Turtle Help- Shell rot?

Ok, so we have a 10 year old male eastern painted turtle named Yurdle. He has been living in a 20 gallon for most of his life, with no decor but a turtle dock that would sink beneath him when he got on it- he never got a chance to get completely dry until almost a year ago. I am not sure what shell rot looks like, but I'm willing to bet he has it to some degree.

I currently have him in a 20gal long with a UVB bulb, a 30gal filter, and a place were he can get dry. He gets mainly pellets, some dried small shrimp, some freeze dried larger shrimp, feeder fish on occasion (rosy reds, or as my work calls them "tuffies" ) and calcium powder covered crickets weekly in hopes to help with his shell. I clean his water 40-50% weekly (usually). I'd love some input on what else to do for this guy, money is not a problem as I am willing to invest quite a bit in this little guy. Here are some photos. (the flash made the water look green for some reaosn D: )

The set up:



Yurdle:

Whoops- forgot to mention something. Since he has had an area to get out of the water and dry off, I've noticed that he had 3-4 layers of retained scutes. Should I help him shed them? I picked at it a little but never forced anything off.

Looks to me like he just has built up skin, but I would keep an eye on him just to be safe. Maybe a full water change and increased heat too.

Well, he's had a few 100% water changes since I renovated the tank last month-ish. Do you think I should do them more often? And his sides is what worry me most, the shell doesn't connect, there is a fleshy area in between. Is that normal?

That is a bad shell and honestly I would take him to a vet. They normally give you a betadine solution to put on the shell but sometimes the shell my need to be drilled if it is too rotted. He looks like he hasn't been able to shed his scutes properly, due to lack of heat and UV light. His basking light is too far away, it needs to be closer so the temp is about 90F. You also need a fluorescent tube UV light, I use Zoo Med Repti Sun 10.0. I would also recommend getting a larger tank, it is recommended that they have at the least 10 gallons of water per inch of shell and get an external canister filter instead.

As far as food pellets like reptomin and mazuri are fine but they need fresh veggies too so try getting him to eat more greens (no lettuces, collards, mustard, kale are good), and veggies (hard squash, carrots).

VickyChaiTea said:

Well, he's had a few 100% water changes since I renovated the tank last month-ish. Do you think I should do them more often? And his sides is what worry me most, the shell doesn't connect, there is a fleshy area in between. Is that normal?

Click to expand...

With the filter you are using I would probably do a 100% water change every week two at the most. Those filters don't work well for turltes.

You are right is shell is a bit deformed and does have shell rot.

All of my turtles are rescues and have had shell rot it is fixable but takes time and care.

Yeah, another forum recommended a fluorescent tube light, I will get one for sure now. A larger tank is also doable... been eying a 75gal, actually. I HAVE been considering a vet trip... but I wasn't sure until now. I will have to talk to my boyfriend about expenses, but I'll try my hardest to get him to a vet.

And as far as filters go, a new one is on my list of things I need.

Thank you so much for the advice, guys!

VickyChaiTea said:

Yeah, another forum recommended a fluorescent tube light, I will get one for sure now. A larger tank is also doable... been eying a 75gal, actually. I HAVE been considering a vet trip... but I wasn't sure until now. I will have to talk to my boyfriend about expenses, but I'll try my hardest to get him to a vet.

And as far as filters go, a new one is on my list of things I need.

Thank you so much for the advice, guys!

Click to expand...

I also forgot to mention that the vet might but him on antibiotic shots in addition to the solution for the shell.

Good luck with him I hope he heals up well.

Thanks, iguanagirl. I really appreciate the advice.

Looking into a 75gal right now, getting a good deal from a friend at work. I just have to save up the money.

A little update, I added a 10gal filter to his tank, so now he has a 40gal and 10gal filter on there, also made a baffle for them because they were very loud.

I am getting the 75gal this or next weekend, comes with the stand, tank, hood, and a light. I'll be getting either a UVB strip light or an MVB one, if I can even find one. Also getting a Fluval 405 to filter it. After that, vet trip.

I am currently trying to get him to eat his veggies, giving him romaine lettuce and itty bitty carrot chunks, he ate the carrots but has yet to touch the lettuce.

GOT THE NEW TAAAAAAAANK! Filter won't be in until some time next week, then after that, vet triiiiip! I am so pleased. <3 And for the life of me I can't figure out why the photo made the water look so dirty, I was set up literally an hour before I took them. D:





Doesn't it look pathetic right now? It'll get fixed up soon, with a strip UVB light, basking light, thermometer (coming in like tomorrow), and more decor. Plus a higher water level.

It's so big it took me a minute to find the turtle!