Tortoise shell rot or fungal infections are a common problem in many species of tortoises. Fungal infections can cause a variety of symptoms, including shell rot, which is a condition where the shell of a tortoise or turtle becomes damaged, discolored, or begins to break down due to infection. “shell rot” can be both bacterial and fungal; often, mixed infections occur. Most Tortoise fungal shell infections first appear as a white flaky substance found on the shell; it looks almost like paint but it is flakey and dry. The infection forms for a few different reasons, #1 the area of the shell is typically damp for extended periods of time and is somewhat hidden from the drying properties of the Sun. Even small indentations or ridging in the shell (Called annuli) are enough of a factor to promote this fungus The fungus will be typically found on injured and damaged shells that have pits of uneven plates. It also is typically found on the plastron or bottom of the shell because this area is the most wet and dark area of the shell. There are some other factors that can cause damage to the shell including bacterial or fungal infections, poor husbandry (e.g. unclean living conditions, inadequate nutrition, or inadequate lighting and heating), There are many instances were heating elements are to close to the carapus or top of the shell where they cause different levels of tissues damage. The damage is done to the tissue laying directly under the bone Some can be quite severe. Typically these types of shell trama can happen for a year or two before it is obvious to the keeper there is a problem. Be sure to test the top of the shell temperature with a laser heat temperature gun, do not exceed 80* at the top of the shell. You don’t need to heat the shell over 80*f in a confined shelter at night
 
In some cases shell fungus can cause so much shell damage that the shell is significantly deformed, cracked
these imperfections or scars will continue to collect moisture in the damaged area.
This means constant and repeated treatment.
as a more permanent solution if you keep the animals confined during treatment you can get to a point that the active infection is no longer present.
Make sure there is no smell, or further fungal activity
At the point you can epoxy those areas smooth this will end the fungal inversion.
Note: it is imperative make sure there is no active infection before epoxying
 
 
Fungal infections of the toes, nails and feet .
This is almost exclusively the result of poor habitat construction and poor disinfection protocol.
 
Treatment:
Ensure the animal is on a dry surface so the feet do not get wet.
The tortoises should be drinking from a water bowl . Many people continue to soak their animals long after it is necessary.
Tortoises need to be trained to drink water from a bowl.
disinfect the cage surfaces daily
(To mix chlorine with water to disinfect animal cages, a 1:32 dilution
is effective in inactivating many infectious agents.
This means mixing 1/2 cup of bleach with one gallon)
 
Spray the infected areas with 6% Hydrogen Peroxide
(you have to buy 12% and dilute it down to 6%
Hydrogen peroxide is sensitive to light so keep in a black or brown bottle). about an hour after treating with Hydrogen peroxide spray with wound kote
 
Hydrogen peroxide is the best and fastest treatment
but you can also use betadine, chlorhexidine, Athletes foot spray
You can also spray the feet with Wound koat
Farnam Wound-Kote Dog & Horse Wound Care Spray, 5-oz ca
 
In more severe fungal infections, use systemic drugs to treat infections.
Almost all fungal infections on Iguanas and compromised skin get secondary bacterial infections.
If your Fungal treatment isn’t working you need to consider adding system drugs like.
 
Tortoise skin infections
This is almost exclusively the result of the skin remaining too wet for an extended period of time.
Some tortoises can tolerate much longer exposure to damp surfaces than others.
Sulcatas are a desert tortoise that can quickly develop skin fungal infection
also their skin will root and may disconnect from the shell. other common causes are
poor habitat construction and poor disinfection protocol
Identification Skin infection in tortoise
The skin will appear dry and flaking big pieces of skin off dont be confused by normal shedding
Tortoise do naturally shed some skin from their head, neck and skin
The skin can be thickened and blistered or have scabs.
the skin typical loses its pigment and can appear very thin in some places
Habatat care and feeding
Ensure the animal is on a dry surface so the feet do not get wet.
The tortoises should be drinking from a water bowl . Many people continue to soak their animals long after it is necessary.
Tortoises need to be trained to drink water from a bowl.
disinfect the cage surfaces daily
(To mix chlorine with water to disinfect animal cages, a 1:32 dilution
is effective in inactivating many infectious agents.
This means mixing 1/2 cup of bleach with one gallon)
 
Skin Treatment. Spray the infected areas with 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is sensitive to light so keep in a black or brown bottle).
about an hour after treating with Hydrogen peroxide spray with wound kote
 
Hydrogen peroxide is the best and fastest treatment
but you can also use betadine, chlorhexidine, Athletes foot spray which you can buy in the Drug store the most common antifungal agent is terbinafine
You can also spray the feet with Wound koat (a deep Blue spray stain almost like ink)
Farnam Wound-Kote Dog & Horse Wound Care Spray, 5-oz ca
 
In more severe fungal infections, use systemic drugs to treat infections.
Server or stubborn fungal infections can compromise the skin leading to secondary bacterial infections.
If your Fungal treatment isn’t working you need to consider adding system drugs like.
 
Systemic drugs for treating complicated fungal infections.
Antifungals:
Voriconazole
Drug Dose rate/kg
Itraconazole 10
Terbinafine 10
*you can also use Voriconazole
Antibiotics: Antibiotic Dose Rate
Antibiotic Dose Rate
Baytril 5
Baytril Liquid 5
Cipro 10
Trimeth 30
Cipro @48hrs 10
Cephalexin Oral Suspension 40
 
 
Sam Pascucci
09/19/2025
 
Do you find my resources helpful?
Consider supporting my work with a donation!
It allows me to create more free content, answer more questions,
and reach a wider audience. Every bit helps.