Tortoise's uneven growth and ruined shell on one side

[lenak37]

Hi guys, I'm a new member even though I had my tortoise for a year if not more, there's something with her shell on one side both on top and bottom of her shell even her nail on that side all broke and fell off, the picture with her nails on there side curved is the non ruined side,

when we got her she was completely fine.
I don't even remember when her shell started growing uneven and ruined honestly.

I tried googling what's wrong, why only one side is like this but nothing, she seems healthy to me, she's eating and all.

We also took her to the villages vet and he told us little more than nothing but didn't help at all. Maybe he is just inexperienced with tortoise's or idk.

Could someone tell me what's wrong and how to fix this?

 

[TammyJ]

You said you got her a year or more ago, and that when you got her, she was "completely fine". This means that whatever injury she suffered, as seen in the pictures,happened during her time in your care, doesn't it?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Do you have a heater underneath the tortoise?
What are you using for heat?
These look like severe burns to me

 

[lenak37]

You said you got her a year or more ago, and that when you got her, she was "completely fine". This means that whatever injury she suffered, as seen in the pictures,happened during her time in your care, doesn't it?

Yeah but I don't know what I did wrong

 

[TammyJ]

It looks like an injury caused by some traumatic event like getting crushed at some point. @Yvonne G @zovick

 

[lenak37]

It looks like an injury caused by some traumatic event like getting crushed at some point. @Yvonne G @zovick

Oh no she hasn't gotten into any accident in my care

 

[TammyJ]

Do you have a heater underneath the tortoise?
What are you using for heat?
These look like severe burns to me

I agree it could be burns. Please answer these questions to try and help your tortoise.

 

[lenak37]

Do you have a heater underneath the tortoise?
What are you using for heat?
These look like severe burns to me

I use uv light I bought it in the pet store it should be made for tortoise's and other reptiles, it did fall on it's back like 3-4 times I the past but I didn't think it was serious since it went back to normal after few minutes when I turned it back on feet, it was also long ago

 

[lenak37]

I agree it could be burns. Please answer these questions to try and help your tortoise.

I am, I'm just busy sometimes sorry

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I use uv light I bought it in the pet store it should be made for tortoise's and other reptiles, it did fall on it's back like 3-4 times I the past but I didn't think it was serious since it went back to normal after few minutes when I turned it back on feet, it was also long ago

Is it a UV and HEAT light?
If so, how far away is it and what is the temperature under it?
(We're just guessing here)

 

[lenak37]

Is it a UV and HEAT light?
If so, how far away is it and what is the temperature under it?
(We're just guessing here)

I'm not sure we bought it long ago and threw away the box but I guess it both its about 30cm far away and I have no idea what's the temperature but when I put my hand under it it's warm but not too warm, maybe if shes under the light for long it different for her 🤔

 

[Yvonne G]

When a ight or heat source burns a tortoise's shell it only affects the shell growth where the light was burning. Since both the plastron and the carapace are involved I'm leaning more towards incorrect nutrition. We see shell growth like this frequently in box turtles on incorrect diets and lighting. Do you feed this tortoise cat or dog food? What and how often do you feed this tortoise.

 

[lenak37]

When a ight or heat source burns a tortoise's shell it only affects the shell growth where the light was burning. Since both the plastron and the carapace are involved I'm leaning more towards incorrect nutrition. We see shell growth like this frequently in box turtles on incorrect diets and lighting. Do you feed this tortoise cat or dog food? What and how often do you feed this tortoise.

No I never even thought about feeding her cat or dog food. I feed her every day

 

[jaizei]

I agree with Yvonne, my first thought was poor nutrition/mbd.

 

[wellington]

No I never even thought about feeding her cat or dog food. I feed her every day

It should not eat dog or cat food so that's good you don't feed it. Yvonne wasn't suggesting to feed it. But if that's what you did feed, it could be the problem.
Seeing you don't feed it, what do you feed? List all diet items.
There is no dog that could have gotten to him?
You need to buy a thermostat and a point and shoot infrared temp gun. You should know the temps not just guessing with it feels warm.
You should be using a tube florescent for uvb.
Incandescent flood bulb for basking of 95-100 temps and ceramic heat emitter(s) or heat panels for added day and night heat.
UV bulbs need to be changed every 6 to 12 months unless you have a UV meter to read the levels that are being given out.

 

[lenak37]

It should not eat dog or cat food so that's good you don't feed it. Yvonne wasn't suggesting to feed it. But if that's what you did feed, it could be the problem.
Seeing you don't feed it, what do you feed? List all diet items.
There is no dog that could have gotten to him?
You need to buy a thermostat and a point and shoot infrared temp gun. You should know the temps not just guessing with it feels warm.
You should be using a tube florescent for uvb.
Incandescent flood bulb for basking of 95-100 temps and ceramic heat emitter(s) or heat panels for added day and night heat.
UV bulbs need to be changed every 6 to 12 months unless you have a UV meter to read the levels that are being given out.

I didn't feed it pet food, I don't own neither cat or dog so she hasn't been bitten

I feed her various foods -that I make sure are safe- but she rather stays with the classics like lettuce, Dandelion leafs, cucumber, any type of berry

I'll look into these other things w light and warmth

 

[wellington]

Do not feed berries or any fruit.

 

[lenak37]

Do not feed berries or any fruit.

Why? I mean I heard it's got a lot of sugar but if I also heard if I don't feed it often it's good for them in small portions

 

[mojo_1]

Why? I mean I heard it's got a lot of sugar but if I also heard if I don't feed it often it's good for them in small portions

The only ones that can eat fruit are the redfoot and yellowfoot tortoise. The rest should not get fruits their digestive system cannot handle it.

 

[lenak37]

The only ones that can eat fruit are the redfoot and yellowfoot tortoise. The rest should not get fruits their digestive system cannot handle it.

Oh alr I won't anymore