Reptile & Amphibian Forums

about shell rot and what causes it. I don't have a RES but I have a common snapper who has shell rot and I need to find out what is causing it. Thanks
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3.0 Hypo Tang Leos, 1.0 Blizzard Leo, 0.1 het Blizzard Leo, 2.1 Tremper Tang/Albino Leos, 1.0 Knight Anole, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx, 1.1 Green Iguana, 1.1 Ball Pythons, 1.0 Green Anole, a Common Snapping Turt, 1 Dark Fire/1 Normal Crested Geckos, 0.1 Columbian Red-Tail Boa
www.geocities.com/multiplemorphherpetoculture

does he/she have a place where they can get completely out of the water? basking lamp? heat lamp?
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~Nancy
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My Pets:
9 year old West Highland White Terrier - Bridget
Slider Turtle Hatchling - Herb
Three Bettas - Depp, Shakespeare, & Jeremiah
Two Ghost Shrimp - Harold and Maude
RIP:
Isis - albino rat
Jamie - Red eared slider

Yes and No. He has a place were he can get out of the water but....ther is no heat lamp. I am though, going to be adding one within today and tomorrow.
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3.0 Hypo Tang Leos, 1.0 Blizzard Leo, 0.1 het Blizzard Leo, 2.1 Tremper Tang/Albino Leos, 1.0 Knight Anole, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx, 1.1 Green Iguana, 1.1 Ball Pythons, 1.0 Green Anole, a Common Snapping Turt, 1 Dark Fire/1 Normal Crested Geckos, 0.1 Columbian Red-Tail Boa
www.geocities.com/multiplemorphherpetoculture

that should help. =)
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~Nancy
Email Me
My Page
My Pets:
9 year old West Highland White Terrier - Bridget
Slider Turtle Hatchling - Herb
Three Bettas - Depp, Shakespeare, & Jeremiah
Two Ghost Shrimp - Harold and Maude
RIP:
Isis - albino rat
Jamie - Red eared slider

Shell rot can be caused by bacteria or fungus, and usually poor water conditions and/or decreased immune function lead to shell rot. An open wound or even a simple scratch can allow infection to take hold - make sure there are no places where the turtle might scratch or scrap itself in the tank, and that the tank isn't overcrowded with turtles.

Soemtimes a vet might be needed to debride infected tissue and prescribe antibiotics or an antifungal, if you have a reptile vet in the area. Srubbing the affected area with Betadine and a soft toothbrush and allowing some "dry dock" time can help.

There are a number of articles on shell rot on the Internet, if you do a word search on the subject. I think the California turtle and tortoise club might have a good article at their website.

Katrina