Worried: Orange Spot - Underside of shell

[charliek]

Hello there,

This is my first time posting, I'm from the U.K and the proud owner of 2 little Eastern Hermann Tortoises, less than a year old.

They've been doing great, eating well, sleeping appropriately, engaging in activities, being explorative and just being lively. I know they are still healthy and not showing any signs of illness in this sense. Eyes, nose, mouth, shell shape and toileting is all healthy too.
View attachment 369917
But, when bathing the little one I noticed a small orange imperfection that is slightly raised and looks like it could be sore but I am uncertain and wanted to seek advice from professionals and long-term Tortoise parents!

I'm really worried he's injured himself on a rock or burying, got shell rot or worse. The discolouration of the black I don't know if it's natural changes or signs of something more sinister. The site is right in the centre too so I'm extra worried.

I know it's not berries, fruit, or any coloured food as they don't eat those and I've bathed it several times. They are on a coco-coir mixed with a suitable coir soil substrate. 29-34 degrees celcius on average with regular misting but not in excess. Baths few times a week, they have calcium and cuttlefish, regular greens and the very occasional fruit, places to hide, climb, explore and dig etc.

Please play nice, I've never posted here before so if I've got anything wrong in the posting of this or somehow messed up their husbandry, go easy, I feel awful that this has happened and it's taking courage to put this out there!

Thanks so much for your help in advance. I can upload more or provide more answers if that helps.

I also would please like to ask your opinions on the bottom half of his shell, the fading in the corners don't look even, is this natural? I've googled it but I am not getting much luck finding about the natural progression of the underside shell growth and discolouration issues.

 

[charliek]

Always be cautious when doing a vet visit. Most vets have no clue about tortoises and usually does more damage than help.
Also be cautious comparing a snake or other reptile info with tortoises.

No, I wouldn't - they're completely different creatures. The vet is a specialist exotic vet with reptile expertise, not just a dog/cat/bunny person.

 

[charliek]

Whilst bathing them I double checked the healthy one, and either I'm being paranoid but this doesn't seem right? I am new to this so I may be fretting. Please let me know if you see anything untoward. The discolouration, the white lines and the brown marks all concern me. Thank you again.

 

[wellington]

No, I wouldn't - they're completely different creatures. The vet is a specialist exotic vet with reptile expertise, not just a dog/cat/bunny person.

Do they have tortoise experience? Reptile knowledge unfortunately does not usually include tortoises.
Be careful of any meds they want to give if they didn't do any type of testing first.
I found an old thread that had a sulcata with the same kind of orange ding as yours. Unfortunately, we never heard from the member what it was or what/how was treated

 

[wellington]

View attachment 369955

Whilst bathing them I double checked the healthy one, and either I'm being paranoid but this doesn't seem right? I am new to this so I may be fretting. Please let me know if you see anything untoward. The discolouration, the white lines and the brown marks all concern me. Thank you again.

Looks fine.

 

[zovick]

View attachment 369955

Whilst bathing them I double checked the healthy one, and either I'm being paranoid but this doesn't seem right? I am new to this so I may be fretting. Please let me know if you see anything untoward. The discolouration, the white lines and the brown marks all concern me. Thank you again.

This tortoise appears to be completely normal. I do not see anything of concern on this one's plastron.

 

[charliek]

Thank goodness. You're stars, you replied so quickly! Thank you.

There were a few tortoise "success stories" following surgeries at their practice on their website, but before visiting I'll call and enquire about specific expertise with little Eastern Hermann's. I do not want a standard vet just chucking an inappropriate, expensive cream on them if it's more serious etc!

Thanks again everyone. I've learned a lot.

 

[charliek]

Update! Took him to a Tortoise Table recommended local vet. She looked them over, their tongue was a bit pale, the shell a bit too soft, potential fungal or bacterial infection on his tummy due to an injury. So, 2 swabs have been sent off. Flushed shell slightly too.

Been given some Reptoboost to help him and his shell and some germicidal barrier cream. Both daily.

Further weeds are needed in their diet, need a heat/UV strip bulb and removing the dark, covered side of the hide as they aren't getting much warmth or UV in much of the enclosure due to a combination spot bulb. Separating them would be ideal.

I wanted to update you all and I'll post the lab results. I am glad I was motivated by you all to seek help, I wouldn't have identified many of these issues without your or the vet's help. Thank you everyone.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you for the update! I wish him to get well soon!

If you need any help with enclosures, diet or heating/lightning - just ask!

 

[charliek]

Thank you for the update! I wish him to get well soon!

If you need any help with enclosures, diet or heating/lightning - just ask!

Thank you so much.

I will, I am a little bewildered by the whole strip lamp UV/heating situation vs spot lamp, but I'll do some research and come back to you guys when I have any questions, I don't want to take advantage of your knowledge without doing my own due diligence as well.

Separating them seems to be a necessary plan too so we will be investing in a new system set up also, so it'll be a chance to revamp their situation, so I'll definitely be back! I want them to be as strong and healthy as possible, and to have a healthy start in life (and not to be bullied!).

I know all sorts of vets do play on the lack of knowledge of their customers sometimes - I didn't get that impression here, but by going equipped with the knowledge from you all really helped. I will do weekly updates if anything changes.

Thanks

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you so much.

I will, I am a little bewildered by the whole strip lamp UV/heating situation vs spot lamp, but I'll do some research and come back to you guys when I have any questions, I don't want to take advantage of your knowledge without doing my own due diligence as well.

Separating them seems to be a necessary plan too so we will be investing in a new system set up also, so it'll be a chance to revamp their situation, so I'll definitely be back! I want them to be as strong and healthy as possible, and to have a healthy start in life (and not to be bullied!).

I know all sorts of vets do play on the lack of knowledge of their customers sometimes - I didn't get that impression here, but by going equipped with the knowledge from you all really helped. I will do weekly updates if anything changes.

Thanks

You can look at lightning breakdown in this post: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/info-for-new-people-please-read-this-first.202363/ (closer to the end).

For the enclosures you can explore some "creative" options like repurposing bookshelves, raisen garden beds, hydroponic grow tents and such. It's often cheaper and better option. With some DIY skills they also look awesome

From your summary about the vet visit, it looks like you've found a rather good one. Consider this a big luck!