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Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 1:36 pm
by Staplekey
Hi, my res has developed white-ish patches with a black dot in the middle over the red marks behind his eyes. My husband claims they have been there about 2 days. Galileo is about 7.5 years old, male, generally good health. Lives in a 50 - 60 gallon tank, with a 35 watt metal halide lamp. He basks regularly, eats regularly, sometimes fresh meats and fruits, sometimes dried turtle food. He has a fluval fx5 with an ultraviolet steriliser to keep his water clean. Photo attached[img][img][/img][/img]

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:50 pm
by steve
Not sure I see anything of concern. His is melanastic, so his coloring is going to get darker/duller. What kind of fresh meats are you using?

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 11:42 pm
by Staplekey
Hi, sorry, what does melanistic mean?? He sometimes gets a little bit of bacon or roast chicken when I make that. The marks I notice are the larger pale blotches with the black dot right in the centre. At first I was concerned he had ear abscesses, but they are less bumpy today...

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 2:52 am
by steve
Melanism is a development of the pigment melanin in the skin and shell. So his colors will be darker/grayer and more muted. Some of the stripes will fade, some will look like spots. I don't think bacon is good, some boiled white chicken meat is fine. How long have you had him?

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 4:37 am
by Staplekey
We've had him for over seven years.

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 7:09 am
by Staplekey
I've spoken to a vet, and shown him the same photograph. He thinks there may be an ear abscess. He has advised that we feed him just turtle pellets (the ones with added vitamin A) for a little while, and to make sure his habitat is well kept. Do you have any other advice as to what we should be doing differently, I'm happy to hear suggestions!

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:29 am
by litefoot
Looks normal with age. They just don't stay that cute lite green with all the marking as babies have. Some feel that why so many end up thrown in the wild not cute anymore. It's ugly... to them not me I say handsome.
I found over my years a Regular Vet (dog and cat) can only say lets give it a vitamin shot. Not knowing reptiles very well.
Do you have any Herpetologist Vet's in your area. They specialize in reptiles and amphibians ! They treat turtles all the time.
But my opinion is your friend is just getting older and losing those baby markings / color.

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:53 am
by Staplekey
The vet I referred too was a specialist in reptiles. Would have to travel 15 miles on public transport to take Galileo - and I'm 8 months pregnant!!! We'll keep an eye on him over the next few days. My only concern is that he could be in pain, and I don't want that for any animal. As long as my scaly, furry and unborn babies are safe and we'll, that's fine with me. Is it normal for them to lose the red stripes that they have on their heads then?? Can't seem to find much information about this on the net!!!

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:28 pm
by litefoot
Best for Galileo all will be good. Congratulations on being 8 months , children are great !

Re: Unusual marks / bumps

PostPosted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 12:38 pm
by steve
I don't see an abscess. Those are usually lighter in color since the skin is stretching a bit. I would look into a good staple pellet for him, like Omega One or Mazuri.