redearslider.com

My boyfriend and I have had two RES turtles for two years and one has grown much faster than the other. They were in the same tank until one day I saw the smaller one had chips on the back of his shell...I immediately researched what to do and have been dry docking him for a week with rehydration for 30 minutes twice a day. He has both a basking and UVB light over the dry dock for 12 hours a day and after rehydration, I apply betadine with an extra soft toothbrush to the chipped areas. However, I just noticed that his shell is maybe a bit softer than normal...it may just be me over-worrying about him though, and the areas around the chipped parts are getting darker. I am worried about him and don't know what to do. My boyfriend thinks that I can not take him to a vet because he is not "legal" size yet, but I am worried if I don't take him, I will not be able to provide the correct care to nurse him back to health. I have read up on it some more and other people are saying that you should only dry dock a younger turtle for a few hours a day. Does anyone have any experience with this or know what I can do? I have an appointment with a vet on Monday morning (today is Saturday).

Here are some photos...hope you guys can see!
file:///Users/Kate/Google%20Drive/Sami%20Photos/20160813_133039.jpg

file:///Users/Kate/Google%20Drive/Sami%20Photos/20160813_133034.jpg

file:///Users/Kate/Google%20Drive/Sami%20Photos/20160813_133049.jpg

file:///Users/Kate/Google%20Drive/Sami%20Photos/20160813_133024.jpg

Your pictures aren't showing up. Have you tried a site like Photobucket?

Here is a link that should work... http://s61.photobucket.com/user/katemay17/slideshow/

Yes he can be taken to the vet. Considering the severity of the infection (shell rot?) or injury, he will likely need antibiotics.

Thank you. I took him to the vet yesterday and he said I should keep applying neosporin, but should no longer dry dock him. He have him an antibiotic shot and said to return in two weeks if I don't see any progress.

Any idea how this happened? And try to feel better, we all feel really bad about dealing with a pet with health issues.

I'm not entirely sure, but I believe the bigger RES bit the smaller one. I don't know why, but that would be my only guess because nothing else I can think of would have resulted in the same wounds. He seems to be doing ok, although I haven't seen much change. Hoping he heals up quick! Thanks for the uplifting comment, it does make me feel a little better

Considering that it has not spread would make me think it was an attack as well