This is Turbo, my 3 year old Antakyan greek, and we are just distraught over the sores on his back legs! Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I *think* they are caused by the older skin not shedding properly, and instead it is thickening or layering, then coming off in too-thick of a chunk after soaking. It's looking worse since I soaked him yesterday and the skin softened even more. Could it be that we're not soaking him enough? He gets a 15-20 minute bath once to 3 times a week, with a walk-in water bowl available to him 24/7.
Since the crevice-like sore appeared on his left leg a few days ago I feel like the leg has become mildly swollen, and now the edge of the carapace might be rubbing on it a bit. His right back leg looks like the left one did last month, so I'm afraid his right leg will also have the same fate.
When I noticed the skin was looking extra dry and wasn't shedding consistently (the thickening affect I mentioned) about two or three months ago, I've been using Turtle Vitashell on the skin to help keep it from drying out. I hope that hasn't contributed to the problem!
Do y'all think I should get him in for a vet check, or is there a product I could purchase to help combat these sores? His activities have not changed in the least since this issue has developed, and he doesn't appear to be in pain or have sensitivity when I apply the moisturizer.
We follow the recommended diet for Greeks w/ calcium supplement, and for UVB/UVA we use zoo-med Powersun. Our other Greek, Tank (who we now know is a Turkish Greek thanks to Danny!) seems healthy as an ox and doesn't have any skin issues whatsoever. For substrate we use a mixture of play sand, soil, and reptile wood chips.
Thank you very much for reading.
I *think* they are caused by the older skin not shedding properly, and instead it is thickening or layering, then coming off in too-thick of a chunk after soaking. It's looking worse since I soaked him yesterday and the skin softened even more. Could it be that we're not soaking him enough? He gets a 15-20 minute bath once to 3 times a week, with a walk-in water bowl available to him 24/7.
Since the crevice-like sore appeared on his left leg a few days ago I feel like the leg has become mildly swollen, and now the edge of the carapace might be rubbing on it a bit. His right back leg looks like the left one did last month, so I'm afraid his right leg will also have the same fate.
When I noticed the skin was looking extra dry and wasn't shedding consistently (the thickening affect I mentioned) about two or three months ago, I've been using Turtle Vitashell on the skin to help keep it from drying out. I hope that hasn't contributed to the problem!
Do y'all think I should get him in for a vet check, or is there a product I could purchase to help combat these sores? His activities have not changed in the least since this issue has developed, and he doesn't appear to be in pain or have sensitivity when I apply the moisturizer.
We follow the recommended diet for Greeks w/ calcium supplement, and for UVB/UVA we use zoo-med Powersun. Our other Greek, Tank (who we now know is a Turkish Greek thanks to Danny!) seems healthy as an ox and doesn't have any skin issues whatsoever. For substrate we use a mixture of play sand, soil, and reptile wood chips.
Thank you very much for reading.
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