Urgent Care :: What is this and How do I cure it?

[BeardlessBrady]

I've had my two turtles for over a year now, They've had this for sometime, at first I thought it was shell rot, then bacteria. I dry docked them for 3 weeks well add betadine and anti bacterial cream. After that it seemed to for the most part have gone away. Now its back and Im unsure as to what it is and the best way to cure it. They don't act any differently and they eat well.

My turtles are about as big as my hand
I've had them for a year

water roughly 78 Degrees
I have a heater set to this number, no thermometer
The tank is 70 gallons and its about half full, so it has roughly 40 gallons
I do not use a water conditioner, not sure what this is.
I have two whisper i20 water filters

Not sure of the basking temperature
I have a 100w basking light
They can climb on the dock easy, its big enough for both of them and I see them on it all the time
its made out of Plastic
I have a UVB Light on the other side, lighting the tank

I successfully feed them pellets, lettuce, berries, and from time to time dryed shrimp
They eat once every night

About 70 Gallons
A window is above it
The tank is in my room. Beside my desk where I am a lot of the time

I have read the basic care section
I have searched and so far nothing worked permanently

From what I can see there are no other unusual symptoms

Bottom of Turtle Shell

[ljapa]

I'll let others chime in, but if you are talking about the elevated parts of the shell, it looks like pyramiding. It can be caused by a diet too high on protein or over-feeding. So, one question is what do they eat, and how often?

But, based on your description, there may be another factor at work. You mention a UVB source at one basking area and a heat lamp at another. Turtles need UVB to process dietary calcium into bone. They do this by synthesizing vitamin D3 as a result of UVB and heat on their skin and possibly shell. To synthesize D3 they need both UVB and heat.

I would suggest adding a heat lamp to your UVB basking area. I'd leave the other as just heat for now because RES don't seem to like change much. But, by adding a heat source to the UVB side, you should increase the D3 production, which can be a cause of pyramiding.

Be warned, though, from what I understand, it takes a long time to improve--whether from basking issues or diet.

[BeardlessBrady]

Diet wise when I am gone my mom takes care of them, and she tends to feed them snacks during the day and food at night. I'll tell her about this and she'll probably stop.

I was referring to the white patches on the top and bottom of the shell, not sure what it is, I thought it was bacteria or shell rot.

[ljapa]

Again, I'll let the experts add their thoughts, but the white on top almost looks like the beginnings of shedding.

The pictures on the bottom aren't as clear but may be that as well.

[BeardlessBrady]

Seriously, if the white is just shedding Ill be really happy, but also irritated as I would of been worrying for nothing.

[Kansasslider]

I would also have to let others chime in but at least on the top of the shell is it pitted. Can you feal a hole with your fingernail? Mine is doing the same thing from what I see from your picture. I thought it was shedding also.

[steve]

I agree with the assessments. I would want a clearer pic to rule out fungus however.

Allocate all the food/treats in a pillbox for your turtle. Hide the rest and do not let people overfeed him.

[BeardlessBrady]

Am I supposed to feed them as much as their head everyday? I usually feed them like 5 pellets a night.

[steve]

Any chance people are sneaking in extra food/treats?

[BeardlessBrady]

Whenever I'm gone my mom will take care of them. She'll feed them a lot during the night, then give snacks like lettuce, berries, ect during the day. I tell her not too all the time, now shes actually going to stop because she knows its the cause of the pyramiding

[Kansasslider]

Hey Steve I just had a great idea. Could you put together something that shows a picture of a normal shell vs a shell rot or fungus or pyramiding side by side? That would be very helpful. Maybe you could put it on the home page.

[steve]

That's a good idea. The site and forum needs to be cleaned up and reorganized a bit. It's a huge job, I guess that's why I've been putting it off.

[BeardlessBrady]

That would be helpful