Weird skin shedding with white skin underneath

[želva]

Today it seems to be a very colourful day. First we got nose bleeding with one sulcata and then this sort of weird looking shed skin.
It's in largish piece and skin underneath is white. Also on shed skin are white spots.
Anyone has happened this before ?
I know torts shed skin, but what is confusing here is white skin underneath.

 

[StarSapphire22]

Am I seeing some blood in the pictures of the leg? That would indicate to me that this is not normal shedding. I'm not an expert by any means, but that jumps out at me more than the color.

 

[želva]

That was inflicted by us, not intentional, but when hubby was looking at what it was it accidentally pulled it off.

 

[ascott]

Soak soak and hydrate this tort....also, how is the tort housed?

 

[želva]

He is soaked at least once a week, but he doesn't really like to drink much when you offer him water. During day he is outside, hosed with water at least two or three times. During night he is in his inside pen. It's wooden, and it has wood bits as substrate, similar than shavings.
We want to get some mulch for him, but didn't find anything suitable in store last time.
I know that everyone recommends cypress mulch or orchid bark, but is there anything i need to pay attention to when choosing which to use. I know it's need to be fertilizer free, anything else?

 

[Maggie Cummings]

No pine or cedar. Does he have humidity in his enclosure? UVB lights etc.? Is does he have a basking spot of 90 to 100 degrees? I realize if he's outside he doesn't need UVB light, but does he have a hot basking light inside? He doesn't look very big, under about 3 years I soak at least 3-4 times a week whether he likes it or not.

 

[želva]

He is 50cm (19''), about 12 years old according to cites and 18 kg (40 pounds). Not really since it's open. Yes he have, one for day and ceramic one for night. But he isn't inside during day, and next week it will probably get hot enough for him to stay outside during night. He doesn't mind soaking, he just doesn't drink much. Like Nala, she drinks everyday from dish, he doesn't.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

He is 50cm (19''), about 12 years old according to cites and 18 kg (40 pounds). Not really since it's open. Yes he have, one for day and ceramic one for night. But he isn't inside during day, and next week it will probably get hot enough for him to stay outside during night. He doesn't mind soaking, he just doesn't drink much. Like Nala, she drinks everyday from dish, he doesn't.

Sorry, he didn't look that big in the picture...I told you about these old crappy eyes...

 

[želva]

No problem, . I uploaded more photos in media section. He's so charming and coming form Italy it was only logical he should be named Romeo.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Those photos enlarged for me...I'm just not sure, but my first response was to say he's kept too dry. Is Slovenia humid as well as beautiful?
And thanks for putting those photos under Media, I have belonged to this forum for years and have never looked there. I think I will have to post some of my animals there tomorrow...Time for bed, I'm thinking...

 

[želva]

I found that average relative humidity here is about 70%, for last three years. So i would guess it not really dry. I think we would try with more soaking, maybe put a tub with water in enclosure. I was more worried about white skin underneath, but if this is normal then okay.
Also will try to find something more appropriate for his inside pen.
Thank you for your advice. I'm so happy to be here

 

[Maggie Cummings]

I found that average relative humidity here is about 70%, for last three years. So i would guess it not really dry. I think we would try with more soaking, maybe put a tub with water in enclosure. I was more worried about white skin underneath, but if this is normal then okay.
Also will try to find something more appropriate for his inside pen.
Thank you for your advice. I'm so happy to be here

You'd have to figure the skin underneath would be white because it's new...I am glad you have joined as well. We always need Sulcata keepers, especially with Sulcata that look smooth and good like yours...

 

[želva]

Well now that i'm thinking about it makes sense, but with everything happening yesterday we just panicked a bit too much i guess

 

[želva]

We started bathing him more often, also get water dish, but couldn't get suitable tub for his enclosure yet. Now he had another patch came off on other side, but with sort of gel under. I attached a photo. Now I don't think this is quiet normal is it ?

 

[Yvonne G]

Sorry, but I just don't think that's a normal shed. In my experience, the shedding has occurred around the head and neck, never on the upper legs. If this were my tortoise, I'd rub in some Neosporin (Triple antibiotic ointment). It would act as a healing agent, plus its a bit greasy, so it would help lubricate.

 

[želva]

I did put on antibiotic ointment. I usually do this when it's skin problem, if it won't get better in few days we will take him to vet.
I though it's not normal, i know they shed, but never seen them shed in patches.

Thank you for your response. I'm sort of bummed, we had him for almost two years with no problem, but the moment i made account here we had one problem after another . Bad timing i guess.

 

[želva]

Okay news. Hubby take him to more local vet yesterday, which isn't specialized in tortoises, but it's around the corner. And they swab it and ran analysis, it's fungus. Got ointment and treating it, so we hope it would get better soon

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm so glad you were able to find out what was wrong. And hooray for that vet!!

 

[želva]

They have new vet that own two or three greeks. And it's great to have one that is close to you for emergencies. For annual checkups and more problematic cases we will still go to other vet who is one hour drive away, but he is specialized in reptiles and exotic animals. Also he owns few sullies and some others, so he is always happy to see us and our tort family

 

[želva]

Well few days after that it didn't look like it's getting better so we take him to specialist. It was actually bacterial. I'm really glad we took him there. Because i doubt he will be with us now if we wouldn't. He gave him antibiotic shoots clean the wound and everything and now it looks much better. We were at vet on wednesday and he is really happy with progress. Now we only need to clean it once a week.
He also think that his epidermis (?) is pretty weak as he has quiet some scratches. So we got sulphur supplement, that is supposed to help with this.