Shell damage should I be worried?
 

Hi all,

So I've noticed that Mrs S has some damage to the exterior of her shell, it seems like the shell has been chipped. I can't think how this has happened except maybe if she'd scraped against the rocks in her enclosure. Is this anything serious? Will the shell grow back? Should I see a vet?

http://imgur.com/a/WKZ5J

She is eating and acting as normal, doesn't seem like she's phases by it at all, still i,'m a little anxious as to what has caused it.

Many thanks
Charles

Hello Charles
I am responding so that your thread appears again and one of the more experienced members can assist.

Hi Jan,

Thanks for your help.

morning Charles, It is quite a chip isn't it. You may get a different steer on here but personally I would get it checked over by a vet. They can have natural scrapes of course but just in case it is a bacterial infection or fungus as the picture doesn't show that but you never know. I would put some iodine on it to secure the site and or savlon meanwhile if not got any iodine (spray?) Amazon do it as i've found recently chemists don't seem to be stocking it...if its bacterial /fungal it can spread that's why I suggest vets but someone more experienced might say noooo ! its a chip from a scrape and iodine will do fine. As a precautionary measure I would weigh her and just make sure she doesn't lose weight as that can be an ill health indicator.

Just as an aside if you choose message board IMG on your IMUGR account and copy and paste it the actual picture comes up rather than the link....CB

Thanks for the help,

Personally I would like to take her to a vet, mostly cause I'm a worrier and would like a professional to ensure it'll be alright. How should I prepare this iodine solution? I presume it needs diluting? I'll do that for now and wait to see if another member has any experience and guidance to follow.

Charles

it does if in bottle and should be instructions on the bottle but if spray then just spray over cleansed dry area to ensure no bugs get in. (I think she has probably kept scuffing it going under rocks etc if you can think of whats out in the garden? good luck.

Well, just took her to the reptile specialist at the pet shop, I've been advised to take her to the vets so I'll be doing that ASAP. Thanks for the help all.

Personally I think its fine. Is there any smell or discharge? I would get some hibiscrub (on line or a small bottle from boots around £5) & a soft brush (babies hair or toothbrush) & gently clean the area daily.

Obviously if it starts to smell, weep or look nasty get her straight to a specialist vet :)

It looks fine to me all its done is rubbed it off digging under a rock or something which is why I don't have rocks in my pens now because a couple of years ago I had one do exactly the same.
As said above by Lynn I just bathed mine with hibiscrub and it's fine.
The shell probably won't grow back and I have also carefully trimmed off any loose bits of shell to stop it getting caught on anything and making it worce.

Thanks for the replies.

It does seem to have sealed itself nicely, no discharge or smell. I still feel like taking her to a vet, better safe than sorry. Do you think I should removed the rocks in her pen? It just surprises since in the wild they tend to burrow and surely come across rocks....

Thanks
Charles