pink plastron

shelmarie · 08-07-2015, 09:25 PM

Hi everyone

It's been a while since I've posted on here as ive been run off my feet with my little boy.

I've noticed over the last few months the plastron on both my torts has a pinkish tinge. I've read it could be septisemia, they appear to be fit and well and are both eating fine pooping ect.

Opinions welcome

Merlin M · 09-07-2015, 06:45 AM

Do you ever feed the Komodo tortoise food? The red ones in that did stain the shells of mine...

Does he have rocks or something he could bash himself on?

Thinking if its both and for a few months septicaemia is less likely as it can progress very quickly. If unsure though best see a vet

Ozric Jonathan · 09-07-2015, 12:07 PM

Always hard to say from photos but yes it might be septicaemia. I agree with Merlin though that you would expect to see the tortoise not being well if they had septicaemia for months.

Sorry if this isn't helping much!

One of mine did have septicaemia and quite quickly the tortoise became very quiet and stopped eating. He made full recovery after treatment though.

Since it's a serious condition, I think if it was me I would go to the vet.

sandy · 09-07-2015, 12:31 PM

I think this is pink because of faster growth.
Septicaemia tends to be in one largish place, and when gently pressed will show more clearly.
But we are only experienced keepers not vets.
So if you are not happy, or your tortoise changes their habits then get him checked by a tortoise vet.

burnt toast · 09-07-2015, 01:55 PM

I cant see it very clearly on my screen but I tend to find lighter plastroned torts tend to show up pink a lot more than darker ones. (I find Margies to be terrors for this & have even seen mine flush pink from stress, my male does it at the vets who he hates!

If its confined to the "growth lines" it can be from growth or hormones.

They can also have pink marks from a bump & it can be caused by a lack of calcium/supplements.

Sceptacemia or indeed an infection tends to show up as a certain spot of deep pink/red or diffuse mottling. (I have heard people say it doesn't blanch when pressed but not sure if this applies to torts the same as humans!) Its usually caused by an organ failure, blockage or eggs.

I am not being much help really but don't feel it would be sceptacemia if present in both torts & they seem happy & active.

yuna1971 · 10-07-2015, 11:03 AM

I wouldn't waste time and get them both checked out, Shells. xx

Hope all is well.

08-07-2015, 09:25 PM	#1
shelmarie Member Hatchling Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: pontefract, west yorkshire Posts: 506	pink plastron Hi everyone It's been a while since I've posted on here as ive been run off my feet with my little boy. I've noticed over the last few months the plastron on both my torts has a pinkish tinge. I've read it could be septisemia, they appear to be fit and well and are both eating fine pooping ect. Opinions welcome __________________

09-07-2015, 06:45 AM	#2
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	Do you ever feed the Komodo tortoise food? The red ones in that did stain the shells of mine... Does he have rocks or something he could bash himself on? Thinking if its both and for a few months septicaemia is less likely as it can progress very quickly. If unsure though best see a vet __________________ 1:1:1 Horsfields (Misha, Amber and Teabag) 1:0:0 Dog: Rocco, Rottweiler cross 1 husband (Russ)

09-07-2015, 12:07 PM	#3
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	Always hard to say from photos but yes it might be septicaemia. I agree with Merlin though that you would expect to see the tortoise not being well if they had septicaemia for months. Sorry if this isn't helping much! One of mine did have septicaemia and quite quickly the tortoise became very quiet and stopped eating. He made full recovery after treatment though. Since it's a serious condition, I think if it was me I would go to the vet. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

09-07-2015, 12:31 PM	#4
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	I think this is pink because of faster growth. Septicaemia tends to be in one largish place, and when gently pressed will show more clearly. But we are only experienced keepers not vets. So if you are not happy, or your tortoise changes their habits then get him checked by a tortoise vet. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

10-07-2015, 11:03 AM	#6
yuna1971 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 7,157	I wouldn't waste time and get them both checked out, Shells. xx Hope all is well. __________________ Rach Lily's Movie. http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=68025

09-07-2015, 01:55 PM	#5
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,246	I cant see it very clearly on my screen but I tend to find lighter plastroned torts tend to show up pink a lot more than darker ones. (I find Margies to be terrors for this & have even seen mine flush pink from stress, my male does it at the vets who he hates! If its confined to the "growth lines" it can be from growth or hormones. They can also have pink marks from a bump & it can be caused by a lack of calcium/supplements. Sceptacemia or indeed an infection tends to show up as a certain spot of deep pink/red or diffuse mottling. (I have heard people say it doesn't blanch when pressed but not sure if this applies to torts the same as humans!) Its usually caused by an organ failure, blockage or eggs. I am not being much help really but don't feel it would be sceptacemia if present in both torts & they seem happy & active.

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