shell problem
Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:59 pmHow big is your turtle? 10 inches
How long have you had it? 18 years
What is the water temperature? 23 C
Did you use a thermometer? yes
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? apx 110 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? yes (dechlorinator)
Are you using any filtration? yes - large homemade canister with a powerhead
What is the basking temperature? 30 C
Is there a basking light? yes, with UVA
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? a wooden shelf attached to the wall, lined with large flat rocks that she actually rests on
Is there a UVB light? yes
What have you been trying to feed it? she eats Reptomin sticks, cuttle bone and veggies; crickets and fruit as occasional snacks
When was the last time your turtle ate? today
How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? a stock tank that holds apx 125 gallons
Is the tank near a window? in a room with a window but not close
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? no
Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes
Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? see below
As you can see I"ve had my turtle Goober for quite a long time - since she was about an inch across. She has never had much of an issue with her shell before aside from retained scoots from time to time or hard water deposits that usually come off with a gentle wash. But lately she's been shedding more scoots and they haven't been coming off entirely (in pieces instead). Then I went away with work for a month and while I was gone her filter broke. My husband was caring for her and didn't realize this so as a result her water was dirty for about 8 days
Now her shell looks bad. It has a lot of discoloration - whitish patches and a dull grey type area on the front. It isn't soft and there's no signs of redness anywhere. Her skin looks fine and her eyes are wide and bright. Her behavior hasn't changed, but I am still very concnerned.
I repaired the filter and changed all the water immediately but it has been about a week and she doesn't seem to be improving. I'll try to get a photo of her when she's dry but for now here's one I just took. Any help would be very much appreciated!
How long have you had it? 18 years
What is the water temperature? 23 C
Did you use a thermometer? yes
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? apx 110 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? yes (dechlorinator)
Are you using any filtration? yes - large homemade canister with a powerhead
What is the basking temperature? 30 C
Is there a basking light? yes, with UVA
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? a wooden shelf attached to the wall, lined with large flat rocks that she actually rests on
Is there a UVB light? yes
What have you been trying to feed it? she eats Reptomin sticks, cuttle bone and veggies; crickets and fruit as occasional snacks
When was the last time your turtle ate? today
How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? a stock tank that holds apx 125 gallons
Is the tank near a window? in a room with a window but not close
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? no
Have you read the Basic Care section? yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? yes
Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? see below
As you can see I"ve had my turtle Goober for quite a long time - since she was about an inch across. She has never had much of an issue with her shell before aside from retained scoots from time to time or hard water deposits that usually come off with a gentle wash. But lately she's been shedding more scoots and they haven't been coming off entirely (in pieces instead). Then I went away with work for a month and while I was gone her filter broke. My husband was caring for her and didn't realize this so as a result her water was dirty for about 8 days
Now her shell looks bad. It has a lot of discoloration - whitish patches and a dull grey type area on the front. It isn't soft and there's no signs of redness anywhere. Her skin looks fine and her eyes are wide and bright. Her behavior hasn't changed, but I am still very concnerned.I repaired the filter and changed all the water immediately but it has been about a week and she doesn't seem to be improving. I'll try to get a photo of her when she's dry but for now here's one I just took. Any help would be very much appreciated!