Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok below is a link to some pictures of Juliet's Shell problem, you can click on any of the pictures for a larger picture. about (800x600 in size). These are after almost a week of treatment (once a day) What I'm a bit worried about is more seem to be showing up. I've been treating her whole upper shell and the spot on her left side I'm going to keep doing this for as long as it takes.. I've been also keeping the water clean as I can. What is really bothering me though is the whole bottom of her shell. The first layer is flaky, and apprears pitted.. so it really looks like her bottom really needs it also. What really bothers me is all this started to happen after I got this 90 gal. tank up and running. Do you think the slate rock I have for the basking area could be leaching something in the water? I de-contaminated it with a heavy dose of chlorine water for 20 min when I first got it. The male Turtle is fine, nothing wrong with his shell at all. Both of them eat well, and bask lots. Thanks . . Tony
Link to Pictures of Juliet's Shell Problem

It is shell rot and much of it appears to have already run it's course BUT you must be diligent with treating it. If there is any soft tissue or red opens sores or bleeding from the rotted areas once you have cleaned them out I would recommend a trip to the vet so that he/she can check to see if the turtle has any systemic infection going on.

For superficial stuff be sure to clean off the areas thoroughly. Rinse the turtle off dry her and then appy betadine to the after areas and gently clean them with a toothbrush (if you are dealing with hard boney areas. IF their are soars I would reccomend cleaning with a soft cloth rather than a toothbrush because it can really cause the animal alot of pain.
Rinse turtle thoroghly and dry it off again.

Then I would drydock the animal for the rest of the day and only allow her a few hours a day in rubbermaid tub with clean tap water in it so that she can stay well hydrated and eat. Otherwise keep her dry. I am currently treating to animals for this condition and they get water time for about 3 hours a day only. It is vitally important to keep the turtle dry when it has this condition.

The cause of shell rot is from bacteria getting under scutes that are not peeling off the turtle. Bacteria can build up in the under these scutes and cause rotting and pitting. It may not be that new rotted areas are suddenly appearing. They may have been brewing all along and just coming to the surface.

If red soars (as mentioned before)or red streaks are appearing I would just take the animal to the vet. Don't waste time seeing if they will go away. If she does have a systemic infection she needs immediate medical assistance before or you may risk organ failure.

Steve

So, how do you suppose she got Shell Rot in the first place?

Sometimes when scutes do not shed off the turtle water can get trapped under them and bacteria will build up causing the rot.

Ah, I see.. I did notice she didn't shed them much, her shell looks thick.. sometimes when I notice air or water under.. I check to see if it's ready to come off. thats probably why the male is good.. I wonder why there the female has not been shedding them off.

I have a HUGE Florida Cooter and she has the same problem. They seem to chip off in bits but never a full scute. I have to peel them as they start to raise off of her. If you do this be very careful. It is does not lift easily for removal than don't pick at it or try to pull it off.

Steve