Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a western painted turtle who appears to be shedding his scutes. However, they are not falling off on there own. It has been like that for a couple months, the scutes are loose but simply isn't shedding them off. Can I pick the loose scutes off. I thought I heard somewhere this can cause shell rot. Is there anything I can do to aid in his shedding. Thanks

I took my western painted to the vet for a check up, he had this same thing going on. The vet stood there & pulled them off while saying I can't stand to look at this. LOL

When I clean my turtle tanks & "bathe" the turtles before putting them back in because they have bacteria & what have you stuck to the shell from the unclean water so I think why would I want to put them into the clean tank without a bath first?
I spray on a very mild solution of diluted chlorhexidine for the bath which is really a shower along with a dog toothbrush. I rub gently with the soft brush.
That often causes those loose scutes to come off.. it's never caused a problem so far, I've been doing this for 13 years.
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PHRatz

Thanks for getting back to me. I have been peeling off the dried scutes. It reminds me when I was a little kid pulling elmers glue off my fingers. I have been dry docking her under a heat lamp for a couple hours everyday and she is start to shed real good now. Thanks again