Shell in the Process of Healing
Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 8:27 pmI've talked some on here about Spot's shell, which was seriously damaged by years of poor treatment. I've cleaned up the act this past year and Spot's shell is looking much much better, although it still has a way to go. I think the problems were failure to shed scutes and fungus.
Here are some photos of his shell today. There's a legend underneath each picture. If anyone else is going through the same thing, I hope this is interesting. Please, if anyone has comments share them. If I need to be doing something else I will gladly do it. I've ordered some vitamins and plan to give him small amounts of supplement in the future to be sure he gets enough vitamin e, which I understand is important for good shedding;
SPOT'S TOP
1. On his top shell the major problem is what I call the "end caps". He's shed some and has about half to go. I think the big one by his neck will come off within the week.
2. I think I'm seeing some new bad white stuff and in case it's a return of the fungus I've given him another 10 day round of hibiclense (every other day treatments.)
3. These scutes in the back are in the process of shedding. I think the pale blochiness means they will be coming off in the near future. Is this correct? (I hope). The scutes in front are further along and look better. As these scutes shed they come off in very thin translucent sheets, which is closer to normal. When it's all normal they'll come off a whole scute at a time.
4. Here's some more of the really bad end cap build up. The end caps in the back aren't even loose yet.
SPOT'S BOTTOM
1. The bottom isn't as far along as the top. Some of the scutes have shed pretty well, like these three. When a bottom scute sheds, it's still in very thick pieces.
2. This is what the underneath part of the end caps looks like. Scary, isn't it. When the end cap comes off, the underneath scute look normal.
3. These big scutes are going to be shedding soon - they're starting to lift. When they shed, the pieces are going to be very thick. Pieces of some of them are peeling off already.
Here are some photos of his shell today. There's a legend underneath each picture. If anyone else is going through the same thing, I hope this is interesting. Please, if anyone has comments share them. If I need to be doing something else I will gladly do it. I've ordered some vitamins and plan to give him small amounts of supplement in the future to be sure he gets enough vitamin e, which I understand is important for good shedding;
SPOT'S TOP
1. On his top shell the major problem is what I call the "end caps". He's shed some and has about half to go. I think the big one by his neck will come off within the week.
2. I think I'm seeing some new bad white stuff and in case it's a return of the fungus I've given him another 10 day round of hibiclense (every other day treatments.)
3. These scutes in the back are in the process of shedding. I think the pale blochiness means they will be coming off in the near future. Is this correct? (I hope). The scutes in front are further along and look better. As these scutes shed they come off in very thin translucent sheets, which is closer to normal. When it's all normal they'll come off a whole scute at a time.
4. Here's some more of the really bad end cap build up. The end caps in the back aren't even loose yet.
SPOT'S BOTTOM
1. The bottom isn't as far along as the top. Some of the scutes have shed pretty well, like these three. When a bottom scute sheds, it's still in very thick pieces.
2. This is what the underneath part of the end caps looks like. Scary, isn't it. When the end cap comes off, the underneath scute look normal.
3. These big scutes are going to be shedding soon - they're starting to lift. When they shed, the pieces are going to be very thick. Pieces of some of them are peeling off already.
