Weird bump thing on neck

[eugene91]

Hi, just got this red ear slider last week. For the last 2 day, notice it hardly go into the water and feed. Also there is a weird bump thingy on the neck area.
is he having any health issue? Please help, beginner here.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Could you get a better picture of the bump with the neck stretched out?

 

[eugene91]

So far i cant get a picture of its head stretch out. and i dun think i have seen it since the weird bump appearing. Is it a cause for concern? will try to hold it and try again later.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

So far i cant get a picture of its head stretch out. and i dun think i have seen it since the weird bump appearing. Is it a cause for concern? will try to hold it and try again later.

I just think we could see the bump better that way, but don't stress about it too much

 

[eugene91]

I just think we could see the bump better that way, but don't stress about it too much

Hi, does the attach image helps? Also I realise there is some discolouration around the body feet area.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hi, does the attach image helps? Also I realise there is some discolouration around the body feet area.

Do you mean that brown discoloration? Maybe @turtlesteve knows what it could be? I am not that familiar with water turtles.

 

[Ink]

Is it the only turtle in the tank? @mark1 @DoubleD1996!

 

[turtlesteve]

It is definitely sick with something, just not 100% sure what.

I’ve never seen Austwickia on an aquatic turtle so i don’t know what it would look like, but this is vaguely similar - skin lesions, weird baggy looking skin.

If the hatchling is lethargic and not eating then your odds of saving it are probably low.

 

[eugene91]

Is it the only turtle in the tank? @mark1 @DoubleD1996!

There is another one. Should i be separating them?

It is definitely sick with something, just not 100% sure what.

I’ve never seen Austwickia on an aquatic turtle so i don’t know what it would look like, but this is vaguely similar - skin lesions, weird baggy looking skin.

If the hatchling is lethargic and not eating then your odds of saving it are probably low.

Is there anything i should look out for to confirm this diagnose?

 

[turtlesteve]

It could really only be confirmed by a biopsy, or if the turtle dies, a necropsy, via examination of tissue samples - performed by a veterinarian experienced with this disease (and possibly requiring a PCR test for confirmation). This would cost a significant amount of money and I have no idea how to provide further advice since you're on the other side of the world from me.

If the turtle isn't eating you will not be able to administer oral antibiotics, and a hatchling this small is not going to tolerate repeated antibiotic injections necessary to treat the disease.

Even if you separate the other turtle, it's been exposed to whatever this one has - it may get sick as well or it might not (if healthy enough it's immune system could fight it off). I would certainly not put another turtle with either of the ones you have, and don't buy any other turtles from the same source.

 

[eugene91]

It could really only be confirmed by a biopsy, or if the turtle dies, a necropsy, via examination of tissue samples - performed by a veterinarian experienced with this disease (and possibly requiring a PCR test for confirmation). This would cost a significant amount of money and I have no idea how to provide further advice since you're on the other side of the world from me.

If the turtle isn't eating you will not be able to administer oral antibiotics, and a hatchling this small is not going to tolerate repeated antibiotic injections necessary to treat the disease.

Even if you separate the other turtle, it's been exposed to whatever this one has - it may get sick as well or it might not (if healthy enough it's immune system could fight it off). I would certainly not put another turtle with either of the ones you have, and don't buy any other turtles from the same source.

Deeply appreciate the advise on this. I guess now I can only wait and see if it get better or worst.

 

[TammyJ]

I am sorry about your little turtle. He certainly does not look healthy.

 

[KarenSoCal]

@turtlesteve

Any chance that the discoloration could be fungal? Maybe a little athlete's foot cream would be worth trying?

 

[turtlesteve]

Never seen a fungal infection present like this, but can’t rule it out either.

One thing that you could plausibly attempt is to dissolve medication in the water it’s living in:

- Acriflavine is effective for fungal infections
- Enrofloxacin or possibly doxycycline for bacterial infections

I don’t know what dosages to attempt off hand but I’d start with a google search for whatever levels are recommended for fish.

Athlete’s foot cream works great for shell infections on tortoises but I’ve personally not had great results using it in aquatic turtles.

 

[eugene91]

Never seen a fungal infection present like this, but can’t rule it out either.

One thing that you could plausibly attempt is to dissolve medication in the water it’s living in:

- Acriflavine is effective for fungal infections
- Enrofloxacin or possibly doxycycline for bacterial infections

I don’t know what dosages to attempt off hand but I’d start with a google search for whatever levels are recommended for fish.

Athlete’s foot cream works great for shell infections on tortoises but I’ve personally not had great results using it in aquatic turtles.

Thank you so much for this information. Wi definitely try it out. And see if it helps.