungus/algea problems as the fungus and algea will act like a glue and hold the scutes. This turtle was not bad enough at the time that id pull on scutes.

His shoots just popped off from me putting my fingernail under them. They were just sitting there for months. Like from the begginging of the summer, constantly bubbles and water. His shell is fine. Didn't mark at all. If it was stiff I wouldn't try picking it off. My other has pyramiding and his chutes don't seem to pop up at all. He's only shed once that I ever noticed.

Looks great. It sort of confirms what we've seen in other cases.

EXCELLENT JOB!!!! That is a huge improvement that you should be proud of!!! )

Moose wrote:EXCELLENT JOB!!!! That is a huge improvement that you should be proud of!!! )

Thanks! It has been a long road but it just goes to show that patience pays off. My husband thought I was crazy the first time I made turtle jello shots, but now its become a normal thing. All the work has been totally worth it!

What's a turtle Jell-O shot? What's in it?

There are pictures and the recipe in this topic:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=17486