Shell rot???

AnimalLady

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Hey all, went to check on the baby and it's like this appeared over night,or 2 nights. Is this shell rot? Do I need to clean with that hibiclens stuff then fungal ointment??? Help!

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How does his shell look? White stuff on top is that d earth stuff
 

Yvonne G

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Hard to tell just by looking at a picture, but it might be the start of shell rot. We have a couple good threads showing you how to care for shell rot. If you undertake the shell rot treatment and it wasn't shell rot, there's no harm done. The treatment won't harm the tortoise.
 

AnimalLady

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I don't see it either,Yvonne.
And +1
The dry looking area? You dont see it? Its closer to the lower part of the plastron. It doesnt smell at all. I called my vet and they are out until after the holiday, only emergency appts.

I guess i'm worried because ive read many times that RFs are more susceptible to shell rot and its constantly on my mind.
 

ZEROPILOT

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I see the area. It just doesn't look like shell fungus or rot to me. And I've had some of it.
Save the vet money and get some athletes foot cream and a firm tooth brush from the dollar store and clean the area and keep a smear of the cream on the area for a few days just in case.
This situation doesn't require a vet.
It looks like it could be a rub mark area.
In Florida, in the rainy season, these things are very common. It's also easily treatable. (If indeed it is fungal) It comes. It goes away and there is no real harm done by it.
 

AnimalLady

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Thanks Ed,

Everything ive been reading says if it is shell rot then I need to check my husbandry, I have checked it and dont see how I could possibly make any improvements. Looking over his enclosure the soil is not wet, is not moist on top, if i dig my fingers down to the dirt a bit then it becomes wet, just like any soil here in FL. I have a large piece of ply wood as a roof in there. I have lifted it up today so that just in case its too moist down there it gets dried out good by the sun today, i'll put it back down tonight. I guess i'm just a worry wart :\
 

ZEROPILOT

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Thanks Ed,

Everything ive been reading says if it is shell rot then I need to check my husbandry, I have checked it and dont see how I could possibly make any improvements. Looking over his enclosure the soil is not wet, is not moist on top, if i dig my fingers down to the dirt a bit then it becomes wet, just like any soil here in FL. I have a large piece of ply wood as a roof in there. I have lifted it up today so that just in case its too moist down there it gets dried out good by the sun today, i'll put it back down tonight. I guess i'm just a worry wart :\
That area of its shell could sit in urine or runny poop?
Again. Clean it. Treat it and don't worry about it.
 

AnimalLady

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OH GOOD! It had me unsure. Do you see any new growth on his shell? Where can I see that? If you do see new growth, does it look good?
 

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