3594. How to raise a healthy red-eared slider in an apartment?

 24 May 2021.

INSTAGRAM

To create an educational video using two case studies

CASE 1. From internet query from Johor, Malaysia

Complaints:
1. White and black spots on shell
2. Soft shell in back area.
3. Gasping 

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a common disease in pet red-eared sliders.
Other terms which may be used include fibrous osteodystrophy, osteomalacia, secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, and rickets. There is no single cause of MBD and the disease is not as simple as calcium deficiency. The primary problem is a disruption of calcium metabolism which causes a host of related problems.

MBD is almost always a result of poor husbandry but it is also generally preventable by providing a proper environment and diet specifically for your type of reptile. 

Prevention of metabolic bone disease

Proper husbandry is more than just providing the right diet. The following are important in both the prevention and treatment of metabolic bone disease:

• A diet balanced in calcium and phosphorus, protein, energy and other nutrients. Buy a reputable brand with good supply of Calcium, Phosphorus and Vit D..
• Exposure to UVA/UVB invisible light rays
• Proper heat gradients - basking area heated at one end with heating lamp and UVA/UVB lights, the other end cooler temperature.
• Adequate enclosure and/or room to exercise

HOOK

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UVA/UVB lights

Heating lamp at one end

Exercise area

Good quality diet - calcium:phosphorus ratio 2:1 and Vit D supplements

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CASE 2. Toa Payoh Vets

Similar complaints of soft shell, shell rot and respiratory infection in the group of 3 sliders