- This topic has 1 reply, 1 voice, and was last updated 21 years, 9 months ago by
Tony and Judy Simmons.
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Melinda <l8or_g8or@yahoo.com>
Shell rot can be sucessfully treated at home. Move your turtle to a dry tank. I put a heating pad under one end on low, so Cecil could move if he got too warm. Give your turtle 3 to 4 soaks a day for 1/2 hour each, at this time you can feed him. I put a dark towel around the bottom of the tank, so it “appeared” to be a wall, and it stopped him from trying to escape. Your turtle will also sleep in this dry tank. Air is the biggest enemy to shell rot. You will need to check on your turtle often, if he flips on his back he may not be able to right himself. Nolvasan is the best product to use, if it isn’t available you can use Betadine. I did notice however, that it healed quicker when I started using the Nolvasan. I couldn’t find Nolvasan at any local stores, I had to order it via the internet. After your turtle soaks, scrub it gently with an old toothbrush dipped in Nolvasan, rince it off. Using a blunt tool, gently scrape the white shell rot, then apply Polysporin which can be bought at the drug store over the counter. It may go by another name, just check the ingredients – mine was “offbrand” and much cheaper. It’s located in the “cut & scrape” area! Here is a picture of Cecil when I rescued him and while treating him: http://www.angelfire.com/emo/joe_mama/turtle.html A link to Nolvasan: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm? siteid=6&pCatId=3545 A good article about shell rot: http://forum.kingsnake.com/turtle/messages/14963.html
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Hibiclens is readily available at most pharmacies. We recently saw it at a Petsmart that had a horse section for cheaper than anywhere else. It is in the same chlorhexadine family as Nolvasan. It is also very effective with shell rot. We use it very frequently. One of the goals of The Turtle Ranch rescue is to learn inexpensive and effective ways for treating common illnesses that the average keeper will encounter. The goal here is to reach the keepers who would otherwise do nothing to improve the health of their pet. Let’s face it: there are folks with turtles out there who can’t afford to take them to the vet who don’t want to give them up. We want to give them alternatives to letting the animal suffer. We will drive to pick up red eared sliders. We will also pay for the shipping for folks to send surrendered turtles and tortoises to us when there is no fear of them freezing to death. As always, Tony — “Melinda
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