Fungus / Dry rot? Need some help please.

[Jrham08]

My tortoise is about 4 years old and up until 6 months ago I hadn't really had any issues. First 3 yrs were pretty much spent indoors under mercury vapor bulbs with the occasional summer outside with sun and shade available. I live in AZ and it seemed like this summer was the right time to get him a more permanent spot in the yard. He's been outside now for a few months and has a buried box to get out of the sun and heat, his diet consists of grasses, hibiscus leaves, weeds, Mazuri tortoise food and he gets the rare strawberry or watermelon but not often. In the last few months the quality /appearance of his shell has greatly degraded, he now has strange spots and the shell almost appears to be growing differently in certain areas. I've been treating him with iodine and athletes foot cream thinking it was possibly a fungus but I really don't think it's helping. I've included some pictures that I took that hopefully highlight the issue. Any help is greatly appreciated


Thanks
Jason

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I don't know what that is.
But I'm pretty confident that it isn't fungal.
How long have you noticed it?
I'd lay off the iodine because it slows down healing and I assume those are scrapes and scratches.
Are they depressed areas like scrapes? Or totally smooth?
And....Are we positive that these aren't dog teeth marks?

 

[Jrham08]

Thanks for the super quick response. I'll definitely lay off the iodine and yes it does sort of look like trauma, it is depressed like a scratch. My mind is reeling what could be causing it. At one point he could get close to my AC units and he would wedge himself under the conduit but I've never seen any damage from it. I have since blocked that area off. As far as I can recall I only remember seeing it maybe within the last couple months since he's been outside. Any recommendations on anything for shell health in this situation?

 

[Tom]

This is what happens when you put them outside in a dry climate like ours. Its not fungus.

How are you housing it outside? Does it have a burrow? Heated night box? Humid retreat of any kind? Are you soaking the tortoise? How often?

 

[Jrham08]

He has a buried box with lid thats covered and insulated from the sun. ( think buried dog house). It has dirt in the bottom that he digs around in but he's contained in the box once he goes in. I'm not sure thay makes sense. He does not have an additional humid retreat. He does have a small watering / soaking area that is about 4 inches deep twice a day but I've never seen him in it. I'm in the process of building a larger shaded area but I broke my clavicle and had to have surgery so thay set me back.

Thanks for all the advice and help!

 

[Tom]

...but I broke my clavicle and had to have surgery so thay set me back.

Motocross?

I like to let them burrow in summer. Its the only way for them to escape the extreme summer heat topside. In winter, I make them sleep in their heated night boxes and I put tubs of water in them to add humidity. I also feed a lot of spineless opuntia pads which helps to keep them hydrated.

Here are two night box examples:

Single Tortoise Night Box

I like my larger tortoises to live outside full time. My climate permits this year round with a little help. For people who live where it snows all winter, this type of box is still good for warmer weather, getting them out earlier in Spring, and keeping them out a bit later into fall. You'll...

tortoiseforum.org

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

These humidified shelters help keep the growth looking smoother and better in my dry desert climate.

 

[Jrham08]

Mountain biking actually ?
Seems like I have some work to do on my setup. Thanks for all the info Tom I really appreciate it.

 

[Maro2Bear]

While you are working on the humid shelters, you might want to set up a few automatic sprinklers and provide a good mist a few times per day.

 

[Jrham08]

I've been providing what I hope is a bit more humidity and just made a cement soaking pond for him but I'm still worried about this spot. I just took this picture 10 minutes ago, is there anything else someone might suggest for additional shell health in such a dry hot climate. Do you see any reason to go to a vet?
All help and suggestions are appreciated

Thanks Jason