Urgent Care :: Extreme shell retention

[ael2595]

Hi guys! I'm new to the forum. I recently adopted a RES , she was kept in a tiny 15 gallon tank with no heater or heat lamp for 7 years! I was concerned about respiratory problems when I first brought her home but she has recovered extremely well, no wheezing sounds anymore and is extremely active . Ive had her for a few months now and shes grown since then, I'm sure her growth was stunted due to her past tank size though. She 7iches long now.

My concern right now is her shell. I can see all the layers of shell that should have shed off, its a bunch of ridges. I give her cuttle bones to eat for extra calcium and have her on a well balanced diet but I have not noticed any improvement or any of the layers coming off. Is there something else I can try? Here are some pictures, hopefully i attached the link correctly.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129891638@N02/

[steve]

Looks like some pyramiding from a poor diet. How closely gave you examined the shell? There does look like a few areas starting to shed. I'd add some wheat germ pellets (for koi) and see if that helps.

[cutepanda86]

I was able to copy the link and paste it.

I'm not quite sure what to do in this situation. Shedding does take a long time. Check out the link below:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=36684

What's her diet like? Steve is right. Wheat germ should help.

[ael2595]

Her diet is repromin plus ( 6 pellets or so every other day.) collard and turnip greens, I mix in kale every once in awhile as well. I also constantly have cuttlebones in there for her as well. I breed guppies for her so she gets a couple of those a month. I have a bearded dragon as well so she gets some extra goodies like shredded carrots and apples for treats. Hopefully I'm doing alright on the diet part, this is my first turtle. I've been trying to do as much research as I can so thanks for the help guys her previous owners just fed her the pellets for her first 7 years of life.

[cutepanda86]

Sounds like you have some great diet items going on. I would definitely try the Wheat Germ. I can't get Sheldon to eat kale - good for you.

She's just going to take a while to get better. I know it took Sheldon 6 months to get over his fungus and calcium deficiency from the pet store.

[ael2595]

Yeah, I figured that it was going to take time. I was just worried about her health. I guess its more of a visual problem then an extreme health issue at this point.
I'm honestly surprised she lived so long being in the conditions she was in. Ill try to get some wheat germ for her tomorrow!

Thanks so much for the help! Ill just keep spoiling her and hope that she slowly starts to heal a little bit.

[cutepanda86]

I totally understand your worry. Do you have a vet to go to? This is a great place but having a vet is also handy too. A checkup may help with a diagnosis. She's a tough old girl and she has a good new turtle momma.

Glad I could offer advice.

[ljapa]

What's the uvb source? Any chance the light is old and not providing much uvb?

[ael2595]

I actaully replaced the UVB bulb a couple weeks ago, so that wouldn't be the problem. I forget the brand of it, it's the same reptile one I use for my beardie though. Her previous owners didn't even have a light for her, I'm sure that did major damage for years.

[steve]

I'd move off Reptomin too. Not as well balanced as some of the other choices out there now (Omega One).

[Jeremiah]

Better yet, why don't you start a pellet "rotation"? There is no one perfect food, and varying the pellet schedule gives the turtle something to look forward to. Some brands emphasize certain nutrients over others, so what one pellet in your rotation lacks can be covered by another brand.

[devilduck]

If the scoots are loose and getting ready to shed I give it a helping hand by manually removing them with my fingernail. Then I give the shell a good brushing with a toothbrush and a couple of hours to dry off on a dry dock (rubber maid bin). I find that the layers can trap water and debris under them if they are too loose and cause fungus or infections with the underlying layer.