General Care Discussion :: Lucifer's shell part 2

[stubborncuss]

Well, after a couple of weeks, a calcium block, a new/bigger basking area (above tank), Lucifer's shell does not seem to be getting any better.

As soon as I get paid again I will be taking the turts to the vet to get checked out. If anyone has any suggestions before I go spend my whole paycheck, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Here are some pics of the problem.

[stubborncuss]

How big is your turtle? around 2-3 inches
How long have you had it? 6 months

What is the water temperature? 72
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? full
Are you using a water conditioner? yes, reptisafe
Are you using any filtration? yes, aquaclear 70

What is the basking temperature? 88 - 92
Is there a basking light? yes, uva
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? turtle ramp to plexiglass above tank
Is there a UVB light? not yet, need new bulb

What have you been trying to feed it? reptomin, and dried shrimp
When was the last time your turtle ate? 1 week

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 55 gallon
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? no

Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes, but every situation is different.

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? not eating as much as the other turtle (RES), and his unusual coloration of his shell.

His shell looks "wrinkled" around his small scutes as well.

[grey goose]

His shell looks very dry and brittle. Is he shedding scutes constantly? Also the combination of not eating and a pink plastron spells trouble...I'd get him to a vet.

[steve]

Inconsistent feedings could do that to the shell but it should be better once it sheds. Has he been basking? I would try some info on this page: http://www.redearslider.com/entice_eating.html

I'm not familiar with the previous topic on this but the pink does not look as bad. However, if he doesn't start to eat, then I would take Grey Goose's advice...

[marisa]

He has scutes on him that should have been shed long ago.

About the plastron---what is his basking area made of? Is it rough/abrasive?

[stubborncuss]

The above tank turtle dock was no success. After a week, of having to dry dock them to get them to bask, i figured id put back the floating log they had. Its not very abrasive at all actually.

I did see him eat a small rock once. After that incident, we took the undergravel filter out. That was more than 3 moths ago now.

Ive got the sulfadip which i will try tomorrow, and i also go a couple yellow/white turtle blocks that ive put in the tank now.

[kikicool]

marisa, i'm curious about how you knew the scutes should have been shed. My little guys never seem to shed. They eat, they swim, they bask, and all they need they have, but I see no shedding. I'd like to know if they SHOULD have....

[grey goose]

I did see him eat a small rock once. After that incident, we took the undergravel filter out. That was more than 3 moths ago now.

Is he pooping regularly? Any signs of prolapse?

[stubborncuss]

havent quite seen him poop. He is in the tank with Ziggy (a RES) and Tweak (catfish), so there is plenty of poo to pick up when I see it floating about. About a week after he ate the rock, there was a giant turd I scooped out. I figured it was the rock.

[marisa]

kikicool, look at the marginal scutes, especially on the left side. See the little squares on the very top that are jutting out? Those are old scutes that have been pushed out (and up) by new scutes. There are layers of them in some places.

Now that I look at the pictures again, what are those two white areas?