Shell rot?

[killuchen]

Due to my busy work schedule I have not been giving my torts the best attention . I think Sidious my smaller tort has developed a little shell rot?

Here's a pic. If so what is the best way to treat for hatchlings?



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[Jessadawn]

Definitely shell rot not sure if treating a hatchling is different then any other tort. But there is a really good post on how to treat shell rot. Think it's in the general section. Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[kimber_lee_314]

Yes, I agree. I have found the anti-fungal approach the best treatment. Sorry I can't remember the name of the stuff right now - maybe someone can jump in -

 

[Madkins007]

There are 3 main causes for shell rot, and each has a different specific solution.

CONTACT ROT is caused by too wet of a substrate. I personally find that sphagnum moss and a few others are the worst for this in my situations.
- Replace the damp substrate with something drier on top, like cypress mulch.
- Dry the plastron, scrubbing gently to remove any loose tissue.
- Scrub gently with something like Betadine Solution to kill off any crud.
- Repeat for a couple days, then stop using the Betadine- it inhibits new tissue growth.
- Keep the substrates mostly dry, and the plastron clean until it looks like it is healing (it won't grow new shell over it quickly, but the rotting will stop and heal.)
- Disinfect as much of the habitat as you can to prevent fungal or bacterial infestations.

FUNGAL ROT often starts as contact rot, then various fungi move in, much like athlete's foot in humans. This is usually whitish and 'cheesy', with an old cheese or foot odor.
- Use the above listed techniques, but after cleaning, apply some foot fungus ointment. You can keep using the ointment (but not the Betadine) for several days.

BACTERIAL ROT also starts as above, but bacteria move in, usually making black colonies and a bad smell in bad cases.
- Start as for contact rot, but apply antibiotic ointment in the same way we did the fungal ointment.

Generally, the rots appear in about the order above. You can treat for bacteria and fungus at the same time, but I think you get better results if the meds are not 'fighting' each other, so I go for fungal rot unless I suspect bacteria infestations.

 

[killuchen]

Thank you so much fellas. I think my tort got it from the spag moss. I stopped using it and I just use cypress mulch now. Ill buy some betadine and also some athlete's foot cream.