Urgent Care :: Tiny turtle with soft shell

[Swaypippin]

So, it has been a very long time since I've been on the forum.

I just took two baby RES from a cousin I told not to get them. One of the babies has an incredibly soft shell. They had a water heater but wouldn't get in the water. Idk when the last time they ate was or wat temp the water was. At any rate I believe one of them has MBD. What can I do to help? I can't really afford a hero get right now. So I'm taking them to my house and I was thinking of dry docking them all the time except feeding time. I have never had this issue before and I've had turtles for about 17 years. I'm left with one yellow Belly of my own and now 2 RES babies.

I have nothing for them. I just got two light bulbs from the previous owner with no base. I am going to offer cuddle bone when I feed. The shell on the one is really bad (can't see it in a photo) it isn't discolored at all as far as I can tell. But they're still wet.

Any help is appreciated.

[Jeremiah]

If nothing else, get a UVB producing bulb as well as pellets with a D3 supplement. Unless there's evidence of rot or other infection, I don't think you need to dry-dock if you have a good filter and leave them in a quiet room. I agree about the MBD, and from what I've heard it's a pain to deal with, and that's assuming it's not already irreversible.

You should either get an MVB or combine a fluorescent tube (i.e., Zoo Med 10.0) with a regular incandescent bulb. Avoid using compact fluorescent UV bulbs, and follow the package instructions for the right bulb distances. Especially for the first few days as the bulb "burns in".

Thanks for taking them in, and best of luck to you and the turtles! Keep us updated.

[Swaypippin]

I can't figure out how to post a photo from my cell but I took a picture. I got a zoomed 75w repti basking spot light. But I think it is UVA I also have a fluker daylight bulb which is incandescent and full spectrum. Which is better in this case?

The one that is worse does have quite a lot of white on the shell now that it's try. The other one only has a tiny amount. I did find a cuddle bone I had for my adult Ybs so I will give it to them as soon as I feed them.

[Jeremiah]

You're right. The Zoo Med light is only UVA and heat, and the same goes for your Fluker bulb. You only need one of them, in this situation. Can you exchange the Zoo Med bulb and use that money to help buy a UVB-producing tube?

The whiteness on the shell may be harmless hard water stains, or (and let's hope not) shell fungus/rot.

To post a picture from your cell phone, you will need to attach the image on a text message and send it to your e-mail. From there, save the picture as an image somewhere on your computer (i.e., the desktop), then make an account on Photobucket. Once you activate the account, you can go to the "Upload" area of the website and click/drag your image onto the site. Next, go to your album and click the image you uploaded. Copy the URL that says "IMG" in front of it (it will be in a yellow bar), and then paste that link on your forum post before submitting it. The picture should then appear.

[steve]

Are they eating? Slightly pliable shells is normal for hatchlings, but only just slightly.

[Swaypippin]

I got the one with the mushy shell to eat lastnight. I offered cuddlebbone pieces but I don't think it ate any. I think any it got it spit out. I have only had one tiny turtle (this was 16 years ago) and from what I remember his shell wasn't nearly as mushy as this one.

For now I have the UVA bulb and have kept them out of the water except for feeding. It seems the one shell is getting more firm. It didn't feel like a rotted grape when I pick it up when dry. I will take a trip to the pet store and see what I can find.
Thanks for all the help! Now I remember why I used to spend so Much time on these forums.

[steve]

Good luck and please keep us updated. Try soaking the cuttle bone in some tuna fish water. Could be, he just doesn't like it.

[Swaypippin]

I'm sad to say it appears little dude is dead. I disn't think it would be so hard to tell but it kinda is. His eyes are sunken in (closed) and limbs are kinda poking out from his body.

[steve]

I'm very sorry to hear it