How do you treat a soft shell turtle?

If the condition is not too advanced it can be corrected by increasing the Calcium and Vitamin D in the turtles diet. This can be done by adding a supplement to their diet. The other cause of a soft shell is shell rot which is usually caused by an infection, most commonly a bacterial infection.

Why does my red eared slider have white spots on his shell?

Red Eared Sliders and other turtles can develop fuzzy gray and white patches that are fungal growths. One of the major causes of this is poor water quality and an improper basking area. Fungal infections can also develop if the water quality is poor. Make sure you have a really good filter!

How do you know if shell rot is healing?

The shell is healed when it is free of discharge and odor, and is “smooth” (irregular scars may remain for life).

Why does my turtle look fuzzy?

Skin and shell sloughing The skin of turtles periodically (and normally) sheds off in pieces. In the water, shed skin appears as a whitish, “fuzzy” substance coming off the skin that is sometimes mistaken for fungus or other disease.

What do you do if your turtle has shell rot?

I generally dry dock turtles with shell fractures or shell rot. For shell rot cases I put them in water four one hour a day to eat and toilet then dry dock them in a soft towel with a small, shallow water bowl for the remainder of the day. It is also important to get these turtles some UV light!

Does Turtle fix help shell rot?

Will API TURTLE FIX help shell rot or prevent any bacteria? API TURTLE FIX prevents bacteria growth in wounds, and will treat topical bacterial infections on the body and limbs of aquatic turtles. API TURTLEFIX directions indicate to use daily.

How do I know if my red eared slider is healthy?

Red-eared sliders should be full-bodied and when you pick them up they shouldn’t feel like an empty shell. On the other hand, they should not have rolls of skin and fat around their legs, either. Their shells should be intact and smooth. Look at the skin and shell more closely.

What does it mean when your turtle shell is peeling?

Scutes
Why Do Turtles Shed Their Scutes? Healthy shedding occurs as part of a water turtle’s normal growth, as the shell expands with the rest of its growing body. Other common reasons for shell problems include bacteria, parasites, algae, environmental issues, and poor nutrition.

Can shell rot heal itself?

Shell rot is a common problem that can be treated with the right tools and knowledge. Turtles tend to get sick slowly and there for heal slowly so remember to be patient when treating a case (or be patient with your vet who is treating your turtle) because it may take weeks to completely heal.

How do I know if my turtle has salmonella?

Be aware that Salmonella infection can be caused by contact with reptiles or amphibians in petting zoos, parks, child-care facilities, or other locations. Watch for symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headache.

What does turtle shell rot look like?

Symptoms of shell rot usually start as an almost unnoticeable discoloration on either the carapace (top of shell) or plastron (bottom) of a turtle’s shell. The color change can be white, yellowish, or green with a mold-like appearance. It can show up as spots or blotches and can appear anywhere on the shell.

Can shell rot be cured?

How do you treat shell rot?

Why is it illegal to have a red-eared slider?

Since 1975, however, selling baby turtles that are less than 4 inches long has been illegal in the U.S., because some reptiles—red-eared sliders included—can harbor salmonella on their skin.

Is it safe to keep a red-eared slider?

Although every turtle is different, when handled, red-eared sliders could withdraw into their shells or possibly even nip at your fingers if they feel threatened. This is why it’s not recommended that you frequently handle your red-eared sliders or remove them from their habitats.

Can turtles feel you pet their shell?

Yes, sea turtles can feel it when you touch their shell. Sea turtle shells consist of bones, which are covered by a layer of so-called scutes (plates). There are nerve endings enervating even the bones of the shell. These nerve endings are sensitive to pressure, for example from a touch on the back.

How do I treat shell rot?

Antibiotic cover is essentially in severe shell rot cases or if the shell has been fractured. Topical antibiotics such as silver sulfazadine cream applied daily can be enough for many cases. If they need systemic treatment as well I generally use ceftazadine injection.

Is shell rot contagious to humans?

Is Shell Rot Contagious? Shell rot depending on the type can be highly contagious, and one infected animal can spread it rapidly to all others it comes into contact with. It is not a condition that should be ignored or underestimated.

Why is it illegal to have a red eared slider?

Can you get rid of Salmonella on Turtle?

There are no methods guaranteed to rid turtles of salmonella, notes that CDC. “All turtles, regardless of [shell] size, should be handled as though they are infected with salmonella,” says the CDC in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.