Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have some c.b. european ponds with a skin infection. I am keeping them the same way I keep my spotteds but it will not go away. Any ideas on what I can do to stop the infection? Thank you ,Tom

Hey Tom,
It could be dangerous if I told you of a medication to use, since there's no way for me to determine whether it's bacterial or fungal. The very best thing you can do in lieu of Veterinary care is dry docking them. Put them in the water a few times daily to eat and drink. At all other times, keep them dry. I know that this is tough with hatchlings, as they are prone to dessication. You'll have to use your judgement.

I know that you often acidify the water for your Spots. Is the Euro water acidified? If not, try the blackwater extract or your tea trick.

I can tell you one thing...Chlorhexidine solution is commonly sold at larger retail pet shops. It may be under a brand name. It has both antifungal and antibacterial properties. You can easily make it into a weak solution for use as a dip, or more concentrated as a spot treatment. It's very safe, but I'd still be careful about making contact with their eyes, nares, and mouth. Good luck.

I just purchased the black water extract today. I will try that and the dry docking. I wouldn't use the tea bags again after talking to you . Thanks
Tom

Do you have any adults, or just the hatchlings? I don't hear a lot from people who keep them. I'm curious as to what you think of them. I know one thing...they can sure foul some water! They're about as good at it as a snapper.

Tom, as you know, with hatchlings and youngsters it's difficult to medicate. I have had great success with using Lamisil ointment. It's used to cure jock itch among other things. I dry dock the turtles and apply some and keep them dry for 24 hours. Like Ken stated before, it's hard for me to tell you what to do because something could end up killing them. Unfortunatley even though we hear it ALL the time....getting them to a vet might be your best bet.

Just to add on to all the other posts, I have had excellent success using Pimafix (antifungal) and Melafix (antibacterial) used for fish infections. You should be able to get them at your local pet/fish store (ie PetsMart). Use them simultaneously. Both also promote quick healing once the original ailment subsides. I have also heard Acriflavin (also at pet/fish stores) works excellent on skin infections. Pimafix and Melafix can both be added directly to the water by following the directions on the bottles. Acriflavin will turn the water of their tanks green, so should be used as a soaking method. Also as you probably know, keep the water extra clean. In addition to keeping the filters very clean when an infection arises, I also change 100% of the water every day or every other day depending on the situation for maximum cleanliness. One way of helping to prevent skin infections is by adding a scoop of ground ~pure NaCl rock salt (Lowe's, Home Depot's, etc. plumbing sections) to the tank, but not enough to make it brackish. I also use both Pimafix and Melafix (in lower doses than would be used for an infection) as a preventative every time I do a water change. Hope this extra info helps some. Good luck.

-jg

I'm probably more hesitant than I should be, but I'm so reserved about offering information regarding medications. Thank goodness for Chris and JG! Both of their suggestions are great!

Like Chris, I've used over the counter medications for fungal spot treatments. My three-toed box turtles are horribly succeptible to fungal shell infections. Basically, anything with the suffix -azole is useful as an antifungal. About a week of daily spot treatments on the areas usually takes care of it.

JG is right about the fish related medications...they are formulated to be very safe. This would probably be your best bet if the turtles don't take favorably to dry docking. As shy as mine are, I can imagine that it'll be difficult to get them to eat after the stress of being out of water all day and night.

As you can tell, I love blackwater extract. Certain turtles really seem to do better with constantly acidic water. When I was a kid and kept my Spotted turtles, I'd walk 1/4 mile to my neighborhood lake with two 5 gallon buckets to get water for their little pond. The water was tannin-stained and acidic...we called it cedar water. Now, I can virtually create the same water with a simple drive to the pet store. Euro ponds are habitat generalists, like Spotted turtles. However, their morphology, swimming ability, and desire to hide in vegetation makes me think that they prefer heavily vegetated bodies of water...those are normally more acidic.

Does anyone know about the relationship between water acidity and shell pitting? I've never had a problem with pitting, but I've been told that keeping turtles in acidic water can create the problem.

I am using the black water extract and so far so good. I keep them dry for about 12 hours a day and clean the effected area with betadine.
As for the turtles themselves they are C.B 06. They seem to be alot like spotteds but I have only had them for 6 weeks. Thank you all for your help.
Tom