Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently one of the diamondback's shell has been turning white between the scutes. i recently went on vacation and came back to see it has not healed and has gotten worse. it seems like the black outside of the shell is sort of peeling and the white is under it. Could this be from not drying out enough?? right now its in a separate container with a heat light to dry him out for a while... is there anything else i can do and any suggestions how long intervuls it should go out of water with the light on it??

sorry for the long post please help

It is probably shell rot. Can you get a picture? I would take him to a vet. In the mean time, get a toothbrush and some soap and water, and scrub the infected shell. Then get some polysporin and apply to the affected areas. Then you will have to keep him dry. Keep hinm dry all day eccept for a few hours when you feed him. Your turtle will not like it, but it is for his own good. I recently had a shell rot problem on a painted turtle that somebody gave to me, and this is what I did. I also took her to the vet and she got some antibiotics and some silvidyne cream. Hers was bad though.

I agree but i wouldn't use any "soap".
Use vinegar instead.

Also what is the pH of your water?

You may find it needs to be higher and cleaner.

Change it more often

Dry docking is okay and very helpful

Is the turtle a hatchling? If so, dry docking can be dangerous.

what type of vinegar do you mean?? This is not a hatchling it is about 3.25-3.5 inches.
thanks..

I have used the Zoo Med sulfa dip for turtles with pretty good results.
Using this in conjunction with drydocking, and signs of fungal problems I had went away in no time.

Where could i get this medical dip you mention??
thanks

I'm in CT, and it seems every pet shop has it.
It's a Zoo Med product, so it should be easy to find.
Zoo Med Repti Turtle Sulfa Dip

Shell rot is usually not caused by fungus it is a bacterial problem. You should first go to the vet get the animal evaluated before treating it.