Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello everyone,

I was looking through random turtle forums, and was noticing a few mentions of "shell rot". Aside from of course taking the poor little guy to the vet, is there any treatments available that can be done at home? What are some of the early signs of shell rot?

Of course I dont necessarily expect anyone to sit at home and educate me on turtle ailments, so if anyone could provide a website link or something of that sort that has the information I am looking for or any books that they recommend that would be great as well.

Thnx for your help.

If he truely has shell rot, he needs a vet. A really good site is www.anapsid.org/mainchelonians.html. Besides good general information there is an article on shell rot and a herp vet listing if you need one.

If your turtle truelly had shell rot BELIEVE me you'd know. The shell would be rotting away in places hence the name. It's good to be knowledgable though. I've seen before and after pictures and its amazing how much the rot can improve if treated.

If your turtle truely has "shell rot", I agree, it will need a vet. Shell rot is the term for a systemic bacterial infection. That means a bacteria is infecting the turtles system and not just a local area. Symptoms look like local unsymetrical discolorations or wounds on the shell but are caused from a system wide infection. Only injectable antibiotics will cure it. Left untreated, a turtle can eventually die. Open lesions usually have a bad smell. See the link below. The Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society recently added a new web page showing various diseases in turtles. There are four photos of turtles with bacterial shell rot. Shell Rot can be very difficult to see until it is well advanced sometimes. Look for the unsymetrical spots (spots that do not have a matching spot on the other side of the shell) as opposed to a pattern that matches on both sides. The Central Am. Wood Turtle was very difficult to see the rot in the early stages. Spots can be white, dark or pink.
Photos of turtles diseases and other unusual areas