How Waterproof Are Turtle Shells?

Turtles are fascinating creatures, but they can be quite delicate and require careful handling. One common issue that turtle owners may encounter is a condition called shell rot, which is an infection of the turtle's shell. Shell rot can be caused by damage or poor care, and it is often seen in wild turtles that are dehydrated and in poor body condition. Pet turtles may exhibit more subtle signs, such as a red tinge on the shell, slime, a bad smell, flaking of the scutes, or an easily damaged shell.

To treat shell rot, it is important to first remove any dead areas of the shell by gently scraping or cutting them away. Soaking the shell in a dilute betadine solution for about ten minutes can help. Afterward, scrubbing the shell with a brush can remove any leftover flakes or debris, and finally, rinsing with fresh water is essential. This process may need to be repeated every few days for severe cases.

In addition to treating shell rot, it is crucial to address the underlying causes. Dehydration is a common issue for turtles, and it can lead to problems such as cystic calculi (bladder stones). Providing enough water and ensuring proper nutrition are vital to keeping your turtle healthy.

Another issue that turtle owners may encounter is irregular shell growth, which could be a sign of malnutrition or metabolic bone disease. A turtle's shell may also suffer fractures or trauma from blunt force, such as being hit by a car or dropped. It is important to seek veterinary attention immediately if your turtle's shell is damaged, as infections or permanent blood supply damage can occur within hours.

Shell rot is a common infection in turtles, which can be treated by debriding dead areas of the shell and applying antibiotics

Shell rot is a common infection in turtles, often caused by bacteria found in a turtle's environment infecting the blood vessels in its shell. This can be treated by debriding dead areas of the shell and applying antibiotics.

Identifying Shell Rot

Shell rot can occur on both the carapace (top half of the shell) and the plastron (bottom half of the shell). It is characterised by small pits and divots in the shell, giving it a moth-eaten appearance. You may also notice soft spots or small areas of bloody discharge. In severe cases, entire scutes may fall off, exposing the bone and nerves underneath the shell.

Treating Mild Shell Rot at Home

If your turtle has small areas of mild shell rot and is active, clear-eyed, and eating well, you can treat it at home. Here are the steps you should take:

• Identify and correct the cause of shell rot, which is often due to poor conditions such as dirty water or lack of appropriate basking area and light.
• Clean your turtle's shell with a soft toothbrush and mild soap to remove any dirt, algae, and damaged pieces of the outer layers of the scutes.
• Dry your turtle thoroughly. Gently peel off any scutes that come off easily. Try to scrape out the white pits, but leave them in place if they don't come out easily.
• Disinfect the shell with a general antiseptic such as Nolvasan (chlorhexidine) or Betadine (povidone-iodine). Soaking the turtle in a shallow liquid may be beneficial if there are a large number of tiny discoloured areas.
• Air-dry your turtle in a dry container for at least 2 hours. It is important to keep the animal dry for a lengthy period, but also prevent dehydration and excessive stress.
• Repeat the cleaning, disinfecting, and air-drying process daily for 5-7 days. If there are still discoloured areas after 2 weeks, consult a veterinarian.

Treating Severe Shell Rot with a Veterinarian

If your turtle shows signs of severe shell rot, such as large areas of infection, reddened areas under the scutes, or pus or sticky wet areas on the shell, take your turtle to an experienced exotic animal veterinarian immediately. Severe infections may require extensive debriding and antibiotic injections for the turtle to survive.

Preventing Shell Rot

To prevent shell rot, it is important to maintain clean water and provide a dry area with a warming light for basking. Additionally, ensure that your turtle's enclosure has correct humidity and temperature levels to prevent cracking of the shell.

Cystic calculi, commonly known as bladder stones, are caused by improper nutrition and dehydration, and can be treated with surgery and fluid therapy

Cystic calculi, also known as bladder stones, are hardened mineral clumps that form in the bladder. They are caused by a variety of factors, including improper nutrition and dehydration. Bladder stones develop when urine remains in the bladder for an extended period, causing waste products such as salt, potassium, and protein waste to clump together and form hard crystals. Dehydration contributes to this process by preventing the dilution and flushing of minerals from the bladder.

Treatment options for bladder stones include cystolitholapaxy, a minimally invasive procedure that breaks down the stones, and surgery to remove large stones. Fluid therapy is also recommended, as drinking plenty of water, tea, or coffee can help clear small bladder stones by diluting the minerals in the urine.

