Urgent Care

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 5:53 pm **Should I take my little guys to the vet?**

Hi I'm new here, I was just wanting to know if these light pink spots on my 2 YBS plastron are normal. They are really little and I got them about a month ago. They where being kept in awful conditions (in a small turtle island with skim green water, no lights at all on in the room etc) I just want to make sure there's not something more serious going on here.

*How big is your turtle? They are about 2" each
*How long have you had it? Around a month or so.
*What is the water temperature? 79 degrees
*Did you use a thermometer? Yes, it's stuck on the out side of the glass on the aquarium.
*Are you using a water heater? No, I do water changes every other day with warm water, and the basking light plus the UVB bulb keep the water around 79 degrees all the time!
*How much water is in there? About 4 gallons give or take
*Are you using a water conditioner? Yes! I use top fine water conditioner.
*Are you using any filtration? Yes, (I have only about 4 gallons of water in there right now. It's enough for them to swim but still reach the top on their tippy toes if they need to.) its a Fluval u-series up to 15 gallons submersible.
*What is the basking temperature? It's around 90 degrees
*Is there a basking light? Yes, 75W
*Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes, it's a very tall rock but has easy access on both sides, I'm doing to fine a softer basking area tonight to see if that helps
What kind is it or what is it made out of?
*Is there a UVB light? Yes, 25"
*What have you been trying to feed it? They eat great! I feed 1 Hikari turtle stick with 4-5 Zoo Med hatchling formula pellets, or 1 HBH turtle bites pellet and 4-5 Zoo Med hatchling formula pellets
*When was the last time your turtle ate? This morning. They eat once a day.
*How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? It's a 30 gallon dome front for now. I'm saving money to upgrade them ASAP!
*Is the tank near a window? Its in a room with a window but its not close to it at all, it's on the other side.
*Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? Yes, I'm in and out of it all day.
*Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes. I have been researching YBS since I got these two. I've had RES but I'm new to these guys. Although they are alike, these guys do things I never remember my RES doing.
*Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes I found something similar but the turtle was bigger and older.
*Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? Nope, they eat normal, they bask most of the day and are in and out of the water. They sleep separate at night one by the filter and the other under the basking rock.

It's somewhat normal... it's either related to abrasive substrates/basking areas, growth or poor water quality. Is the shell smooth, without any pitting?

Yea. Their shells are really smooth I don't feel any pitted areas. I did go and get them a softer basking area just in case it's irritation from the basking rock.

How do the seams look on the top shell (carapace)? Are they dark and thick?

Wow, that was thorough.
I'm not an expert but it sounds like you've got a great setup.

YBS are so pretty.

One of them looks darker. The other not so much. Here's a pic of their top shells!

@apondfortimmy thanks so much! They are pretty cool little dudes!

If the pink spots start to extend to other areas of the plastron, if you see a pink tinge on the seams of the plastron, or the skin of the upper body, then time for a vet.
The picture doesn't look like there is pink in the seams of the plastron (only you can tell); just keep your eye on it and if you see what I mentioned above, then take action.

Ok thank you so much! I'll keep a close eye on it!

Thick seams are usually an indication of fast growth, I would keep an eye on their feeding.

I took my YBS into the vet for the very same thing you are concerned about. He stated as long as the pink tinge is symmetrical and the turtle is eating, basking and swimming normally there is nothing to be concerned about. Once one or more of those things change or they start losing weight then time to get it checked out.

Oh ok thank you! That is soo good to know! They eat and bask perfect, and it look like the pink spots are starting to lighten a bit. I feel like I feed them to little sometime but I can cut back if needed. I've heard to only feed them as much that can fit in their head? Does that sound right? But I def will keep a close eye on them and make sure the basking and eating doesn't change!

Thanks again so much!

For pellets, review this page: www.redearslider.com/pellets.html

It's offer guidelines and opinions about it.

Ok thank you! That was very helpful! I'm gonna Give them a little less then I have been with the pellets! I think they could be eating a bit much, it just seems like so little to me. But I want to keep them healthy! They eat Kale too in the mornings, I'm not sure if I'm over feeding them on that. They eat a leaf about the size of a penny, they tear it apart of corse.

Romain/green leaf/red leaf are better options than kale. You can just add them in for variety.

Urgent Care :: Should I take my little guys to the vet?

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