Strange dry-pore looking holes

Blakem

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Hello all. I've searched and searched a possible answer to my problem, and cannot find even a possible solution. About two years ago, my Russian tortoise was diagnosed, through the forum, with what looked like shell rot. It looked like fresh shell was coming in, but now it's back.

Currently he is in a 3x3 two story terrarium. I choose not to hibernate for right now. His substrate is top soil and he's soaked two times a week because his skin gets really dry and he never has seemed to drink, that I've ever seen in 4 years of owning him. He has a MVB that's on during the day and a CHE for night time.

Should I just spray his shell and lay off soaks? While also spraying his food for hydration? I was only recommended to keep him in a tank away from moisture for 2-4 weeks. I'm at a loss....here's pictures.

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Blakem

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Yeah, I'm not sure. It's the exact spot where the shell rot was, so maybe an injury while the sensitive new shell was growing.
 

Yellow Turtle01

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Scar from the rot? I agree with Yvonne, it looks all dried up, so maybe a spot that needs to heal left behind?
 

ascott

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Hello all. I've searched and searched a possible answer to my problem, and cannot find even a possible solution. About two years ago, my Russian tortoise was diagnosed, through the forum, with what looked like shell rot. It looked like fresh shell was coming in, but now it's back.

Currently he is in a 3x3 two story terrarium. I choose not to hibernate for right now. His substrate is top soil and he's soaked two times a week because his skin gets really dry and he never has seemed to drink, that I've ever seen in 4 years of owning him. He has a MVB that's on during the day and a CHE for night time.

Should I just spray his shell and lay off soaks? While also spraying his food for hydration? I was only recommended to keep him in a tank away from moisture for 2-4 weeks. I'm at a loss....here's pictures.

View attachment 116496 View attachment 116497 View attachment 116498


Maybe clean it daily with a soft bristle tooth brush....take a couple pics at exact same place/time and such to assure the most matched surroundings and then keep track for yourself for any negative changes or to confirm that the spot is healing---it will take A LOOONNNGGG time for shell injury to heal up and even then the spot may never have perfect appearance, you know what I mean?
 

tortdad

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Yeah, like ascot said. Clean it daily and see if it changes. Obviously if it's getting worse you have a fresh injury and it needs to go back in the hospital tank.
 

HLogic

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It looks like dried soil packed into the cavity left by the shell rot. Soak the tort and try removing it with a toothbrush or similar. Keeping the cavity cleaner will allow the healing to occur more readily.
 

Blakem

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Okay,so I'll soak him and then use the tooth brosh. I guess I'll remove the top soil from his tank so that it doesn't get into the wound.
 

ascott

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Okay,so I'll soak him and then use the tooth brosh. I guess I'll remove the top soil from his tank so that it doesn't get into the wound.


No no...don't remove the soil...I would wait to do anything that drastic (that can and will likely cause great stress)....just lightly brush the spot --if there is no mucus or puss in the area (a wet sore) then it is likely an old healing spot and nothing to worry about...continue business as usual :D
 

Blakem

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Will do, I lightly brushed and its just the plastron healing. Thanks!
 

Blakem

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It looks like it's gotten bigger since I created this post....the second one is today. I had just soaked him so that's why it looks dark. I'm going to lay off the soaks I think.
 

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ascott

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It looks like it's gotten bigger since I created this post....the second one is today. I had just soaked him so that's why it looks dark. I'm going to lay off the soaks I think.


I do not see that it is worse? Also, look around the "spot"...the shell as an overall looks good...
 

Blakem

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Hmm, well. I'll just keep an eye on it then. Thanks.
 
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