Urgent Care :: Soft shell

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Post Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 3:28 pm   Soft shell

How big is your turtle? 1 1/2 inch
How long have you had it? 13 mths

What is the water temperature? Not sure but do have a working water heater
Did you use a thermometer? N/a
Are you using a water heater? Yes
How much water is in there? Four gallons
Are you using a water conditioner? Yes
Are you using any filtration? Yes

What is the basking temperature? Idk
Is there a basking light? Yes
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? They have some rocks they climb on.
What kind is it or what is it made out of?
Is there a UVB light? No but the tank is in a window

What have you been trying to feed it? He has blood worms and shrimp. He is eating fine.
When was the last time your turtle ate? This morning Nov. 5th

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? 10 gallons
Is the tank near a window? Yes
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? No

Have you read the Basic Care section? Yes
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? Yes

Is there any other unusual activity? No. He is eating and swimming fine.
Aejones79
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Nov 5, 2017
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 5:34 pm   Re: Soft shell

You Must have a UVB bulb along with using the heat bulb. Both are needed ! You must have a way to read the temps ! Babies need water at 80* and the basking area at 90* !
A baby's shell is pliable when hatched but will harden in a few months. You turtle is 13 month's with the signs of "metabolic bone disease" next will be shell rot then ...

Having a tank by a window is no good for sunlight ! Needed UVB rays do not penetrate glass! There the UVB bulb is needed ! Must correct now for the turtle.

Please go over all informational sticky's in each topic. Also at top header of this page are links to needed reading's.
litefoot
 
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Location: New Orleans
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Post Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 5:10 am   Re: Soft shell

You really need to start monitoring the temperatures as well. A thermometer for your water and the basking area each. It really doesn't cost a lot :) About the lights, some people make the mistake to put their UVB light above the water. You need to put them both above the basking area. Just a tip in case, and in advance. :)

EDIT: It's also possible your turtle already has shell rot. Does it smell bad ? Is the texture rough ? Could you post a picture of the tank and your turtle as well ?
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PokePony
 
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Post Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 9:25 pm   Re: Soft shell

Alrightie. I took Hei Hei to the vet they gave me some calcium and will see us in two weeks. I did get the UVB light set up and temperature gages in the water and the basking area. The vet suggested I add more live bait to his diet and also veggies, plants etc. He still is eating very well and swimming. So hoping all goes well, will send an update in two weeks.
Aejones79
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Nov 5, 2017
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 10:12 pm   Re: Soft shell

That sounds like a plan, good.
Make sure you have heat bulb at proper distance and make sure the UVB bulb also at proper distance. Read on the box for there instructions on placement.
Very important especially on the UVB.
UVB rays become metabolized into vitamin D3 which is necessary to process calcium !
Hei Hei should with a better home now and a well balanced , varied and nutritious diet will turn around and be ok.
I would keep the water temp at 80* and the basking area at 90*. Both heat bulb and the UVB both need to be over the basking area. The heat bulb entices the turtle to bask and the UVB rays are absorbed by the turtle.
Keep us posted.
litefoot
 
Posts: 1647
Joined: Nov 7, 2016
Location: New Orleans
Gender: Male


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