Why is my red-eared slider's shell flaky and cloudy? Is it infected?

There are many different things that could be causing these symptoms. It is hard for me to say too much about it without a photo or examining him myself. 1. shell rot 2. fungal disease 3. shedding (normal or abnormal) 4. mineral deposits I suggest you take Flash to a reptile vet for an exam so you can get a diagnosis and the proper treatment. This article may answer more questions for you: http://redearslider.com/shell_conditions.html Best wishes.

Thanks for reaching out about Squirt and including a photo. The two most common causes of this are mineral accumulations with hard water and exposed bone. Mineral accumulations you should be able to scratch off with a fingernail. Water source might need to be changed to filtered water or commercially available spring water. Exposed bone is usually due to poor water quality (high bacterial or algal loads) that erode the keratin layer. Water changes need to be made more often, but a veterinary visit is recommended as systemic antibiotics might be required. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Shelly and including a photo. The white on the shell could be hard water deposits that are not really harmful, but a new water source needs to be used. The white can also be exposed bone, which lies underneath the keratin of the shell. This could be due to dietary deficiencies, poor water quality that can erode shell and other problems. Without knowing the cause, there is no home remedy that can be recommended. Diet needs to include whole prey (fish), pellets and offer some vegetables (although many will not eat them). Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Kelby and including photos. Can you gently scratch the white areas with your fingernail? Is so, probably mineral accumulations from the water and not a problem. If not, this could be keratin erosion from sub-standard water quality, infections, too cold of an environment. A veterinary visit would be recommended. Good luck.

I would be concerned about possible fungal infection. If you cannot make it to a vet I would recommend placing them in a dry environment three times a day for 20-30 minutes. You can buy iodine and dilute it a lot and apply small amount to the lesions. Also some pet stores have drops to place in water of tank to help with fungal growth.

Cracking can be due to infection, poor water quality or poor nutrition/lighting. Have Shelly examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose and treat any infection. Signs include pitting, bleeding or a very soft shell. Half the diet should be plant matter with one quarter made up of commercial sticks or pellets and one quarter animal protein. UVB lighting should be provided and water quality maintained. You can follow this link to an article about proper care and nutrition for sliders. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Turtles need more than a heat lamp for good health. Basic requirements include: clean water, a water heater, UVB light, basking platform, balanced diet and vitamins and minerals. Sunlight is good, however window panes and tank glass block most of the beneficial UVA/UVB rays that turtles need to synthesize Vitamin D3 and to properly utilize calcium. A good UVB bulb should be placed above the tank no more than 12-14 inches away from the basking area. It should not be blocked by glass, Plexiglass or fine mesh. The peeling and white spots may be due to poor water quality, poor diet, lack of UVB lighting or a combination of the three. Keep water clean via filtration and weekly partial water changes. Scoop out uneaten food daily. The filter should be rated for at least twice the volume of the tank since turtles can be very messy. You may be able to get Shelby to eat greens if you offer them about an hour or two after the heat lamp comes on in the morning. This will give her time to warm up. A cold reptile will not eat. Dice the greens and vegetables into manageable pieces. they should be dusted several times weekly with a calcium supplement and a multivitamin. Once she eats the greens, you can offer pellets and protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, crickets, raw beef heart, etc.). The spots can be gently scrubbed daily using a soft bristled brush and diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens). Allow for a 1-2 hour dry dock (out of the water) after each cleaning.If it doesn't improve or if Shelby becomes lethargic or stops eating, then have her examined by a your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Since most aquatic turtles are red eared sliders or yellow bellied sliders, I have included a link regarding care and keeping below. If you have a different species, post a new question with the species or request a consultation and we can discuss the case in greater detail. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html