Prolapse occurs when an organ protrudes from the vent, and can be life-threatening if not addressed by a veterinarian

Prolapse in turtles is a common problem, even for experienced keepers. It occurs when an organ protrudes from the vent, and can be life-threatening if not addressed by a veterinarian.

The most common type of prolapse is an everted male sex organ. This will look like a large, cylindrical, black tube with a flattened or multi-lobed end. A prolapsed sex organ should go back in on its own within a few minutes. If it doesn't, there is a problem.

The second type of prolapse is of internal organs such as the rectum or large intestine. This is much more serious and not normal in any circumstance. Prolapsed internal tissues and organs look like a fold or bubble of red material coming out of the vent, becoming more swollen over time.

The number one cause of both kinds of prolapse is constipation. Other common causes include intestinal parasites, impaction from eating pebbles or gravel, low levels of calcium in the blood plasma, incorrect temperatures, poor husbandry, and lack of proper nutrition.

If you suspect your turtle has a prolapse, get treatment from your vet. A prolapse that lasts more than a few minutes is an emergency that requires veterinary treatment.

Irregular shell growth may be a sign of malnutrition or metabolic bone disease, requiring veterinary treatment and dietary corrections

Irregular shell growth in turtles may indicate malnutrition or metabolic bone disease

Turtles with irregular shell growth may be suffering from malnutrition or metabolic bone disease, which can have serious health consequences and require prompt veterinary treatment and dietary corrections.

Metabolic Bone Disease in Turtles

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a general term for a group of medical disorders that affect the bones' integrity and function. It is commonly seen in juvenile reptiles and can lead to lameness, skeletal abnormalities, and spinal issues. MBD can be caused by a calcium or vitamin D3 deficiency, an imbalance in the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in the diet, or inadequate exposure to ultraviolet (UVB) radiation.

Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (NSHP)

NSHP is the most common form of MBD and is often referred to as "rubber jaw" due to the softening and deformation of the lower jaw in affected animals. It is caused by an inappropriate diet or husbandry practices, such as a deficiency of calcium or vitamin D3, an excess of phosphorus, or a lack of UVB exposure. NSHP can affect all reptilian and amphibian species but is most commonly seen in diurnal lizards and chelonians. Symptoms include thickening and swelling of the long bones and mandibles, pathological fractures, horizontal rotation of the scapulae, tremors, muscle fasciculations, and paralysis.

Renal Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (RSHP)

RSHP is a consequence of chronic renal disease and is characterized by hyperphosphatemia, soft tissue calcification, renal osteodystrophy, and hypocalcemia. It occurs when there is a decrease in the filtration rate, leading to phosphorus retention and increased blood phosphorus levels. This, along with decreased production of calcitriol, results in low blood calcium levels.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of MBD is typically based on signalment, husbandry information, clinical signs, and radiography. Radiographs may show poor mineralization of the bones, deposition of fibrous tissue, and evidence of pathological fractures. Treatment for MBD focuses on stopping bone loss and promoting new bone production. This includes oral or parenteral calcium supplementation and ensuring adequate UVB exposure. In some cases, surgery or radiation may be necessary.

Prognosis and Prevention

The prognosis for MBD depends on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Early intervention can result in a near-normal life expectancy. However, when there is significant organ impairment or systemic infection, the prognosis is guarded to poor. It is important to address the underlying causes and make corrections to diet and husbandry practices to prevent MBD.

Shell fractures are often caused by blunt trauma and can become infected if not treated promptly by a veterinarian

Shell fractures in turtles are often caused by blunt trauma, such as being hit by a car or boat propeller. These fractures can be extremely painful for the turtle and can lead to severe internal injuries. It is important to seek veterinary treatment promptly as these fractures can become infected if left untreated.

When treating a turtle with a shell fracture, the first step is to assess for any life-threatening injuries, such as head trauma, large shell deficits, loss of eyes, or paralysis of the hind legs. If any of these are present, the turtle should be humanely euthanised.

The next steps include stopping any bleeding, radiographing the turtle to assess the extent of the fracture, and providing analgesia to manage pain. It is also important to provide temporary stabilisation of mobile shell fragments to prevent further movement and reduce pain.

Turtles with shell fractures should be kept in a warm and humid environment, with access to water for drinking and swimming. They may need to be "dry docked" temporarily to prevent infection at the fracture site.

Veterinarians will often treat the fracture with antibiotics and analgesics, and in some cases, surgery may be required to repair the shell. The turtle's rehabilitation and release back into the wild should be carefully monitored, as full recovery can take up to 30 months.

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