well, junior just had his vet visit earlier today -- i liked the new vet, who seemed to be much more experienced in reptiles than the other one i recently saw.

the spots on he corners of his eyes are already getting a bit better -- one has mostly healed -- and the doctor said that he likely was irritated by something and did it by wiping with his arm or something. because it is healing he didn't seem to be concerned about it as long as it continues.

the "seams" becoming more prominent along his plastron also did not seem to concern him much. he said that as long as what is going on is symmetrical, it's likely just normal growth which will fill in. it's not like it's cracking or anything, but i hadn't noticed it being so prominent before.

as for the white spots in the new growth on his carapace, they aren't really soft, and any flakyness is consistent with little bits here and there on his shell. they have occurred before and eventually darkened, but again this hasn't happened to such an extent. he sais that it does not appear to be any form of rot or anything.

overall as far as his shell goes the vet says that it's probably just because he is growing now and such changes may be more noticeable because he is bigger.

junior has again earned a completely clean bill of health. i suppose that because a few things have been different about him lately, i panicked, thinking that perhaps they were symptomatic of a possible larger underlying problem.

thanks to all who have responded to my post. i truly appreciate that this community has so many helpful individuals who are looking out for each other!

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