litefoot wrote:Take your turtle out the water and dry him off ( pat dry do not rub dry) with a towel softly then let him dry some more , then take a photo once totally dry. This will tell us a lot more whats going on with the keratin layer "not when wet please. The shinny look in water may be air trapped under the keratin layer if starting a shed , that's normal if so. Dry will show us the scutes that may be loosen if it's starting a shed. If you see any scutes that look like there are coming off by the edges when drying "do not" try and remove ! You can cause damage to the shell and or bleeding , they will fall off on there own in time. Some healthy turtles are fast within a week will come off and other takes months to do a shed. Also did you see questions about the water in your other post. If something other than shedding those answers can help us along with photos of setup for an more helpful answer . A picture from top and a side view of tank will help a lot , water conditions are directly tied to a turtles shell health. Once you got the pictures " when totally dry" he can go back in his home .
litefoot wrote::wink:
litefoot wrote:Agree hasn't had a good shed in some time. Retained scutes which has trapped dirty water silt under them for some time. This created the microscopic growth under them to spread into fungus you see now. Depending on what part of the world you live in can you get some silver sulfadiazine cream ? May have to see a vet ? It's the best thing for fungus and turtles . OTC type of anything just takes too long allowing the fungus to get worst then … Type in search box above silver sulfadiazine for use and or fungus. Details this site recommends are there or follow vets method. Use this time since he's under your control to create the best habitat to help him. Also search here for a better diet will help. Water conditions are very important , even clear water can be harmful and even toxic. This starts out at the microscopic level so the water parameters are very important. Lishan this is going to take some time , no over night fix here. Be patient observe well correct the setup and diet , use the cream as directed. It will clear up the fungus. Then over a few good sheds (years) the shell "may" correct itself . He wants to shed but the thick retained scutes to get rid of are making it harder for him to shed. That's were a better habitat will help. Lots of reading for you to do and we will be here to help you understand with any questions. A turtle his size should be on 50-70% veggies every day with a well varied , good mixed and nutritious protein every other day. Turtles at every stage of it life has / requires a different diet. Since in your hands now he has a much better chance at a good happy and healthy life ahead , keep observing.
litefoot wrote:I can not hold your turtle in my hands as you can not even the other forum only look at a picture. A vet can / also run test if he/she feels a need to. As I stated he wants to shed yes but with the retained scutes and the shinny area you see under water only tells me trapped air and old water under the keratin layer. I do see in my opinion some fungus yes early stage but still there. You can wait like some to see if he does shed the retained scutes or not which may help remove what I see . May and if ! Turtle in the wild do shed when a shell problem , not just to grow. This guy is a living captive animal under your care and had a hard life before you got him. The retained scutes , poor diet and what you said his habitat was . Most have to wait for a fungus to get worst before they realize its even a fungus starting. The time lost will make life harder for him and he may even retain those sctues even longer? Infection/fungus under will keep going , that will spread into it's bone causing shell rot and some infections go into the blood. If gets to that point most cases are fatal. I gave my opinion using my 55 years in this hobby it's the best I can do . You are welcome to use a post from another forum about a different turtle if it's what you wanted to read or hear. That's your call , good luck for the both of you. To me it's all about the turtle offering it the best care and environment so it has a long happy , healthy life which for a RES can be 50 years if offered that. My Piggley is even in my "will" since he will out live me. I had losses when Hurricane Katrina took my six turtles all over 35 years old two in there 40's "from babies" that's a bad feeling with that kind of death and that feeling never goes away . Why I care so much. Sorry I did not tell you what you wanted to hear maybe try a third forum too your call.
steve wrote:Too early for me to tell, but could be a bit of bacteria. Some rough shedding might make the shell abrasive, and that might be what we are seeing. Keep working on the shedding and post back if there are any changes. Fungus/bacteria like to multiply, so you would notice it when it happens.
steve wrote:Ideally, it's larger pieces but the fact that there's shedding is good news.
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