what might this be?

[Blakem]

It obviously looks like Ezek is starting to have something going on with his plastron. It does not smell, it is not leaking anything, it is not soft, and it does not seem to phase him when I feel it.

 

[slowpoke]

HHmmm got me , i would still take him to a vet just to make sure it isnt something bad like shell rot ... looks deep... wish you luck ..

 

[tortadise]

Could be a bacterial infection. Its always good to keep a good routine of changing out substrate. As well as give your tort a good scrub. I use chlorohexidine surgical scrub. Make sure to rinse off and keep away from head and eyes. Might need a vet check. Even though torts seem to not show signs of irritation with problems doesn't mean it's not major or minor.

 

[Blakem]

So, I probably should keep him out of the outside dirt?

 

[tortadise]

I would get him checked first to see what necessary measures you may or may not have to take. Could be just a minor conginital problem. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Blakem]

Okay, he has an appointment in one hour. I will let you gusy know what happens. Thank you in advanced.

 

[tortadise]

What's your diet that you feed. More importantly, how often do you use supplements and minerals and what kind do you use? Might just need to adjust calcium? Sometimes too much or too little can cause such problems since its not soft when touched. Calcitosis is my guess. Definitely take to a good reptile vet.

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*calcinosis* stupid I phone. Just my guess I'm no vet.Good luck and keep us updated

 

[Blakem]

Ezeks current diet is a mixture of things everyday. Today, he had red leaf, romaine, spring mix, and escarole. Yesterday, he had spring mix, with escarole (which is what it had been the past week or so). Sometimes, maybe 2-3 times a week, I will throw in red leaf and romaine because that is his favorite. Part of last week, he was eating endive, escarole, and spring mix. I give him calcium up to three times a week, which is sprinkled on top. His sunstrate is cocoa husk. He has a 100W MVB bulb that is on from 730am- 830pm.

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Ezeks current diet is a mixture of things everyday. Today, he had red leaf, romaine, spring mix, and escarole. Yesterday, he had spring mix, with escarole (which is what it had been the past week or so). Sometimes, maybe 2-3 times a week, I will throw in red leaf and romaine because that is his favorite. Part of last week, he was eating endive, escarole, and spring mix. I give him calcium up to three times a week, which is sprinkled on top. His sunstrate is cocoa husk. He has a 100W MVB bulb that is on from 730am- 830pm.

He also is soaked for around 10-15 minutes 3 times a week

 

[EricIvins]

That's old shell damage......It should be hard - It also looks like more is ready to start flaking off.......When the Keratin level dies, it may take a long while for it to actually flake off.......Dead Keratin is brown.........

 

[Blakem]

I just finished with the vet appointment. The vet told me that it is the start of shell rot.

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They gave me betadine solution to apply daily.

 

[slowpoke]

glad you cought it ... poor little guy

 

[Blakem]

Me too, other then that the vet said he is healthy and young. Could have been much worse!

 

[tortadise]

good thing. just a typical bacterial infection that was caught early on. super easy to correct.