Urgent Care :: Something's up with my baby's shell

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Post Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 11:27 pm   Something's up with my baby's shell

Pockets/Nims has something super weird/scary going on with his shell right now.
Throughout the whole top shell he has missing scutes(?), parts that are flappy and can be moved with my fingers. Under these it looks like new shell, but I am unsure.
The main parts I am worried about are the right side of the shell and the back.

How big is your turtle? 2 1/2 inches in Width; 1.8 inches in Length
How long have you had it? No longer than a month

What is the water temperature? 82.3
Did you use a thermometer? Yes
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? 52 gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes
Are you using any filtration? Yes

What is the basking temperature? 95
Is there a basking light? Yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? Yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? Standard turtle dock from Petstore
Is there a UVB light? Yes

What have you been trying to feed it? REpto min pellets, lettuce, tomato, cucumber
When was the last time your turtle ate? just a few minutes ago

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 55 gallon tank
Is the tank near a window? perpendicular to one
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? my bedroom

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? N/A

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3 turtles- Nemo, Pockets, Nims
Two dogs - Nibbles, Ruby.
Three cats - Eli, Boots, George.
Two donkeys - EllieMay, Dorothy.
I miss you, Kinsey-Lyn..
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Gender: Female

Post Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 8:17 am   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

Dial back the water temperature a bit.

There does look like there is some shedding going on, can you post pictures of the shell dry?
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steve
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Post Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 12:18 pm   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

steve wrote:Dial back the water temperature a bit.

There does look like there is some shedding going on, can you post pictures of the shell dry?

I'll get some pictures today.
What should I do to help him shed? Or is it okay to just let it run its course?
3 turtles- Nemo, Pockets, Nims
Two dogs - Nibbles, Ruby.
Three cats - Eli, Boots, George.
Two donkeys - EllieMay, Dorothy.
I miss you, Kinsey-Lyn..
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BabyNemo
 
Posts: 261
Joined: May 15, 2014
Location: Georgia
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 11:36 am   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

Plenty of UVB and basking. Some think changes in the diet help... adding some blueberry and wheat-germ.
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steve
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Post Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 8:20 am   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

steve wrote:Plenty of UVB and basking. Some think changes in the diet help... adding some blueberry and wheat-germ.

I'll see what I can do blueberry and wheat-germ wise. I'll have to find some.
As long as he's just shedding it makes me afeel a little better to know it's not rot or something worse.
3 turtles- Nemo, Pockets, Nims
Two dogs - Nibbles, Ruby.
Three cats - Eli, Boots, George.
Two donkeys - EllieMay, Dorothy.
I miss you, Kinsey-Lyn..
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BabyNemo
 
Posts: 261
Joined: May 15, 2014
Location: Georgia
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 7:18 am   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

If it's taking a long time to shed, you need to examine the area as much as possible and make sure it's normal.
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steve
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Post Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 11:01 am   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

He's starting to really really shed now, but his scutes are coming off in flakes. Is that normal?
3 turtles- Nemo, Pockets, Nims
Two dogs - Nibbles, Ruby.
Three cats - Eli, Boots, George.
Two donkeys - EllieMay, Dorothy.
I miss you, Kinsey-Lyn..
User avatar
BabyNemo
 
Posts: 261
Joined: May 15, 2014
Location: Georgia
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:33 am   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

Flakes as in the shape of a whole scute? That would be normal.
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steve
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Post Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 6:13 pm   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

steve wrote:Flakes as in the shape of a whole scute? That would be normal.

As in very small pieces, not whole scutes.
3 turtles- Nemo, Pockets, Nims
Two dogs - Nibbles, Ruby.
Three cats - Eli, Boots, George.
Two donkeys - EllieMay, Dorothy.
I miss you, Kinsey-Lyn..
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BabyNemo
 
Posts: 261
Joined: May 15, 2014
Location: Georgia
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 2:07 pm   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

It's not normal but it's not bad either. As long as he is shedding...
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steve
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Post Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:13 pm   Re: Something's up with my baby's shell

steve wrote:It's not normal but it's not bad either. As long as he is shedding...

Okay, I will keep an eye on him.
3 turtles- Nemo, Pockets, Nims
Two dogs - Nibbles, Ruby.
Three cats - Eli, Boots, George.
Two donkeys - EllieMay, Dorothy.
I miss you, Kinsey-Lyn..
User avatar
BabyNemo
 
Posts: 261
Joined: May 15, 2014
Location: Georgia
Gender: Female


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