Treating Shell Rot

Here's Stinky Winky, the red ear slider turtle I didn't want, and the steps for treating his shell rot.

First, he gets a half hour bath in 88 degree water. This is when he can eat and drink and poop. He gets floating pellets and some small pieces of greens too. 

Second, I dry him off really good- especially his shell rot holes. 

Third, I use a Q-tip and swab his shell rot out with a Chlorohexedine rinse. You can buy Chlorohexedine at farm supply stores  and online. It's a great antibacterial cleaner and I use it a lot. 

I put drips of cleaner in the holes and then let them set for a few minutes. Then I use the Q-tip to scrub them out so the Chlorohexedine gets into all the cracks and crevices. 

Fourth, I take a dry Q-tip and dry out all the cleaner. 

Fifth, I fill each hole with a thin layer of 

Silvadene cream which is an antibacterial cream I get from my vet. It's great stuff! 

Sixth, Stinky Winky goes back in his sick box. Until he gets over the shell rot, his water time is limited to once a day. 

Stinky Winky, rescue 119

When I started reptile rescue, I had a list of reptiles I did NOT want to rescue.

And so far, I've rescued all of them. 

Sigh 

In fact, the more I say "I don't want to rescue them," the more likely I am to get one. 

Thus the 9 (?) iguanas. 

Today I brought home a red earred slider turtle. The one turtle in the whole world that I don't like and don't want. Yep, it's at my house. I join the ranks of the dozens of rescues who are overwhelmed with these stinky guys. 

lucky me. :/ 

This little guy sounded really bad, like he needed to be put down. He had shell rot into his belly. 

Well, his shell rot isn't that bad. Bad but treatable. So he's at my house.

There is no longer a list of what I will not take seeing as how it didn't matter anyways. ;) I'll just try to practice saying "No."