Not sure how to help him with his shell.

Stacy N-B · Jan 16, 2019

Long story short. I have a tortoise that is in need of some help. I know nothing about his life prior. He is definatly in need of some things but I am unsure of what. He also has this white stuff under neath and on his legs. I'm not sure whats going on with his shell or what to do from here. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Toddrickfl1 · Jan 16, 2019

I can't help you but let me send a shout to some folks who probably can. @Yvonne G @Will @Markw84 @Tom Do you know what this is? Fungus? Did somebody paint it possibly?

Markw84 · Jan 16, 2019

The first picture looks like the tortoise was covered in paint. Are the other shots after the paint was removed?

I don't see fungus, but if it is paint removed, it looks like the paint was harming the keratin, and you have partially damaged keratin. Especially the fresh developing keratin along the growth seams look to be most affected. If you could be more precise about what you are concerned about as the pictures look so different from each other in condition of shell. The last picture does not look too bad. Some abrasion marks along the marginals, but otherwise pretty good.

Yvonne G · Jan 16, 2019

Looks like someone washed him with whitewash a while ago, then they tried rubbing it off.

I don't have words of wisdom for you, but I can tell you what I would do: I would coat the shell with cold pressed coconut oil then let it sit a while to see if the oil might soften the whitewash. Then I'd take a soft bristle brush and gently scrub the shell. Then I'd polish off the oil with an absorbent cloth and just let him be. What's on the shell will eventually wear off on its own.

You could even try washing him with a brush , water and baby shampoo.

Stacy N-B · Jan 17, 2019

I have no clue as to what it is or why it's even like that. It's not paint. I thought that it was at first glance. It came off like a chalky substance. It's easier to remove when wet. Had an odd odor (maybe fishy) to the stuff that came off. When it dried it turned really hard again. Underneath the white stuff is dark shell. It's not the same height as the normal shell. It's like the shell erode away. I'm sure the white stuff was at one time his shell. But it's on his feet and legs. (not sure it's relevant) He really likes to be in the shower. I've had him less than a week. When I bring him in the house. If he hears the shower on. He will go get in it and stay in it as long as the water is warm. His eyes haven't been normal either. When I first got him he had a weepy eye that drained down his face. And at times he gets mucus in one of his eyes.

Blackdog1714 · Jan 17, 2019

The white residue could be from being exposed to a hard water from an unfiltered well. The residue could be worse because of its corrosive effect.

Sesel · Jan 17, 2019

Stacy N-B said:
View attachment 262538

The first photo reminds me of a tortoise's shell after it has been dead for a while.

View attachment 223250

I've seen the 'white' on a live animal but not to that extent.

Not sure what causes it. Fungus, shell 'decomposing'?

Yvonne G · Jan 18, 2019

I'm pretty sure it's whitewash (which has a fishy smell):

white·wash
/ˈ(h)wītˌwäSH,ˈ(h)wītˌwôSH/
noun

1.
a solution of lime and water or of whiting, size, and water, used for painting walls white.

Gillian M · Jan 18, 2019

Toddrickfl1 said:
I can't help you but let me send a shout to some folks who probably can. @Yvonne G @Will @Markw84 @Tom Do you know what this is? Fungus? Did somebody paint it possibly?

It seems to me that someone has painted the poor thing.

Stacy N-B · Jan 18, 2019

Markw84 said:
The first picture looks like the tortoise was covered in paint. Are the other shots after the paint was removed?

Yes the other pics are: #1 is before I cleaned him up #2 is a closeup of how the shell looks after removing the white #3 is showing mostly the area that didn't have the white stuff and of his leg. I'm not sure if you've ever used drywall mud. That's what the stuff that came off resembled. He also has it on his underside but it's not near that much. It's not paint or drywall mud. I'm pretty sure it was at one time his shell. It was the same height as the "normal" areas. Had the same growth lines as the shell underneath. It was really thick; in some areas 1/2 in. Came off as a dust when it was dry. The area that look like someone tried to wipe off. That's where I took a wet cloth and scrubbed. It was so much easier to get off when wet. The stuff that came off was hard as a rock when it dried. There are areas of the "normal" shell that look like it might come off (I'll get a pic).
I don't know what is wrong with him. Don't know what to expect or how to treat it. Can I prevent further deterioration? I'm concerned that he might need more than just a good scrub. Is there anything I can do for him now that will help the shell recover? Can I put him on a 5 gal bucket to elevate him so I can get to his underside? or is there a better way to do that.
My vet suspects that there could have been something applied to his shell that started all this. Said it's not uncommon for people to paint their shells. He doesn't feel that there is a definite answer to be given on why he is like this. His shell should will improve and some of the outer layer of keratin will still come off. I need to give him as much time in natural sun as I can. Feed him a well balanced diet. Add calcium to food. Wasn't really thrilled of the idea to apply anything to his shell right now. Basically give it time and lets see what happens.
Does anyone have anything to add to this plan?

Stacy N-B · Jan 18, 2019

This is also a current photo of one of his front legs. Vet said to gently scrub these areas. He's really good about letting me clean him up but this area doesn't come off as easily

This is also a current photo. Shows the edges of normal shell. I'm not sure if it will continue to deteriorate.

This is a current pic of him dry

This is a before photo. Not the best

Stacy N-B · Jan 18, 2019

That's exactly what it's like (dead shell). Looks the same as pic only much more severe.

Blackdog1714 · Jan 18, 2019

Poor gut glad he has such a caring person in his life now!

TammyJ · Jan 18, 2019

It does seem to be whitewash. What a shame. Sure he will improve with proper care.

Markw84 · Jan 18, 2019

It certainly looks like this guy has been subjected to a sustained contact with something quite caustic.

I would keep trying to clean best you can, and then apply a cold pressed coconut oil to the shell to help keep the shell more hydrated, and any new growth supple.

Stacy N-B · Jan 18, 2019

I will try coconut oil. Thank you everyone. I'll document his journey as best as I can. it might help someone else out one day. He's supper sweet and very friendly. He surly deserves to be a "pampered pet".

DesertGirl · Jan 24, 2019

Stacy N-B said:
I will try coconut oil. Thank you everyone. I'll document his journey as best as I can. it might help someone else out one day. He's supper sweet and very friendly. He surly deserves to be a "pampered pet".

Then you be the pamperer!

Tee · Jan 24, 2019

Yvonne G said:
Looks like someone washed him with whitewash a while ago, then they tried rubbing it off.

I don't have words of wisdom for you, but I can tell you what I would do: I would coat the shell with cold pressed coconut oil then let it sit a while to see if the oil might soften the whitewash. Then I'd take a soft bristle brush and gently scrub the shell. Then I'd polish off the oil with an absorbent cloth and just let him be. What's on the shell will eventually wear off on its own.

You could even try washing him with a brush , water and baby shampoo.

I agree with your advice. Good coconut will do alot for the shell. The last picture looks ok 1st does look like humans painting or white washing him. Maybe even bleach. No matter what, 2nd picture appears to show a very dried out shell. Hopefully he is eating and seeing good.

Not sure how to help him with his shell.

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