Turtle Shell Problem

[Striker]

Hi all

I just found this site and am requiring assistance with a long standing problem I have had with my Kreffts turtles shell (please see pictures). The turtle is 14 months old.
It appears to be shell rot but I can't seem to make any progress in a recovery. I had another turtle with the same problem which did not recover and it eventually died (died about 6 months ago, the two were purchased together). In my attempts to help the first turtle I did the following:

I took the turtle to a vet specialising in reptiles several times and followed all of their advice. The steps I took to resolve the problems consisted of:

The turtle had daily chlorhexidine baths
Was given about 5 hours of dry time a day
A larger tank (5 foot) was purchased
An external cannister filter was put in.
Regular 30% water changes (weekly) are carried out. Water temp is set to 24 degrees celcius.
The turtle has a UV light (Repti-glo) and it has been replaced recently.
There is a basking area and basking light
The turtle gets regular sunlight (20 - 30 minutes at a time)
A change of diet to predominantly white bait and plants to provide more calcium.

I have followed every instruction I was given by the vet and one turtle died. Now my other turtle appears to be headed down a similar path despite the treatment I have been advised to provide and I am seeking assistance from anyone who may have any ideas.

Please let me also make it clear that the intention of this posting is not to discredit the vet, but simply to obtain more assistance or a second opinion. The vet taught us a lot of things we didn't know about looking after turtles, however I'm just not making progress with this problem despite the vets assistance.

I would appreciate any help anyone can give me

thanks

[Duke_jensen]

what water conditioner are you using?

[Striker]

water conditioner is "Aqua Star"
Neutralises 5ppm chlorine, 2ppm chloramine, 1ppm ammonia

[Duke_jensen]

If you can get some rain water, try using that, may help with the amount of chemicals in the water these days and turtles do get burnt from some water. If rain water is totally out of the question, try a different conditioner there are spicific turtle one's out there, I'm not familular with that one so I can't comment on it.

[Striker]

Does anyone else have any ideas or suggestions? Even just another place to seek help? I notice a lot of people have read this posting but I have only received one response. Please help. I really don't want this one to die as well.

[1dragonett]

sorry about your situation, striker. No real help here, but just wanted to let you know that it sounds like you're doing all the right things.
Something I might add though, when my turtles got really sick, we actually took them out of water entirely, and they only had one hour or so a day in fresh water to re-hydrate and eat/etc. It took about 4-6 months of daily attention, but we got it all cleared up eventually. Keep in mind that turtles that weren't raised properly, or had a history of illness as hatchlings will always suffer from health issues, and will be quick to become ill.
Also try Australian Freshwater Turtles and Frogs. Yahoo group. Go to yahoo, and search for AustralianFreshwaterTurtlesandFrogs, and post there. they are fab!!!

Good luck

[olivehydra]

I would put it into dry dock and only put it into water for about an hour per day to eat and drink. Maintain chlorhex treatment.

[xander]

Have you tried using a bit of sea salt in the water?Silversene ointment is good for shell rot/infections.

[-Peter]

what ph is the water, doesnt look like shell rot as such.
The areas look like they are burnt.
Whitebait is high in salt so a diet intense in it is not going to be beneficial in the long run.
join here and get more info
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/A...rtlesandFrogs/

[markars]

try to pm expansa1 on this web site he is the resident turtle god! he may be able to help you or if you are in sydney take the turtle to see the guru of turtle John Cann. good luck!

[Striker]

The water pH is maintained at neutral. Any variation is always slightly alkalytic. The white bait was advised by the vet. As a result of a lack of improvement in the turtles condition I am currently in the process of changing his diet to a much wider variety. (Have been researching this)

Thanks heaps for your help everyone. I will check out those forums and John Cann. Do you have any idea how to make contact? I just did googled him and no contact details directly related to him came up. I will track him down but if you have an easy way it would be appreciated.

Thanks again guys. I really appreciate the assistance.

[markars]

if you are in Sydney he is the "La Perouse snake man" he does snake shws in a place called Cann park at La Perouse most sundays from about 2 pm til 4- 4 30. He is very approachable and will generally help youout if you approach him as he is packing up. I just checked and he will be doing shows tomoro. Take your turtle( if he is well enough) as these things need to be looked at.

[Striker]

Hi all.

Thought I'd post the update in case anyone else ever comes across a similar problem. I contacted John Cann, who referred me to a vet (Terri Bellamy).

She took a sample of the shell and checked it, and discovered two different types of bacteria. The turtle is now receiving injections of two different types of antibiotics, having 23 hours dry time a day and having the iodine applied to the shell.

So it's looking good so far. Will post another photo here following treatment when it is all sorted out.

Thanks again for the advice.