What's wrong with my turtle?

Question

I believe my turtle is a western-painted turtle. I got it when it was very little. Now it has grown and has a sunken in shell. It's really noticable. The turtle does not use its back legs very much. It can't swim. There are no vets around me that can care for turtles. What do I do?

My turtles are properly taken care of now but who knows about the past. They are in a tank with proper temperature, filter, light, feeding, etc.

Answer 1

The advice Mystical Star "borrowed" can be found on ATP (Austin's turtle page) at this link: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm

Please do quote the source and recognise the authors. Thanks.

Back to the question, the turtle is lucky to have someone like you so caring. I have kept, bred and rescued hundreds of turtles, but I am not clear what you're describing. It is dented and cannot swim. Perhaps the shell was crushed and it has healed over and it has lost it use of the legs. It sounds like an old healed injury and your turtle handicaped? Correct?

If your turtle is handicapped, keep her in shallow water since painted are a freshwater species and feel safe in the water. If s/he is eating, you're OK.

If the injury is new and it seems to be in pain, you need to take it to a herp vet ASAP. Here is a link from ATP for herp vets in each state:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Info/state_resources.htm

If you are unsure, send me a picture ([e-mail]) and I can help you assess the situation and see if a herp vet visit in necesary and/or give your suggestions for your handicaped painted.

Cheers,
JJ

Answer 2

Remove turtle and place in a quarantine tank. The infected areas should be cleaned and, if need be, affected scutes removed to ensure effective treatment underneath. Remove all squishy, off-white colored material. Be careful as the infection may have gone deep. Going too deep may cause you to penetrate into the body cavity. If you see that you will have to go more then a little bit past the surface of the shell, stop and seek veterinary assistance.

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.

NOTE: The betadine bath's 'weak tea' solution is not advised as this can potentially bring about health issues later on.

Treatment using Acriflavine

Acriflavine is one of the greatest meds to use with turtles. I have treated shell infections with numerous medications and methods, but Acriflavine has given me better and faster results. This is my treatment method:

Week 1 - Do a complete water change. Remove any carbon media from filters. Add Acriflavine according to the directions on the label.

Week 2 - Do a 100% water change again, adding another treatment of Acriflavine.

Week 3 - Yet another 100% water change, this time, do not add in Acriflavine. Do not add any carbon media at this time.

Week 4 - Do a 100% water change again, adding another treatment of Acriflavine.

Week 5 - Personal preference on either leaving the treated water in the habitat, or changing it out. I have done both and have seen no differences in affect.

At this point, do 50% water changes for the next few weeks, and then taper back down to your normal routine. This will not only assist in fighting off anything that is trying to re-establish itself in your turtle's home, but also helps in general with water quality until the turtle has had proper time to heal.

Hope this helps, good luck !!

Answer 3

Usually shell problems are from improper care, heating, lighting, and diet. Go to www.austinsturtlepage.com....it's for RES but same care for painted turtles. Find out what you are doing wrong and what you can fix. It may be too late without a reptile vet to help at this point.

Answer 4

Oh, that is not good. I would try to find a herp vet in your area. You might have to do a little research, but I am sure there has to be one somewhere close to you. You might call and ask for a referral from a regular vet, they usually have information on where to find a exotic or herp vet.

Good luck.

Answer 5

1. It sounds like it is suffering a nutritional deficiency. Poor diet over time is one common cause of rear-limb weakness, and the suggestions of shell problems follow the same thing.

2. If you would please describe the basic cares it gets- tank size and set-p, heat, lighting, filtration, and most importantly- diet- we could offer more specific help. Saying it is OK does not help.

A good source for help is http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

Answer 6

Is it possible that it was dropped on it's shell. google western painted turtles diseases.. it could help.. good luck

here is one reference for feeding etc.

http://herpnet.net/Minnesota-Herpetology/turtles/W.Painted_Turtle.html

Answer 7

Learn proper turtle care before you get another one.
Because this one's about dead.