New Russian tortoise has white spots & missing scales. Is this normal?

It doesn't appear to be anything to be concerned about, especially if he is behaving normally otherwise. It is possible he is rubbing that area against the rock in the enclosure as he moves about. Wipe it with a moist towel and monitor the area. Watch him to see if he is rubbing against anything in the enclosure. If so, adjust objects or remove them if necessary. Allow a 15-30 minute soak in water 2-3 times weekly to rehydrate and to cleanse.

This is a quite concerning sign and could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for reaching out about Toby and including photos. If is difficult to see the lesions in the photos but can you scratch them with a fingernail? Mineral deposits by hard waters can leave residues. Erosions of the shell's keratin can expose the underlying bone, possibly due to trauma, infection or other. If lesions progress, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess. Good luck.

Check environmental parameters first. Make sure the relative humidity level is correct. For Russians, it can range between 40% and 60%. Provide adequate UVB lighting. If the bulb is more than 6 months old, replace it. Provide a balanced diet including vitamin and mineral supplementation to promote shell health. Survey the enclosure and remove any sharp rocks or furniture. These can cause small scratches which can lead to infection. You can gently clean the shell using a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution once or twice daily. If there is no improvement in the shell condition after 5-7 days, consider an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can review tortoise care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Russian-Tortoise/ https://www.petcoach.co/amp/article/russian-tortoise-habitats-how-to-create

Thanks for reaching out about Amad and including photos. If showing signs of being that sick, disease process is advanced and a veterinary visit is recommended ASAP. Most emergency veterinary clinics are open today. Check, review and correct dietary and husbandry parameters, as these are essential for proper health and to help stimulate the immune system. By the photos, fruit and mushrooms, and some greens are not a very well rounded diet. Severe illness probably requires systemic antibiotics and some diagnostic testing. Check heat support as needs to be in the 85-90 F range for this species. 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.

It may have been urates as they can vary in consistency and color based on the diet. Monitor Tiny Tim for lethargy, decreased appetite or any change in droppings. If it persists or worsens, you should have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.