Scute come off

grasstrees

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The scute of my 78 year old spur thighed tortoise has come off. I've treated with betadine but wondered what else can I do? ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1489274917.630422.jpg
 

grasstrees

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The scute has come off the shell of this 78 year old spur thighed tortoise. I've treated with betadine and would be so grateful for some advice
Thanks ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1489275197.096222.jpg
 

GingerLove

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Oh dear!! I'm so sorry!!! I don't know what to tell you, I haven't dealt with this before. But I'm wishing you the best!!! And 78 years IS A LONG TIME!!! That's awesome!
 

Yvonne G

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It looks like the adjacent scutes are lifting too. Has he been too close to the light/heat?
 

grasstrees

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No - he was out all last summer and it started then . Should I scrape the white bit off?
 

Yvonne G

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No. The "white bit" is bone. You need to find out if there's an infection or fungus growing under those lifted scutes. If it were my tortoise I would take it to a good, qualified tortoise vet and find out what's going on under there.
 

GingerLove

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No. The "white bit" is bone. You need to find out if there's an infection or fungus growing under those lifted scutes. If it were my tortoise I would take it to a good, qualified tortoise vet and find out what's going on under there.
I agree! I don't think it's something you can fix by yourself. It's already too late for that scute.
 
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