The shell is one of the things that turtles and tortoises have that other animals don’t have, this body part is very important to these animals.
If there is something wrong with your pet’s shell then you’d understandably be worried and confused. This article looks at deformed turtle shells.
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Deformed turtle shell
The shell of a turtle not only protects the animal but it is also the animal’s home. This shell is made out of many fused bones and just as with any other fused bones these bones can become deformed.
Here is what you need to know if your turtle’s shell is deformed:
Metabolic bone disease:
Just as with any other living thing on this earth your pet’s health will largely be dependent on the animal’s diet.
If your pet’s diet is inadequate, and the reptile is not getting enough calcium or vitamin D, then the animal may develop a condition called metabolic bone disease.
This condition causes the animal’s bones, the animal’s shell included, to become soft and malformed.
This also causes the animal’s marginal scutes (the scutes at the edges of the shell) to pull upwards into a pyramid shape. It will also cause) the carapace to pull downward.
What to do:
If you think that your pet has this condition then it is advised that you have your pet seen by a vet, or better yet, by a reptile vet.
The vet will usually recommend a diet change to remedy your pet’s calcium imbalance. This will usually be done by giving the animal calcium supplements.
Your vet may also prescribe that you supplement vitamin D into your pet’s diet or allow it to synthesize vitamin D through ultraviolet light.
Avoid giving your pet supplements that contain too much phosphorous as these will make the situation worse.
It is especially important to have your pet seen by a vet. If your pet is not treated this condition may become fatal.
Pyramiding:
Pyramiding can happen as a side effect of metabolic bone disease, or, it could also develop if your reptile doesn’t have enough fiber in its diet or has too much protein in its diet.
This condition causes irregular growth of your pet’s scutes, your pet’s scutes will start to pyramid as the name of this condition suggests.
What to do:
Unfortunately, the pyramiding of your pet’s scutes cannot be undone but you can treat your pet’s diet issues
Reduce how much protein your pet eats and increase the fiber in your pet’s diet.
Renal failure:
Another reason why your pet’s shell may be deformed may be because the animal is suffering from renal failure. This can cause the animal’s shell to become very soft.
Your turtle’s body likes to keep an equilibrium of minerals in its body like a good balance of calcium and phosphorous in the body.
If your pet develops renal failure then the blood will start to develop higher levels of phosphorous.
The animal’s body will try to rectify this by removing some calcium out of the animals bones, the shell included, and send it into the bloodstream.
This loss of calcium will cause the animal’s shell to become soft.
What to do:
Taking your pet to the vet if you suspect that it has renal failure is recommended.
The vet will be able to examine and treat your pet once it is found that it is suffering from renal failure.
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other turtle/tortoise related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Why Is My Turtles Skin Red On The Sides?, Dents In Turtle Shell, Turtle Bleeding From Mouth, Turtle Shell Soft Around Edges, Deformed Turtle Shell Care, My Turtles Tail Got Bitten Off, Turtle Missing Part Of Shell, Why Is My Turtle Losing His Shell?