Hi Everyone!
I was soaking Sid last night and notice that the bottom of his shell was peeling, so I took a soft bristled toothbrush and gently scrubed it off....now its white with some black spots. I'm guessing this isnt normal, maybe some kind of fungus. Tell me what you think.
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I'm no expert and I don't know redfoots but I would say No that is not normal and that it may be fungus or shell rot (which is a fungus). I'd check with some of the RF owners and maybe even pm them.
Apply betadine to the affected area daily, this will arrest the shell rot. There will not be a immediate change in apperence but it will begin to heal. what is your substat and what is the moisture level ? It should be mpist not damp. Think of what a forest floor is like, this is what you are trying to recreate not a swamp.
Sids substrate is crushed coconut shells, and is moist but not soaking wet. Usually it is dry. Humidity is at about 60 and normally doesnt get any higher or lower, temp is at 80.
What is Betadine and where can I buy it? Is it the same as like Tinactin?
Several rf keepers have had problems similar to this with coconut substrat. I know it sonds strange but this substrat seems to hold water more than other substrats. I would suggest cypress or hardwood mulch as a substrat. Whatever you do I would suggest the betadine treatment. I have used this treatment for years on shell rot cases and it does work.
Where can I buy Betadine?? Do I have to get it from a vet?
You can buy Betadine over the counter at any pharmacy
Where can I buy Betadine?? Do I have to get it from a vet?
A note of caution on Betadine. You should only use it one or two times to kill the fungus. After that, the Betadine also inhibits new tissue growth. To keep the site clean after the first couple Betadine treatments, use Chlorhexidine (Brand name - Nolvesan). This is a product that the surgeons use to wash with. It can also be bought over the counter at the drug store.
Yvonne
Josh, I agree this might be best stickied to the RFs.