Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I was double checking my Redfoot for dog-induced damage, I noticed what I thought was healed shell rot was maybe...not. First, the all-important picture:

The lighter-colored areas are firm to the touch, but I noticed that if I scrape it lightly with my fingernail, it shaves off, leaving a different colored area underneath that seems to be hard. See the area in the circle:

Is this in fact "active" shell rot? I read thoroughly the description and am still not sure. Granted, I'm FAIRLY sure it is, but not positive.

Wet SCUD: This is either bacterial infection or fungal infection. This is usually the result of a crack, break, cut or other type of lesion in the shell that has become infected. The typical cause for a fungal infection is the turtle being unable to get completely dry. This condition is usually white and/or yellow, smells really bad, and is squishy with pussy discharge not uncommon. Untreated, it can quickly progress into septicemia.

While it is whitish/yellowish, so is his entire plastron, so I don't know if that's a symptom., although these patches are certainly lighter in color than the rest of his shell. It does not smell, is not squishy, and does not have any discharge.

If the consensus is that he does have shell rot, how do I treat it? Most of the treatments seems geared towards water turtles (below):

1. Clean infected areas thoroughly with a strong, undiluted betadine, iodine or Nolvasan solution. Let the turtle air dry in a warm setting for about 45 minutes.
2. Apply a generous coating of Silvadene cream. Work into problem areas.
3. Leave the turtle dry and warm, ensuring that you do not over-heat, for 18-21 hours each day.
4. The next day, scrub entire shell with a one of the previously mentioned solutions, using a soft-bristled toothbrush
5. Place them into fresh, clean water. Let them swim, drink and eat for approximately 1 - 1 ½ hours.
6. Repeat procedure from Step 1.

Would it be the same only without step five? Would I give him his normal daily 15 minute soaks and misting?

Other than this, he's active, eats extremely well, and had his first poop!

More like shell fungus but the results are the same. It does spread rapidly and is very contageous under the right conditions.
But the treatments you outlined are exactly correct. Once the condition is improved and you keep the tortoise under better conditions it will be fine. In fact, clear it up now and by the time he is full grown you won't even be able to see where the stuff was.

I've only had him since Saturday, so hopefully the conditions I have him in now are far better than what they were wherever he was before that caused this.

I start treatment tonight! Fingers crossed!

Looks fungal? You might want to have a qualified vet look at him, but otherwise the treatment outlined seems fairly sound. I always like the opinion of a good herp vet though before I do most treatments on my reptiles.

It might have been caused from substrate that was actually wet, and not just moist. Or possibly from not having anywhere dry to go hang out. It's hard to tell though. I'm sure someone will have more insight.

I have NO idea what conditions he was in before I got him on Saturday, but hopefully his current ones are a vast improvement. The REALLY sucky thing is that there are no good herp vets in my area at all. They are okay to get prescriptions from and maybe bounce ideas off of, but as far as diagnosing and treatment they aren't up to task.

Ah. Well hopefully someone will be able to give you some better answers than I have. Have you tried searching for pictures of shell rot or shell fungus? You might be able to diagnose it yourself if you have something to compare it to.

Would your vet be willing to consult a herp vet via phone and email (with pics) in order to get a proper diagnosis and treatment advice?

Nina

You want that animal checked, to play it safe. My turtle was kept in a dry tank, Betadine soaks and scrubbed with a toothbrush to clean the wounds, some violet iodine on the ulcers helped them dry up, until I saw the vet. Silvadene and an antibiotic helped her heal up, but in her case she also had edema, and vitamin a deficiency. Some shots helped her heal, and some calcium helped her build up her shell.

Just to be safe, take her to be checked so that anything seeming not obvious may be spotted, and treated...Just in case, please

Wanda