I need help with my tortoise’s shell!

Rocketgay

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Hello! I am new here, so I hope I am posting this in the right thread.
I have a Hermann’s tortoise, which was given to me about ten years ago; her shell hasn’t been in the best condition ( chipping off scutes and discolouration ) for quite some time and I can’t seem to find a specialist in my area. I am concerned it might be shell rot or a bacterial infection. Could someone please help identify this condition?98BA4442-7834-4992-BAAC-BD9903D60595.jpeg
 

zolasmum

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Hello! I am new here, so I hope I am posting this in the right thread.
I have a Hermann’s tortoise, which was given to me about ten years ago; her shell hasn’t been in the best condition ( chipping off scutes and discolouration ) for quite some time and I can’t seem to find a specialist in my area. I am concerned it might be shell rot or a bacterial infection. Could someone please help identify this condition?View attachment 348790
Welcome to the forum. I have a Hermann's tortoise too - he is 20, and compared with him, yours looks very dry. I
am not an expert, but to me it looks like damage to the scute, rather than shell rot or infection. Do you soak him regularly in warm water?
Angie
 

Rocketgay

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Sofia
Welcome to the forum. I have a Hermann's tortoise too - he is 20, and compared with him, yours looks very dry. I
am not an expert, but to me it looks like damage to the scute, rather than shell rot or infection. Do you soak him regularly in warm water?
Angie
Yes, I soak him once a week in lukewarm water.
 

Yvonne G

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That's old damage and nothing to do about it or to worry about. It sort of looks like that piece of old, dead bone is now lifting and will soon pop off, showing beautiful, new keratin underneath. But hard to really tell cuz it's a bit blurry. At any rate, it's fine.
 

Rocketgay

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That's old damage and nothing to do about it or to worry about. It sort of looks like that piece of old, dead bone is now lifting and will soon pop off, showing beautiful, new keratin underneath. But hard to really tell cuz it's a bit blurry. At any rate, it's fine.
Thank you so much! I will take a better photo tomorrow as Minnie is now sleeping. : )
 

Sarah2020

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Please have a read of the care sheet to check set up and make adjustments.

When you soak you can use a small brush to go over the shell and and claws to clean it avoid eyes and face. You can also apply coconut oil to the scutes and new growth to moisturise. Ensure you provide calcium powder to fresh food to help shell strength. Look forward to seeing more pics of a 20 year tort, they will be nice to see.
 

zolasmum

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Please have a read of the care sheet to check set up and make adjustments.

When you soak you can use a small brush to go over the shell and and claws to clean it avoid eyes and face. You can also apply coconut oil to the scutes and new growth to moisturise. Ensure you provide calcium powder to fresh food to help shell strength. Look forward to seeing more pics of a 20 year tort, they will be nice to see.
Sorry , but I think you have got my comment about 20 year-old Zola's shell mixed up with what the new member was saying (-actually he is 22 but I forgot to check my typing before posting )
 

Rocketgay

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Aug 13, 2022
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Sofia
Please have a read of the care sheet to check set up and make adjustments.

When you soak you can use a small brush to go over the shell and and claws to clean it avoid eyes and face. You can also apply coconut oil to the scutes and new growth to moisturise. Ensure you provide calcium powder to fresh food to help shell strength. Look forward to seeing more pics of a 20 year tort, they will be nice to see.
Thank you for the information!
 

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