Something wrong with my turtles shell........?

Question

I have had my Florida River Cooter for 15 years. I have taken very good care of her and made sure that she stays healthy. Recently I let her spend the summer in an outdoor pond at my dads house while we worked on ours at home. She has stayed in this particular pond a few years ago every summer and no negative effects. Now that it is cooling down I went to get her and she has several white spots all over the top and bottom of her shell. These are hard, and I was able to peel one off and the shell under it was the normal color although it wasnt smooth like it should be. Other spots seem to be one layer into the shell. Is this shell rot? Also some of the white spots seem like there is air underneath.... What do I need to do short of taking her to the vet?

I have had her for 15 years and I am used to the usual shedding of the shell, I have never seen her shell do this before.....once she fell off a step and a white spot of damage appeared but soon healed, this is very similar to that spot except there are lots.

Answer 1

It is maybe a fungus but yes im not 100% it can be a fungus but my turtle had the same thing i took it to the vet u should do the same this is dangerous for a turtle because its not common

Answer 2

Small isolated white spots under the shell are usually just air bubbles- nothing to worry about.

Small white deposits on the shell are often a minor fungal growth or chemical deposit.

Just because your turtle has stayed there before does not mean that the water in the pond is the exact same as before, and your turtle IS a year older than before. 15 is also pretty old for a captive turtle.

Scrape off what you can, treat the rest with a disinfecting agent, like providone iodine (Betadine Solution), dilute bleach (dab only on the shell), Turtle Sulfa Dip, or 'Stress Coat' (a fish medicine). Let the bleach or Betadine dry before returning the turtle to the water.

Answer 3

She may have shell rot. It can be deadly. But shell rot is often a symptom, not a disease all by itself. In sulcatas and boxies, it often means the animal was so deficient in vitamins A, and D (and maybe calcium too), that is has developed a liver illness.

The poster above is right, you can scrape off necrotic tissue and treat with an antibacterial. But the issue here is, that those ulcers are often a sign of an organ beginning to fail her. Only a professional can help you now, as she may need shots and an antibacterial ointment to treat the ulcers on the shell. You need to keep her dry (unbelievably so), until she recovers because the moisture feeds the infection. keep her hydrated though. And she will need good sunlight.

Some treatments involve applying iodine tincture for the sores but you still need to build up her vitamins. If she is not eating well, it can only be done through shots and/or surgery, implanting a tube through her neck, delivering food directly to the stomach.

Good luck

Answer 4

the stuff you are peeling off is just her shedding, the real sunlight mightave speeded the process. Also , the rotting could be from the elge in the pond and the rough spots are normal.

Answer 5

white spots under the shell are usually just air bubbles
Small white deposits on the shell are often a minor fungal growth.
Scrape off what you can, treat the rest with a disinfecting agent, like providone iodinedilute bleach Turtle Sulfa Dip, or 'Stress Coat Let the bleach or Betadine dry before returning the turtle to the water. hope this helps.

Answer 6

well first of all it might be another turtl in the pond that looks similar lol.
it may be that you took her from one place to another
and maybe she couldnt like fit herself in ,,, that kind of water
take her to the vets as soon as possible

Answer 7

shell rot usually eats a hole into the shell.it could be extra calcium deposits.

Answer 8

Not entirely sure i would sugest taking your pet to a vet.