Shell Problems

[Josuergarcia]

Hello,

My tortoise is having shell problems can anyone tell me whats wrong? The shell has gotten lighter around the scutes and there has been some minor dark spots growing. Does this sound familiar? He is eating healthy and is still very energetic. If you can identify the problem please help me. I will post pictures below.

 

[Tom]

I don't see a problem. I see the lighter area between the scutes, but it does not appear to be a problem. Does he get much sunshine?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Josue:

It might be that the light was a bit too close to the top of the tortoise's shell and the new growth was burned a little. How far away is your light? You can dab some NeoSporin on those spots, then wipe away the excess.

Or, it might be like Tom says...nothing but new growth.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

Looks like new growth to me ...

 

[Josuergarcia]

My only fear is there seems to be some sort of scabbing in one of the areas i brushed it a bit (very gently) and some came off and it seemed to be almost bleeding. I will post an up close picture just so you may get a better look at it just incase. Can never be too cautious with him. But other than that Thank You a bunch put my mind at ease.

 

[Josuergarcia]

I don't see a problem. I see the lighter area between the scutes, but it does not appear to be a problem. Does he get much sunshine?

Hey gets moderate sunshine he’s been without his mercury bulb for a about 3 weeks. I ordered and it was on backorder. Its on its way now. Other than that I take him out every other day and make sure he gets d3 supplement in the mean time.

 

[Yvonne G]

My only fear is there seems to be some sort of scabbing in one of the areas i brushed it a bit (very gently) and some came off and it seemed to be almost bleeding. I will post an up close picture just so you may get a better look at it just incase. Can never be too cautious with him. But other than that Thank You a bunch put my mind at ease.

Then my first thought holds for me. When the light was on him, how far from his back was it?

 

[Josuergarcia]

My only fear is there seems to be some sort of scabbing in one of the areas i brushed it a bit (very gently) and some came off and it seemed to be almost bleeding. I will post an up close picture just so you may get a better look at it just incase. Can never be too cautious with him. But other than that Thank You a bunch put my mind at ease.

Then my first thought holds for me. When the light was on him, how far from his back was it?

The mercury bulb was rather far about 32 inches give or take (as the manufacture box says and his heating bulb keeps his basking area at about 90 degrees. Should I make some adjustments?

 

[Josuergarcia]

So I posted some larger pictures. I had to create a photo-bucket because I didn't want to post a huge picture on the forum. These pics seem to show the true problem. Please help any advice is welcomed. The problem seems to be the area around the scutes. Thank you! The link to the 2 pics will be below:

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/JosuerGarcia/DSC02756.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/JosuerGarcia/DSC02751.jpg

 

[Yvonne G]

That is the space where new growth appears. For some reason (unknown to me) there are raw spots in the new growth. If I had this on one of my tortoises all I would do is first aid...apply triple antibiotic ointment to see if it heals.

 

[Josuergarcia]

That is the space where new growth appears. For some reason (unknown to me) there are raw spots in the new growth. If I had this on one of my tortoises all I would do is first aid...apply triple antibiotic ointment to see if it heals.

THANK YOU SOO MUCH!! Ill put some on as soon as im home thanks again you were super helpful and put my mind at ease I was freaking out.

 

[Livingstone]

I agree with the anti-biotic ointment. Would you mind telling me what the diet is?

 

[Josuergarcia]

I agree with the anti-biotic ointment. Would you mind telling me what the diet is?

Grasses and plants from this website belowhttp://www.sulcatafood.com/Store.html) and some other grass ive had in my front yard. As well as Mazuri mix once a month.

 

[Tom]

That's a new one for me. If it were a burn, I would expect the damage to be on the high points or just more universal. The problem is happening at the valley between the scutes where liquid would tend to flow and collect.

Where abouts do you live? What sort of weather and humidity do you usually have? Is it possible that some sort of chemical was sprayed on the shell inadvertently?

 

[Josuergarcia]

That's a new one for me. If it were a burn, I would expect the damage to be on the high points or just more universal. The problem is happening at the valley between the scutes where liquid would tend to flow and collect.

Where abouts do you live? What sort of weather and humidity do you usually have? Is it possible that some sort of chemical was sprayed on the shell inadvertently?

The weather isn't very humid. I live in SoCal but he still lives in the house in his home i’ve built him. There as well seems to be nothing that could have fell on him.

 

[Livingstone]

Might be an infection but see if it clears up with some antibiotic ointment.