Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've noticed this white stuff forming on my turtles shell. I've seen it so far on two out of four of my turtles. I bought this cream, Reptomin turtle vita shell, and i've been putting it on them, but it doesn't seem to help. What is this exactly, and how can i help them?

Another picture, different turtle

yet another picture

Do you have a good vet that will see your turtles? If so, take them in and have it looked at.... that is your best bet for diagnosis. If not.... take a close examination of the shells. Are the spots soft at all? Do the turtles have a strong fishy odor? Do the spots come off at all if scratched by a fingernail?

It could be shell rot (fungal or bacterial) or it could be hard water causing mineral deposits on the shell. Regardless you need to get a bedatine scrub (from the vet) and scrub all of the turtle's shells really good with it.

Message me if you have any more questions.

Ellena

You can also get the Betadine at any pharmacy - Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid, ect.

Get rid of the Vita Shell. It's a waste of money.
Could it be possible that the turtles are banging into something, such as a rock or log?

Katrina

The betadine is that red stuff right? Is that all i will have to do, rub that on their shells?

Like the other person asked, the spots aren't soft, they dont smell fishy, and the spots can't be scratched off.

if they were banging onto a rock of something, it would cause white spots like that? Here's a picture of my tank, is it possible that they could be banging on the bridge in the middle?

My vet said he would see them, but he wants $100 for the visit alone, medicine not included. I didn't want to spend that much if i could treat them myself.

The vitaShell is realy useless?

Vita Shell is useless.... most commercial products that they try to sell you at Petco and PetSmart are. Ok, well not most, but I will say that there is a lot out there that is crap.

Bedatine scrubs, make sure your turtles are spending enough time out of the water basking, and if you can, get your water checked. If it is indeed mineral deposits, it is mostly cosmetic and so their shell may not look so "pretty", but it is not something that will kill them. The vitamin E treatments are to help restore the shells "appearance."

I am getting the Bedatine scrub from my vet tomorrow.

Do i have to take a sample of the water somewhere to be tested, or can i do it at home?

I believe it can be done at home... there are test kits that you can buy at the store. Check at variety stores/hardweare/homeimprovement. I have seen them around but I can't remember off the top of my head what the price would run.

I know you can purchase a "water softener" machine that is hooked up to your water supply, but those can be REALLY spendy. You might want to look into other options... the condition (if it is that) sucks, but it is only cosmetic.

Good luck.

i used the betadine scrub today. It was like a mac and cheese orange when i scrubed it onto their shells. Some whitish stuff did come off! Their shells look a little better, the color is alot brighter too.

Is there any type of water tester that i should get, or are they all the same?

Thanks for all your help!

How often should i use the scrub?

That is great.. keep applying the scrub at least a couple times a week for about 2 weeks. Always make sure the turtle is rised really good before entering the tank environmet again and make sure none gets on their skin and eyes.

After the 2 weeks is when I would start with the vitamin E.

And any tester that says it tests for hard water should work fine.

Good luck.

Ellena

thanks, i'll be sure to be careful with them. Their shells are looking better. The color on them is even looking a little brighter!

When you said to start with the vitamin E after two weeks, what exactly should i be giving them? The cod liver oil? My vet actually told me not to give it to them, that i might give them too much and it can be harmful, what do you think?

Thanks for all the help,

Debbie