Health Question: Suspected Shell Rot on Slider Turtle (Captive Rehome, ~6yo). Husbandry details included.
Hi everyone. I need some advice regarding my turtle's shell. I recently adopted/rehomed her from a previous owner who was not providing proper care, and I strongly suspect she has Shell Rot.
To follow the sub's guidelines, here are her complete husbandry details:
- Species: Slider Turtle (looks like a D'Orbigny's or Red-Eared Slider).
- Origin: Captive rehome / Adopted from a previous owner (NOT wild-caught).
- Age & Size: Approximately 6 years old.
- Enclosure Size: Currently in a 45L (approx. 12 gallons) tank. I know this is small; it is a temporary setup while I upgrade her to a proper size after taking her in.
- Water & Temp: Heated by a thermostat (kept around 78°F / 26°C). I do frequent water changes to keep the water quality pristine.
- Filter: Yes, running constantly.
- Lighting & UV Bulbs: None currently. The previous owner kept her without any UV light for years. I am purchasing a proper UVB bulb and a heat bulb ASAP.
- Diet: Commercial pellets 3x a week (head-sized portion), Gammarus 1x a week, and fish occasionally.
- Overall Health: Aside from the shell, she eats well, is active, has clear eyes, and shows no signs of respiratory issues (no wheezing or mucus).
The Issue: Looking closely at her carapace (see the zoomed-in photos), there are rough, pitted lesions and craters. The keratin is eroding in white/grayish patches.
I am currently searching for an exotic vet in my area. As first aid, I have started strict dry docking (warm and dry environment for 22-23 hours a day, water only for feeding/hydrating) and gently cleaning the lesions with diluted chlorhexidine.
Does anyone have experience with shell lesions that look exactly like this? Any additional first-aid advice before her vet appointment?
Thank you! (Photos of the shell, face, limbs, setup, and food are attached).