Im having an argument on another board in regards to a small Three Toed Boxie a friend took in recently off of Freecycle. This poor fella has major MBD, is mis-shaped cant close his shell, carapace curls up on the ends, etc etc. He also has some shell rot going on and one girl recommended my friend get some Vit E oil and rub it on the shell. I advised against that and had already recommended triple antibiotic ointment, betadine and chlorhexadine to my friend for the issue. Well of course the girl comes back and wants to tell me there are plenty of sources online that do recommend Vit E oil to retain glossiness and help with peeling. You know everything online must be correct right?
My reply
Anyone else have anything I should add to this? She also recommended feeding the young Boxie some cat food cuz hers love it. Yes I know there are several sites that do include it in their list of foods but I will not give it to mine. ;D
I'm sorry Anja, I don't mean to argue - but I've had several resources that have advised using Vitamin E oil on shells to help regain its glossiness or to help with flaking. Just to check myself I looked up some websites that also recommend it. Vitamin E is natural - I don't understand how it wouldnt be good for them. Obviously if there was an injury or bacterial infection, such an oil would only cover the problem and not treat it but for just an additive measure to eventually repairing damage - I dont see the problem and apparently neither do many other resources found across the internet. Maybe theres a specific issue with it that I didnt see?
My reply
If he indeed has shell rot or some sort of bacterial infection putting any type of oil on top of it is not recommended. Their shells arent waxed and buffed (glossed) in the wild so why would you want to do so? Sorry just my thoughts and the thoughts of lots of other keepers. Just because its found on the internet doesnt necessarily make it correct. Flaking in Box Turtles can be a sign of shell rot. Again why cover it up with oil?
Anyone else have anything I should add to this? She also recommended feeding the young Boxie some cat food cuz hers love it. Yes I know there are several sites that do include it in their list of foods but I will not give it to mine. ;D