Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just went out and check my male EBT. He was not very far down in his hibernation area. I took him in and weighed him, his weight was fine. I turned him over and checked his shell. His bottom shell appears to have a problem.

It looks like it was scrapped on something and bled a little in several places, but the reddness is under the scutes. I tried to wash it off but nothing came off.

I've had him for a few years. When I got him his top shell wqs not in great shape any way, but his bottom shell seemed ok.

I'm worried about septsis. Oh the other hand there is a lot of garnden waste in his pile. Could it just be a stain for some rotting plants?
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
2.0.0 eastern box turtles
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.8.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch rabbit
3.2.0 adult children
1.0.0 husband
AND
0.1.0 grandbaby!!

The only way to tell for sure is to have him examined by a reptile vet. I would probably bring him out of hibernation if there is a chance of sepsis.

I had to bring my juvenile out after 5 weeks as he appeared to have a respiratory infection. Luckily he does not so I am thinking of putting him back in to hibernation.

Good luck and keep us posted

Thanks for the reply.

I took him in last night. I checked him again when I got home this afternoon, and he is much improved! So I haven't called the vet. I guess outside hibernation is not in the cards for him this year!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtles
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.8.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch rabbit

Good to hear. I hope everything turns out OK.

By Friday he still hadn't improved any more so I took him in. The vet didn't know! He said he would consult with the other vet on Monday and get back to me.

The vet called today and said the only thing they could come up with is maybe the beginning of shell rot and to keep an eye on it and call back in a couple of weeks - unless it starts getting worse, then call right away.

He was outside in he hibernation pile. I'm wondering if it got cold too quickly for him and some little blood vessels froze or burst or some such thing?

Mysterious!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtles
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.8.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch rabbit

Sorry to hear he is no better. Can you try some betadine and water soaks. Maybe that will help clear up any outer shell issues. If it turns out to be systemic then of course injections would be necessary.

Hopefully it is something superficial. Keep us posted. Can you post a picture. I take every opportunity to learn something in case I ever have the same issue.
Linda

You can get a little Clotrimazole anti fungal cream..1%. It is for athlete's feet. If it's shell rot this will clear it right up in a few days. Clean the area and dry it good. Put a good amount and rub it in. Try to keep him on paper towels until it heals. Good luck.

The vet has me puting diluted betidine solution on it. However, I am out of town for several days, so I can't post a picture! If he still shows symptoms when I get home I will take a picture.

Thanks for the replies and "good luck". I sure will keep you posted!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtles
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.8.0 chickens
1.0.0 Dutch rabbit