(New) Dent in shell...

RacingSnake · 07-08-2012, 07:00 PM

Afternoon guys,
Just bathed the torts for today, and spotted something I've not noticed before on the shell of Fiorano.
There is a clear 'dent' in one of the scutes on her 'rear-offside' quarter.

If I were to describe actually what I'd thought... I'd say it looks like a bite.

There are no marks elsewhere, and it does look like there might be a hairline crack? but this may well just be the natural markings.

No change in behaviour, seems fine, eating pooing everything totally normal.
The house is fully enclosed, and the run has wire mesh over it.
Doesn't look like anything could have fallen onto her, but they do have the habit of wedging themselves into corners where I have rocks or bricks etc

In terms of scale, she is approx 100mm long and 200g now.

Any immediate thoughts?

Some pics below (she was still in the bath when I took these!):

EJ · 07-08-2012, 07:21 PM

Calcium... not enough. That point is roughly where the pelvis attaches to the carapace. If there is not enough calcium the carapace gets pulled in by the pelvis at that point.

**Bindi** · 07-08-2012, 07:25 PM

Very interesting, I've seen the odd tort or two with this

EJ · 07-08-2012, 07:29 PM

If you get a chance to look at an empty shell... look inside at the attach points. Many tortoises with mbd have this dent. NOTE TO THE OP... this does not mean your tortoise has MBD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bindi

Very interesting, I've seen the odd tort or two with this

RacingSnake · 07-08-2012, 07:49 PM

Ah man

So then, how on earth do I up calcium intake?

They've got a pot of limestone flour, cuttlefish, and I sprinkle their food with nutrobal and calci-dust on alternate days, as well as their UV bulb in the house.

Is this reversible? or is this now damaged for life?

EJ · 07-08-2012, 08:07 PM

Calcium carbonate and UVB is the best way and Calcium carbonate with D3.

Try sprinkling the CC on the food at every feeding. It's not a very big deal because the tortoise does look good and the dent is minor. It could also be a past thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingSnake

Ah man

So then, how on earth do I up calcium intake?

They've got a pot of limestone flour, cuttlefish, and I sprinkle their food with nutrobal and calci-dust on alternate days, as well as their UV bulb in the house.

Is this reversible? or is this now damaged for life?

RacingSnake · 07-08-2012, 08:09 PM

Ok, Thanks Ed.

Would it be worth getting some zolcal for their water?

EJ · 07-08-2012, 08:13 PM

In the US they have a product called citracal... it is calcium citrate which is water soluable. It is a calcium supplement for people. Google it and see if it is available in the UK or if there is a similar product.

Key words... Calcium citrate... calcium supplement... osteoporosis...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingSnake

Ok, Thanks Ed.

Would it be worth getting some zolcal for their water?

RacingSnake · 07-08-2012, 08:21 PM

A quick google tells me they have it in costco

I'll head over there tomorrow.

Thanks again

EJ · 07-08-2012, 08:24 PM

Excellent. That is the stuff they give when they want to get calcium into the system efficiently.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacingSnake

A quick google tells me they have it in costco

I'll head over there tomorrow.

Thanks again

07-08-2012, 07:00 PM	#1
RacingSnake Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Reading Posts: 582	(New) Dent in shell... Afternoon guys, Just bathed the torts for today, and spotted something I've not noticed before on the shell of Fiorano. There is a clear 'dent' in one of the scutes on her 'rear-offside' quarter. If I were to describe actually what I'd thought... I'd say it looks like a bite. There are no marks elsewhere, and it does look like there might be a hairline crack? but this may well just be the natural markings. No change in behaviour, seems fine, eating pooing everything totally normal. The house is fully enclosed, and the run has wire mesh over it. Doesn't look like anything could have fallen onto her, but they do have the habit of wedging themselves into corners where I have rocks or bricks etc In terms of scale, she is approx 100mm long and 200g now. Any immediate thoughts? Some pics below (she was still in the bath when I took these!): __________________ Code: .~~~. _ .~~~. _ ./____/'_) ./____/'_) {_}-{_} {_}-{_}

07-08-2012, 07:21 PM	#2
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	Calcium... not enough. That point is roughly where the pelvis attaches to the carapace. If there is not enough calcium the carapace gets pulled in by the pelvis at that point. __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

07-08-2012, 07:25 PM	#3
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	Very interesting, I've seen the odd tort or two with this __________________

07-08-2012, 07:49 PM	#5
RacingSnake Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Reading Posts: 582	Ah man So then, how on earth do I up calcium intake? They've got a pot of limestone flour, cuttlefish, and I sprinkle their food with nutrobal and calci-dust on alternate days, as well as their UV bulb in the house. Is this reversible? or is this now damaged for life? __________________ Code: .~~~. _ .~~~. _ ./____/'_) ./____/'_) {_}-{_} {_}-{_}

07-08-2012, 08:09 PM	#7
RacingSnake Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Reading Posts: 582	Ok, Thanks Ed. Would it be worth getting some zolcal for their water? __________________ Code: .~~~. _ .~~~. _ ./____/'_) ./____/'_) {_}-{_} {_}-{_}

07-08-2012, 08:21 PM	#9
RacingSnake Member Hatchling Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Reading Posts: 582	A quick google tells me they have it in costco I'll head over there tomorrow. Thanks again __________________ Code: .~~~. _ .~~~. _ ./____/'_) ./____/'_) {_}-{_} {_}-{_}

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)