Is my baby Sulcata's shell rotting?

Yona

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Hi
I have just received my 1 month old baby Sulcata from a local breeder and I noticed a mark on her shell. So I wanted to know is this the beginning of shell rot? And how can I get rid of it?
 

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Blackdog1714

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Completely normal. I suggest reading the attached thread to circumvent future questions
 

zovick

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Hi
I have just received my 1 month old baby Sulcata from a local breeder and I noticed a mark on her shell. So I wanted to know is this the beginning of shell rot? And how can I get rid of it?
It does look abnormal but it does not look like shell rot from what I can see in your photos. Shell rot usually appears on the underside of the tortoise (the plastron) and looks white.

Not exactly sure how to get rid of this. If you can get Neosporin and put a dab of that on it for a week or ten days, it may heal it. If the Neosporin does not help, I would try Mycolog next. Neosporin is for bacterial problems and Mycolog is for fungal problems, so they are not used to treat the same thing.

Another idea might be to use one of them one day and the other the next day for ten to fourteen days. That way, you are treating the area for both bacterial and fungal infection.
 

Yona

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It does look abnormal but it does not look like shell rot from what I can see in your photos. Shell rot usually appears on the underside of the tortoise (the plastron) and looks white.

Not exactly sure how to get rid of this. If you can get Neosporin and put a dab of that on it for a week or ten days, it may heal it. If the Neosporin does not help, I would try Mycolog next. Neosporin is for bacterial problems and Mycolog is for fungal problems, so they are not used to treat the same thing.

Another idea might be to use one of them one day and the other the next day for ten to fourteen days. That way, you are treating the area for both bacterial and fungal infection.
Thank you so much for your help <3
 

Yona

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Completely normal. I suggest reading the attached thread to circumvent future questions
Oh thank god, thanks for your help!
 

Yvonne G

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To me it looks like a mouse or rat started to chew on the shell. Just keep it clean and use the Neosporin. It will fade as he grows.
 

Yona

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To me it looks like a mouse or rat started to chew on the shell. Just keep it clean and use the Neosporin. It will fade as he grows.

To me it looks like a mouse or rat started to chew on the shell. Just keep it clean and use the Neosporin. It will fade as he grows.
Lol, there are no mice in my room. It turned out to be a stain.
 

Yona

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I have a last question: is it okay to use Red Bark as a substrate for baby Sulcata?
 

Blackdog1714

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I have a last question: is it okay to use Red Bark as a substrate for baby Sulcata?
Not sure what Red Bark is? Fine Fir bark is the substrate of choice for its ability to hold moisture, be safe if digested, last for a long time, and generally look the nicest. Look for Reptibark (Commercial Brand for pet trade) or Orchid Bark fine grade for the plant trade. Good luck
 

Yona

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Not sure what Red Bark is? Fine Fir bark is the substrate of choice for its ability to hold moisture, be safe if digested, last for a long time, and generally look the nicest. Look for Reptibark (Commercial Brand for pet trade) or Orchid Bark fine grade for the plant trade. Good luck
I think it is similar to an orchid bark if not the same thing. This is how it looks.
 

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Blackdog1714

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I think it is similar to an orchid bark if not the same thing. This is how it looks.
A particularly absorbent substrate made of Douglas fir bark. For semi-damp and, in particular, for damp terraria. Moisture storage capacity controls the humidity in the terrarium as needed. Ideal for larger reptiles and rainforest dwellers. For example for Iguana sp., Testudo sp., Physignathus sp. and Dendrobates sp..

Yep that is that is what you are looking for. I figured the branding would be different from what is in the US due to licensing.
 

Yona

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A particularly absorbent substrate made of Douglas fir bark. For semi-damp and, in particular, for damp terraria. Moisture storage capacity controls the humidity in the terrarium as needed. Ideal for larger reptiles and rainforest dwellers. For example for Iguana sp., Testudo sp., Physignathus sp. and Dendrobates sp..

Yep that is that is what you are looking for. I figured the branding would be different from what is in the US due to licensing.
So it's okay to use it for my sulcata tortoise?
 

Yona

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A particularly absorbent substrate made of Douglas fir bark. For semi-damp and, in particular, for damp terraria. Moisture storage capacity controls the humidity in the terrarium as needed. Ideal for larger reptiles and rainforest dwellers. For example for Iguana sp., Testudo sp., Physignathus sp. and Dendrobates sp..

Yep that is that is what you are looking for. I figured the branding would be different from what is in the US due to licensing.
I also wanted to ask about the lighting. I have these three products; heating emitter lamp, daylight spot (UVA + UVB), and a heating UVB lamp. So I would like to ask is it okay to just use the UVB with the heating lamp or the daylight spot with the heat emitter lamp? (Just 2 products)
 

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Yona

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I am currently using a UVB light with a heat emitter lamp. I always keep the temperature at around 85-95F and humidity 80% and more. But my question is, is it enough to just use these two lamps or would it be better to substitute the UVB with the daylight lamp? Also how do I know the perfect intensity for my tortoise? I am currently keeping the UVB at the lowest intensity but it still covers the entire place. Also the last thing is that the enclosure I purchased is an open-top which is the only thing I could find. So I am covering the top with a towel to keep the moisture and heat in since the closed enclosure it going to arrive in about a week. So it is okay?

?(Please advise me on how to make the enclosure better for my tortoise)?
 

Maggie3fan

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Are you sure? And can you please tell me why?
Because it is dyed that red, is it going to run off on that baby? Does it have pine or cedar in it? Read up on what is actually in or on that stuff...use fine grade orchid bark or cocoir
read this...really...

 

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