Tortoise shell rot and how to treat it discussion threada

[sid the turtle]

Hi Everyone!

I was soaking Sid last night and notice that the bottom of his shell was peeling, so I took a soft bristled toothbrush and gently scrubed it off....now its white with some black spots. I'm guessing this isnt normal, maybe some kind of fungus. Tell me what you think.

 

[Crazy1]

RE: Shell Peeling

I'm no expert and I don't know redfoots but I would say No that is not normal and that it may be fungus or shell rot (which is a fungus). I'd check with some of the RF owners and maybe even pm them.

 

[Itort]

RE: Shell Peeling

Apply betadine to the affected area daily, this will arrest the shell rot. There will not be a immediate change in apperence but it will begin to heal. what is your substat and what is the moisture level ? It should be mpist not damp. Think of what a forest floor is like, this is what you are trying to recreate not a swamp.

 

[sid the turtle]

RE: Shell Peeling

Sids substrate is crushed coconut shells, and is moist but not soaking wet. Usually it is dry. Humidity is at about 60 and normally doesnt get any higher or lower, temp is at 80.

What is Betadine and where can I buy it? Is it the same as like Tinactin?

 

[Itort]

RE: Shell Peeling

Several rf keepers have had problems similar to this with coconut substrat. I know it sonds strange but this substrat seems to hold water more than other substrats. I would suggest cypress or hardwood mulch as a substrat. Whatever you do I would suggest the betadine treatment. I have used this treatment for years on shell rot cases and it does work.

 

[Redfoot NERD]

RE: Shell Peeling

From our "info only" Redfoot ONLY 'site..

http://redfoots.com/smf/index.php?topic=549.msg2307#msg2307

This thread has a video of 'How to treat'.. by our own Chucky!

http://redfoots.com/smf/index.php?topic=544.msg2280#msg2280

This may need to be "stickied" [ don't laugh too hard everybody.. I guess that is what it's called.. remember I'm just the old guy that only knows redfoot tortoises.. at best! ]

Hope this helps...

 

[sid the turtle]

RE: Shell Peeling

Where can I buy Betadine?? Do I have to get it from a vet?

 

[tortania]

RE: Shell Peeling

You can buy Betadine over the counter at any pharmacy

 

[Yvonne G]

RE: Shell Peeling

Where can I buy Betadine?? Do I have to get it from a vet?

A note of caution on Betadine. You should only use it one or two times to kill the fungus. After that, the Betadine also inhibits new tissue growth. To keep the site clean after the first couple Betadine treatments, use Chlorhexidine (Brand name - Nolvesan). This is a product that the surgeons use to wash with. It can also be bought over the counter at the drug store.

Yvonne

 

[Crazy1]

RE: Shell Peeling

Josh, I agree this might be best stickied to the RFs.

 

[sid the turtle]

RE: Shell Peeling

This post may not fit here, but here goes.........OMG!!!! It seems the more I chat with you guys, the less I know about Sid. Almost 100% of everything everyone has told me contradicts what Petco says or even the care sheet they gave me. (I was pretty confident when I bought this little guy, but now I'm not so confident, I cant even keep his shell healthy.)...........Sorry, having a 1 woman pity party here. I even bought a book (tortoise & turtles for dummies---the most useless thing I ever bought.) I was just looking over the care sheet (from Petco) and it states the the humidity should be between 70-90%, is that right?? The highest I could ever get Sids humidity was 65, and thats even when I change his substrate and its warm and wet. The only thing thats right is the temp, which is at 80 during the day and 65ish at night. Is that right?? Please tell me I'm doing something right. I'M SOOOOOO CONFUSED!!!!!

 

[Itort]

RE: Shell Peeling

Here is real good source www.turtletary.com. There is a wealth of good info here. Don't give up this little guy. You'll find by doing a few basic things that RFs are tougher then you'd think. I had a trio for over thirty years and have made many of the mistakes you'll see on these forums and learned from them. Most of the long time keepers have worked blind and have taught themselves on the care of these wonderful animals. Don't give up, we are here to try to help you and others and most importantly learn ourselves.

 

[Crazy1]

RE: Shell Peeling

sid the turtle, Itort gave you good advice. Don't give up. It seems everyday I learn something new. One thing I learned early is that care sheets from places like Petco and Petsmart are often WRONG! (RedFoot Nerd)Terrys site http://www.turtletary.com has great info on RFs and Years of experience. He is a great resourse and extreamly helpful.

 

[sid the turtle]

RE: Shell Peeling

Hi again!!

I treated Sid with the betadine and lotramin, and once again he pooed on me....lol. I took the coconut shell substrate out of his cage and put down a towel with newspaper over the top. Hes been trying to eat it. (not shredded). How long should I keep him on newspaper? I've been looking for different substrate for him, is repti-bark ok? He also has a heat mat on one side of his cage, is it ok to plug in with a towel & newspaper?

Robin & Sid

 

[Itort]

RE: Shell Peeling

I just looked up repti-bark. It is made from shredded fir ( a conifer) and as such it is not good for any reptile. Do you have any Walmarts, Lowes, Home Depots near you. With spring coming, they have mulchs for sale. I would suggest finding an organic cypress or hardwood mulch. Also I don't believe a heat mat is a good idea. The heat should come from above not below. Sorry to say I have seen reptiles burned by this type of set-up.

 

[sid the turtle]

RE: Shell Peeling

Another thing Petco told me .....stick the heat mat to the bottom of the cage...OMG..I swear they are morons. I'll just keep the mat unpluged and keep an eye on the temps, he has a UVB and a basking bulb. I will have to look and see if Walmart has any of there mulch out yet. How long can Sid stay on the newspaper (while being treated?)

 

[Itort]

RE: Shell Peeling

You can keep on the newspaper quite a while. Provide him with a hide with sphagrum moss in it ( the moss is slightly acid and because of this helps with the cure of fungus. The uvB isn't really needed but the basking light is good for heat. You may want to invest in a ceremic heat emitter for heat.

 

[sid the turtle]

RE: Shell Peeling

Hi again Guys!!

I've been treating Sid for the peeling shell, once with Betadine, and then the rest with the athletes foot cream. I've been keeping an eye on it and its turning black, see pic. Is this is how it is suppose to look? His shell is not soft when pressed gently. I stll have him on newspaper, until I can get some mulch. Walmart doesnt have any out yet....dont they know my tort needs it....lol.

He's eating and doing all of his business as usual.


--before
--after

 

[Itort]

RE: Shell Peeling

Looks like you got it under control. Good.

 

[Madkins007]

RE: Shell Peeling

As I understand it, a mostly black plastron usually means the tortoise comes from a territory south of the Amazon River- Brazil, Paraguay, or Bolivia. Tortoises from the northern part of South America usually have mostly pale plastrons, often with some dark pattern on the rear third.