How Long Does It Take to Cure a Turtle’s Shell Rot?

How long shell rot takes to cure depends on the cause and severity. The most common cause is bacterial invasion after the shell is injured or abraded, in which case the keeper should keep the turtle dry for a while to avoid worsening the wound through prolonged soaking. During dry periods, soak the turtle briefly once a day for about 20 minutes to prevent dehydration, and apply iodine and erythromycin to the rotten area daily. Let the turtle sunbathe moderately for disinfection, and for serious cases give some anti-inflammatory medication.