my 1nch res turtle suffers frm shell rot.I was advised me to apply neosporin on its shell everyday and leave..

Question

but it doesnt seem to work..now a white line has formed in the centre on its shell..what should i do???

any medication...plzzzz

Answer 1

Turtles need to dry out each day. You should have a high enough rock that it is dry, so he can climb on it each day. When the shell is constantly wet, it will indeed rot. You should ask your vet about what to do.

Answer 2

Are you sure that it is shell rot?
Shell rot presents as small whitish or yellowish spots on the shell, that gradually grow and erode the shell. It is not the cause of the white line, I'm not sure what you mean by that. Soft shell is not the same as shell rot, although some people erroneously use the terms interchangeably.
I have successfully treated shell rot using the following technique:
-remove the turtle from the water and let it dry for a few hours.
-scrape the loose fungus off with a butter knife
-apply neosporin ointment to the wound, leave the turtle out of the water for a few more hours.
-repeat every three days for three weeks.
Add novaqua (available in fish stores) to the water as a preventative.

Answer 3

Sadly, that was bad advice.

There are many kinds of shell rot or shell damage. Some, like Soft Shell, are dietary problems. Most others are caused by fungi, germs, and so on, made worse by poor cares or stress.

A good care plan for shell rot is this:

1. Make sure your cares and diet are PERFECT. Try http://www.redearslider.com for details on this. Don't guess and don't trust pet shops or other people on this.

2. Make sure the cage is clean and stress is minimized.

3. Boost water temps to about 80-85F.

4. Daily, gently wash the shell with a soft brush or washcloth. Sprinkle salt on the rotted area and try to scrub off any debris or dirt possible. Do NOT try to pull off loose shell bits that are not coming off by themselves. Rinse well.

5. After the wash, scrub the affected area with Betadine Solution. Let it dry for about an hour.

6. If there are any sore-looking or raw areas, use antibiotic ointment on them only. Let dry for about an hour before going back in the water.

Answer 4

Make sure you have proper UVB and UVA lighting, as well as a dry spot for basking in your tank. RES love to bask, and should have a dry basking spot with a heat lamp of about 90F.

And if possible, take it to a Herp Vet if it's starting to look really bad.