General Care Discussion :: "Sunburned" turtle

[stealthpilot]

Does the UVB bult need to be directly above the basking area, or can it be over the water and just the basking bulb over the basking area?

[kmichael55]

Both need to be over the basking area.

[Bascomb]

Yep-- Both need to be over the basking area. UVB is useless to a turtle after it hits the water. He needs both UVA and UVB and warmth of about 90 degrees while basking. Most of the rays dispurse after it hits the water and only helps the algea a bit.

[stealthpilot]

Ok, I've rearranged his lighting appropriately. Is it ok to use a small light to light up the rest of the tank? It's rather dark with all the light on the dry area.

[grey goose]

Call me crazy, but I think there is something radically wrong with your turtle. The pic you posted when she was nine months old shows some brown spots on the neck and head. This could (or maybe not) indicate radiation poisoning or "sunburn" as you originally mentioned at the start of this thread......
Please tell us the EXACT UVB bulb you are using. Is it a long tube or a compact? Is it a 5.0 or a 10.0? Tell us EXACTLY what the distance was before these symptoms began and what is the distance of the UVB bulb now. It is obvious to me this has been going on longer than you have indicated (or noticed).

When I first set up my habitat, I went overboard with the UVB and "dosed" my kids with too much UVB. Big Daddy got the worst of it, and I noticed he had a small brown spot on his neck, smaller but the same as the pic you posted..........

[megcornell]

You know grey goose, I thought the same thing, he looks like his system's been wiped out by UV radiation.
But I thought the issue was that there wasn't a bulb so I crossed that theory out in my head.

[grey goose]

This could be an extreme case of over exposure to UVB. Maybe cut off the UVB altogether for awhile...

[marisa]

Quite a thread going on here...From what I can make of it, a new Reptisun 5.0, 18-inch flourescent tube was installed at the beginning of the month (Nov. 2?), after the original post had been made about the turtle's problem. This is a good bulb, relatively safe (as save as any reputable UVB light can be), and I wouldn't have any qualms about having it 8 inches from the turtle, unless the turtle were exhibiting problems that were different from those already noted.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the original post, the use of a UVB light wasn't even mentioned (a 50- or 75-watt one was being used, 5-6 inches from the turtle), so I'm wondering if the turtle even had a UVB light at that time. Lack of proper lighting, and lack of a UVB light (if there wasn't one) could affect coloration to some extend. Unless I'm missing something, I really don't see how excessive radiation could be a factor here...

And this turtle's color is pale, it was at 9 months, it is the more recent pic. The stripes on the limbs that I see as white in the pictures are yellow on my RES...I really don't see anything that I'd consider to be really puffy, and as for brown spots, the faint coloration I see, could just be the pic.

The turtle's eyes are improving? The redness on the top of the head is disappearing? The turtle is eating and behaving normally otherwise? He will be brought back to the vet for a follow-up appt?

If there was no UVB light before (or if the one that was being used was really old), I'd use the new one. I'd keep providing some additional vitamin A in the diet. Stealthpilot, you might also try some pieces of steamed pumpkin (it's in season), squash, red bell peppers rather than only carrots as additional sources of Vit A.

And all I see are pictures of the turtle either in the water or just coming out of the water when his skin is still wet---there's a glare and the skin looks shiny. Perhaps if you waited and took a picture when the turtle was fully dry, it would be easier to see what the skin issue is...

Oh, and stealthpilot, yes you can use another light to brighten the light in the tank. I have a floor lamp on the opposite end of my RES's (stock) tank to increase the lighting in it.

[stealthpilot]

From what I can make of it, a new Reptisun 5.0, 18-inch flourescent tube was installed at the beginning of the month (Nov. 2?), after the original post had been made about the turtle's problem.

That is correct. I had a previous bulb, not sure what brand or power, but it obviously ran out of UVB "juice" because it was over 1 1/2 yrs old. I got the 5.0 18inch one after I visited the vet.

The turtle's eyes are improving? The redness on the top of the head is disappearing? The turtle is eating and behaving normally otherwise? He will be brought back to the vet for a follow-up appt?

Yes, his eyes are improving a lot. The redness is also gone. He is a little reluctant to get on his new basking area. I've temped it, and it is about 83-86 degrees, while the water is around 74-77 degrees. He eats normally and swims a lot and rests a lot, he likes to cling to the output of the filter, I guess its like a spa??.

you might also try some pieces of steamed pumpkin (it's in season), squash, red bell peppers rather than only carrots as additional sources of Vit A.

Sounds good, I'm sure he would like a new taste.

And all I see are pictures of the turtle either in the water or just coming out of the water when his skin is still wet---there's a glare and the skin looks shiny. Perhaps if you waited and took a picture when the turtle was fully dry, it would be easier to see what the skin issue is...

Here is one of Destin on a walk...




Does that help?[/quote]

[marisa]

Thank you for posting the picture, I feel better actually seeing Destin in action. This picture was taken more recently than the others?

I have to say though, that the distance the picture was taken at really doesn't do anything to show what the skin issues are (or if there are any)---Destin is too far away... You need to provide a close-up of his head and neck when he's dry if you want anyone to comment on whether there's a real problem or not.

What is really noticeable in that pic, however, is the lumpiness of the shell. I've forgotten if you said what you've been feeding him (and I'm not going to try to find it in the thread), so I'll ask---what has his diet been like? How often is he fed and how much is he given at a feeding? Has he ever shed his scutes?

[stealthpilot]

Here is one I took this evening.

What is really noticeable in that pic, however, is the lumpiness of the shell. I've forgotten if you said what you've been feeding him (and I'm not going to try to find it in the thread), so I'll ask---what has his diet been like? How often is he fed and how much is he given at a feeding? Has he ever shed his scutes?

I've been feeding him the Reptomin Floating Food pellets, or the Wardley's equivalent, whatever Wal-Mart has in stock (no Pet's Mart in my area) I feed him daily, about as many pellets as the size of his head. I haven't offered him any veggies till recently, with the most recent being carrots. I have also offered him lettuce and aquatic plants. He has always had a fish or two with him. 2 guppies, several ghost shrimp, and 1 goldfish currently.
As for scute shedding, I don't know what this looks like so I can't say yes or no.

EDIT:

I've added a topic to the Habitat-Indoor thread. I'm having problems with Destin actually basking on his new dock, Installed about a week ago. Check it out if you don't mind.

[stealthpilot]

Another update: He is eating carrots pretty regularly and also green leaf lettuce I have been offering him. I have also been applying the cod liver oil to each eye once a day, and it seems to be working. His eyes are doing much better. I can see his pupils now. He is also basking on his new dock I built regularly also, so maybe he can get his color back.

[marisa]

He's looking better, though I'm still seeing some reddishness on the neck (a reflection?)...Just curious, but is it possible to safely put the UVB light more at a kitty-corner and aim the heat light more so that they blend together better?

[Tashawn131]

I think mine has sunburn on its shell.... Can any body help me? He/She(bowser) is about 3-4 months old and
1.5-2 inches. I do not have any heating system yet but i always take it outside to absorb sunlight.

[steve]

What part looks sunburned to you?