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I have a red ear slider turtle, dark green, who is getting a brown growth on his right front and right rear paws and under its neck. What do you think this is?
Age: >12; Breed: turtle Red Ear Slider Already Tried: i've tried nothing
Hello, Some additional information will help me to answer your question. Is the growth fuzzy? What temperatures do you maintain in the basking area and in the water? What types of light and heat sources do you use? Do you have a water filtration system? A photo would be helpful. If you can get one, you can upload it by clicking on the little green tree icon in the tool bar. Thank you. Anna
The growth doesn't appear to be fuzzy, it is getting bigger on the back paw and there is a spot on the neck and under the front paw.The water temp has been varying between 55 and 60 degrees. It is normally in an outdoor pond with two filters and gets natural light. It is currently is in a bathtub with two other sliders while the pond is being resurfaced. The growth was there before we put in the bathtub. If the turtle had been bite by another slider what would the wound look like? Here is a picture of the back paw.Thanks for your effortMsChase-Mod39903.0584116088
Thank you for getting back to me. When I click to enlarge the photo, it becomes very fuzzy. I can't really tell from the small photo what it is. A wound from another turtle could take on many different appearances, depending on whether it was a jagged tear, how deep it was, and whether it got infected. It doesn't seem likely that three separate wounds on different parts of the body would take on the same appearance. Because the growths are getting larger, an infection of some sort seems most probable. When the water temperature goes below the mid-70*s, turtles become prone to both bacterial and fungal infections. Algae can also grow on turtles, but it appears most often on the shell. Tumors are yet another possibility. I recommend that you take the turtle to a reptile vet. If you don't know of one, give me your city (nearest larger town if yours is a small one) and state, and I'll help you find one. A vet will be able to see the growths first-hand and identify them, run any needed tests, and reach a diagnosis, followed by proper treatment. If you prefer to try a home treatment before seeing a vet, a method called dry-docking would be the best approach. You'll need to prepare a 'hospital' for the turtle. A large plastic tote works well. It should be equipped with a basking area at 85* to 88*F, and a UVB light. The turtle will be kept warm and dry - you'll remove him from water except for a 30 minute bath twice a day. Feed during the bath. After each soak, clean the affected area with Nolvasan (available in pet stores) Do this twice a day. Follow that with a coating of anti-fungal cream (the kind sold for women to use to treat yeast infections). This treatment may help if there's a bacterial or fungal infection. If you don't see some improvement within a week, you'll need to have your turtle examined by a reptile vet. If the turtle loses his appetite or becomes lethargic at any point, you'll want to see a vet immediately. I do believe it would be best to see a vet right away, rather than trying a home treatment, but I know that many people prefer to try something at home first. If you have more questions, or want help finding a vet, just let me know by clicking on REPLY. I hope your turtle will quickly recover. Anna
Reptile Expert, Biologist
Have owned turtles, snakes, amphibians, and lizards. Study and provide habitat for wild herps.
Thank you for your reply! I live in Orange County Ca. if you could suggest a reptile vet it would be appreciated. I also have 2 dogs and two cats, but my vet doesn't do turtles.
I live in Santa Ana Ca. 92706.
Thanks again for your help
Chuck Flynn
XXX-XXX-XXXX
Here is a list for Orange County, Chuck. These are vets who are recommended for turtles by the California Turtle and Tortoise Club. Dr. BeXXXXX XXXXX, Tri-City Pet Hospital 1145 S. Placentia Ave., Fullerton, CA 92631 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Kechen Chang, DVM, Sea Gate Veterinary Hospital 16061 Bolsa Chica Rd, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Don Lundholm, DVM, Adams Pet Clinic 10130 Adams, Huntington Beach, CA 92646 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Donald R. Tyler, DVM, Beach City Animal Hospital XXXXX, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Dr. Gayle Roberts, Northwood Animal Hospital XXXXX #115, Irvine, CA 92620 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Dr. Eddie Song, South Coast Veterinary Hospital 30001 Town Center Dr. Ste. 5, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Scott Weldy, DVM, Serrano Animal & Bird Hospital 21771 Lake Forest Dr. #111, Lake Forest, CA 92630 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Andrea Glasser, DVM, VCA Rossmoor El Dorado Animal Hospital 10832 Los Alamitos Blvd., Los Alamitos, CA 90720 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Douglas L Coward, DVM, Animal & Bird Clinic of Mission Viejo XXXXX Mission Viejo, CA 92691 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Dr. BeXXXXX XXXXX, Orange Veterinary Hospital 1100 W. Chapman Ave., Orange, Ca 92868 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Matt Brady, DVM, Veterinary Housecalls 149 Ave Pelayo, San Clemente, CA 92672 (NNN) NNN-NNNN K. G. Kali, DVM, North Tustin Vet. Clinic 14081 S. Yorba, Suite 103, Tustin, CA 92680 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Tom Greek, MS, DVM, Greek & Associates Veterinary Hospital 23687 Via Del Rio, Yorba Linda CA 92887 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Tia Greenberg DVM, Westminster Veterinary Group XXXXX Westminster, CA 92683 (NNN) NNN-NNNN These are reptile vets: Rick Abrahams, DVM 306-F W. El Norte Parkway Escondido, CA (NNN) NNN-NNNN Avian & Exotic Animal Hospitals XXXXX, Ste. C Fountain Valley, CA (NNN) NNN-NNNN Wayne Kopit Brook-Ellis Pet Hospital XXXXX Fountain Valley CA 92708 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Bruce Levine Animal Medical Center XXXXX Ste A Fountain Valley 92708 (NNN) NNN-NNNN XXXXX XXXXX Avian & Exotic Animal Hospital XXXXXSouth, Suite C San Diego, CA 92108 (NNN) NNN-NNNN Thomas H. Boyer, DVM Editor, Bulletin of the ARAV Pet Hospital of Penasquitos 9888 Carmel Mtn. Rd., Suite F San Diego, CA, 92129 (NNN) NNN-NNNN(NNN) NNN-NNNN(fax) I hope one of these will work for you. If you need anything else, let me know. Anna