Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:13 pm
cage69, if sometimes you don't get a response on here immediately, it's because responders aren't on. We may be at work or out for example. Please be assured that as soon as someone who may have some advice is aware of your question, we'll post a response.
On both of the shell issues, the most important advice is that all the things that make for a healthy turtle habitat (food, clean water, good UVB, lots of basking) are essential to creating and maintaining a healthy shell. It isn't glamorous - it's slow - but in the end if you stick with the program you'll have turtles with gorgeous shells.
The importance of basking under good UVB can't be overestimated in my opinion. My turtle made his most dramatic improvement when he started basking outside in the sun during the summer. He still does that, and during the winter he's inside under the best UVB bulb I could find ( T Rex active heat 100 watt flood light MVB). His shell continues to look good.
For treating an active shell infection, I copied below some very specific good advice from Austin's Turtle Page, a well respected site. The only thing I'd add to this and the advice about overall good habitat is that it really helps to supplement the diet with occasional foods containing vitamin e (steamed sweet potato, blueberries, apple peal, tomato and turnip greens) and always keep a cuttlebone in the tank for calcium.
If there's any sign that a shell infection has gone deep - any significant indentations in the shell or bleeding or oozing - then you really need to see a vet.
In the states, silver sulfadiazine is available from a vet by prescription. It's certainly worth asking around for some as it's very effective.
Here's the quote from Austin's Turtle Page:
"Listed below is a regimen that I have followed in treating shell problems and has yielded great results. Keep in mind that shell injuries will take months and sometimes years to get back to looking normal if the possibility exists. It takes weeks before the shell will look like it's getting better. While treating, you are not looking for signs of healing or repair - you are looking to ensure that it is not spreading.
Clean infected areas thoroughly with a strong, undiluted betadine, iodine or Nolvasan solution. Let the turtle air dry in a warm setting for about 45 minutes.
Apply a generous coating of Silvadene cream. Work into problem areas.
Leave the turtle dry and warm, ensuring that you do not over-heat, for 18-21 hours each day.
The next day, scrub entire shell with a one of the previously mentioned solutions, using a soft-bristled toothbrush
Place them into fresh, clean water. Let them swim, drink and eat for approximately 1 - 1 ½ hours.
Repeat procedure from Step 1.
This treatment performed daily or twice daily, depending on your time allocation, has been successful in as few as 8-10 days but in more extreme cases can take a few weeks. It is difficult to tell success right away, so it is often discouraging. It is, however, quite effective and you will begin to see small improvement (in most cases) in only a few weeks."
For dry docking Spot, I got a 50 gallon rubbermaid tub from Lowe's for around $17. It has some air holes already in it and a good lid. I put towels on the bottom and left the lid on all the time so he'd sleep. I still use it from time to time for dry docking.
SpotsMama