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For some time now, Rúaidhrí's shell has had white areas on it. For the longest time, we assumed it was hard water spots as our water is full of minerals here and the areas are neither soft nor do they have an odour. That said, I'm now not so certain that it isn't dry shell rot. I am posting photos below.

He has both a heat lamp and a UVB lamp on his basking platform, which he uses regularly. The water temp is 79-80 F and we do weekly 40-60% water changes in a 125 gal tank with 3 Eheim 2217 filters.

I wanted to get an opinion before starting treatment, most likely with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this.

It’s definitely fungus. Before starting treatment, you need to make sure that you will be able to prevent it from reoccurring. A repeat infection will not be as easily treatable. You’ll also need to have a dry dock area for when you have the cream on.

Thanks Steve.

Fortunately, we have a collapsible pet pool that he can roam in while dry docked. I’m not certain why he picked it up. He was housed with another of our turtles and she is fine. I know he was warm, dry and had good waters.

I couldn't tell you where it comes from either, but this fungus gets around. The pet pool sounds like a good idea, let me know how the treatment goes!

Finally received the chlorhexidine and the silver sulfadiazine. Scrubbed him with Chlor & a toothbrush, waited 10 minutes, did it again and then after 10 more minutes put a thin layer of the silver cream on him. After about 35 minute, I put him back in the tank. He was not a happy camper! I'll do this for a week-10 days and see what the results are.

Did you wipe off the excess cream before putting him back into the tank?

I actually just used a thin layer and allowed him to dry dock for another 30-45 minutes. There wasn't any excess to wipe.

This is the cream:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0796 ... UTF8&psc=1

and this is the wash that I used with a toothbrush:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H ... UTF8&psc=1

I'm not sure about that cream (I tried Colloidal Silver before with no effect), but I'm hoping for some positive results!

After a week or so of daily treatments, it looks like we may be seeing some improvement. Taking a little time though.

Thanks for the update. Does look better, will look great once it's all gone. Even a spec leftover will eventually get all over the shell.

Thanks Steve.

We're running a bit low on the cream we've been using and it's a bit hard to obtain. I'm considering switching to Neosporin. Do you (or anyone else) have any experience with it?

I've used it on small cuts/injuries on turtles, so it is safe to use on them. However, Neosporin is an antibiotic, so it won't do anything to the fungus.

The chlorhexidine should take care of the fungus, won't it?
If not, what is your recommendation?

Thanks!

Chlorhexidine is more of a disinfectant... great for cleaning and preventative care. Silver sulfadiazine has always been the best and safest at treating an active infection. I know there are also examples of other antifungal treatments that have worked too, though I have not tracked or kept up with them.

We are slowly getting there! I figure another week or two and he should be good to go.