Recurring shell problem

[erica]

Hello,

You may remember a few months back I posted about Shuffle's broken shell:

petsnails.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=problems&action=display&n=1&thread=1847

Well, the problem's still there. When I've put general pics up I've occasionally indicated how her shell is still showing damage as it grows at the point where the new growth is attached to the old shell, and I just wanted to ask specifically if anyone else has had the problem because last night there was a much larger than usual broken area and it sent me into a fit of nerves again.

Here are some pics:
First, the continuous bad growth (nearly three whole whorls worth now), i took these a week or so ago as a record.




and now the hole last night:





I'm not sure how clear it is in the pics but the damage is right over her air hole, and it's as though she does it to herself. The squareish piece of shell under the gap is very thin as though she's rasped that away too, although thtis morning it is still there. I knew this kind of thing must be continuing or her shell wouldn't look so damaged, but last night's the first time in a while that the hole's been so big.

I worried she was suffocating (hence her breaking the shell near her air hole), but the tank lid doesn't seal and there are air holes, and Isaac hasn't done anything like this. Then I worried they weren't getting enough calcium, but whilst I admit I've still failed to get any liquid calcium I've made sure they've got a good supply, with two huge cuttlefish which they regularly have a go at and the odd bit of crushed oyster shell (which they're still not that keen on), they even get milk on their oatibix.

Before someone suggested mites and I've looked out for them but can't see any, they're on capillary matting and i clean the tank regularly. has anyone seen such a continuous problem? or do you have any suggestions?

Please help!
Erica

[copigeon]

Im not sure why, but in experience once damage is done to that area of the shell, it rarely corrects itself fully. It could be down to the way the shell is constructed by the snail at that particular point (near the last whorle).
There is a similar problem in applesnails, which results in more extreme irregular growth which exposes the tissue and eventually kills the snail.
It is suggested in applesnails that it is caused by a change in water temperature (warmer water) and a sudden influx of food/feeding (growth spurt) and that reduced feeding and cooler temps can help the snail rebuild a normal shell edge.
Im not sure if this could be used effectively in land snails at all.

I have an albino reti, and an iredalei which suffered this sort of damage after a fall. Both have never fully corrected the problem and continue to grow a distorted yet perfectly serviceable shell with either a gap at the edge of the whorle or just a rough ugly edge.
I'd say your just stuck with a deformed shell, and shouldnt be concerned by the fact it is so.
I'll try and get some photos up later as examples.

[erica]

thanks, although the shell does grow okay, it then breaks after it's fully formed. which is why i thought she was doing it to herself...

[LisaLQ]

She probably is - my Columbia (now with Sian) did this - she had it before she came and never grew out of it, I thought initially that it was because she was a crossbreed (ovum x suturalis) as one of my other crossbreed babies did it too - but I think now it was just habit. She'd had mites, and just got used to chewing herself. One of my iredaleis did this too, but grew out of it nicely.

It might be something like a very minor case of mites (sometimes you cant even see them), or just that she got used to chewing it when it was irritating her (ie when she damaged it) and just carries on doing it out of habit. Unless she's harming herself in the process, I dont think you have anything to worry about

[goose]

Hi Erica - my albino fulica Madame Cholet has a section of shell which grows like Shuffle's (though it is narrower) and is showing no signs of improving with each bit of new growth. She came to me like that but seems absolutely fine and healthy so I wouldn't worry. One of my young tigers also grew a very narrow piece of shell like that about 2 cm long after a fall but in this case it has corrected itself and the new shell is back to normal.

[Tigs]

I cant really add anything to the answers other than it is beginning to sound like a habit now.

Well i can add a hug ;D

Tigs

[erica]

thanks everyone for the reassurance.

hugs definitely help too!
e