Re: fungus?

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Posted by crittercrazy on November 30, 2002 at 13:24:48:

In Reply to: fungus? posted by rhianna11689 on November 30, 2002 at 13:11:17:

Hi :)
Fungus is usually caused by dirty or stagnant water, and/or the turtle being allowed to soak too much. It's very common in captive turtles. Some types can be treated by soaking in Betadine (I'm sure iodine would be safe too) and letting the turtle dry out for a few hours each day in a separate tank, with no water. Does Cecil have a nice spot where he can get out of the pool and totally dry off in his cage?

I would *strongly* recommened a vet visit for this guy. Not only for the fungus, but also because the majority of wild caught reptiles have parasites that can kill them. So it would be good to have a fecal sample done on him, too.

Some funguses require antibiotic treatment, as well as topical cures, so once again a vet visit would be important in getting him well. :)

I'm a little confused about the lighting you have... the basking light (the one that gives off heat) probably isn't full-spectrum. Which is fine, as long as you now have a fluorescent that is. The small round bulbs are essential, but they don't give off the UVB that turtle's need. They just provide heat for the basking spot. Be sure that you always have a good reptile fluorescent over the cage so he can properly absorb his calcium. :)

Good luck!!

:Hi,
:I am new to this forum and I had a question about possible fungus.
:I have a painted turtle about 4 months old. I found him the day he was born.

:A few weeks ago he was shedding and after reading some messages in the slider forum
:I realized I must of been over feeding Cecil. I was feeding him Reptomin every other day.

:I quickly cut back on his food, now only giving him the Reptomin twice
:a week and tried giving him romain lettuce which he doesn't really like. Keep trying
:anyway.

:His shedding stopped right away, but the more I look at him I think
:his legs might have fungus. I read somewhere I can bathe him in a
:solution of iodine? How much water do I add to the iodine? How long
:do I do this for? How do I prevent this from happening again?

:I keep him in a 20 gallon long tank. I have a submerisible fluval
:filter and yesterday I just added an undergravel filter.

:I do frequent water changes, usually once a week or every other week.

:He has a basking light (full spectrum) and I just bought a strip
:light. (don't remember the name, but it said full spectrum as well.

:If he doesn't have a fungus is it still safe to use the iodine?

:I would appreciate any suggestions. I've never had a turtle before.
:Cecil just kind of landed on my doorstep.

:Thanx,

:Rhianna
:

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Re: fungus? K1LOS 12/06/02 (0)