Small red colouring on shell

[Tomhayter]

Today I have noticed that my 4 year old Russian tortoise Darwin has a slight red colouring under his middle scute at the front of his shell. I have uploaded two pictures, on the second middle scute from the front there is a small red colouring. Is this anything to worry about? I’m not sure what this could be? Can anyone help?

Thank you

Tom

 

[Bambam1989]

It looks to me like he has bruised it? Is there anything in his enclosure he could have hit?

 

[Tomhayter]

Well today he managed to get under the wooden parting in his enclosure by pushing it up (first time he’s done that). On the other side are some smaller Russians.
So if it is a bruise, will this heal naturally? Is it anything to worry about?

 

[Bambam1989]

I don't believe there is anything to do for it. It may be tender for a while. Sort of like when you smash a fingernail.
Because I am not an expert, I fully recommend getting a second opinion from another forum member... Someone should chime in soon

 

[Tomhayter]

Ok thanks, will wait and see if someone else can leave a second opinion!

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Is that the only red spot? Have you checked his plastron? Not saying it is but when you see red spots it can indicate sepsis which is very bad. Just my thoughts. I am sure someone else will come along to help.

 

[Cheryl Hills]

Today I have noticed that my 4 year old Russian tortoise Darwin has a slight red colouring under his middle scute at the front of his shell. I have uploaded two pictures, on the second middle scute from the front there is a small red colouring. Is this anything to worry about? I’m not sure what this could be? Can anyone help?

Thank you

Tom

Yvonne G

Well, I don’t know how to tag someone I guess! But, I tried

 

[Tomhayter]

Thank you.
Yeah that’s the only place there is red. There is no red on the plastron.
It would make sense that is a bruise as the wooden divide could have given him a knock there when he climbed under it?
He is a very active and hungry tortoise, if it was sepsis he would be withdrawn and lathargic?

 

[Cheryl Hills]

I have emailed Yvonne and asked her to look at it. She knows a lot more then I do.

 

[Tomhayter]

Thank you

 

[Yvonne G]

@Cheryl Hills - you have to put " @ " in front of the username.

It looks like a bruise to me too. The tortoise looks like he doesn't get any real sun, and maybe the shell is a bit weak or soft???

 

[Tomhayter]

So the bruise will heal naturally??

It has been a bit too cold over the past few months to put him outside as temperatures in England aren’t great from September through to April time. It’s also very wet outside!
He has a UVB lamp on every day to replicate the sun.
Would you suggest taking him out in the sun for a little bit about even if it’s cold just to get some natural light? Or anything else?

 

[Cheryl Hills]

@Cheryl Hills - you have to put " @ " in front of the username.

It looks like a bruise to me too. The tortoise looks like he doesn't get any real sun, and maybe the shell is a bit weak or soft???

Thanks!