Red foot isn’t acting right

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Im considering moving my own schedules around to stay another week with her🥲make sure she’s ok and get her plants done, I won’t be visiting for a while😣but I know her owner will keep an eye

 

[JTH]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated! We’ve personally found the orchid bark holds the moisture and humidity really well, but there has been times the top layer that stays mostly dry, has been a little bit dusty at times, so I wonder if maybe when it comes to the next deep clean it’s worth looking into something different for her, the only thing that puts us off the coconut husk is I’ve heard it can get in their eyes are stick to their skin and if it gets stuck in their armpits it’s causes irritation😕I don’t doubt it works great for most, but knowing our luck she’d be the one getting it in her eyes😂
I’m definitely looking into getting her some mazuri pellets cause I’m hoping it’ll help with the diarrhoea she gets, thanks again!

Hi— I've never had a problem with the coconut bedding sticking to their eyes or any other parts. There are many different types of coconut shell bedding. I use a product called CocoCradle from a supplier in Michigan (USA) called Josh's Frogs. Not sure if they can ship to the UK, and it might be expensive. But perhaps you can find a similar product locally. This is a fairly finely ground product that, once moistened, seems to become quite compact and not at all sticky. In any case, good luck with your tortoises!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi— I've never had a problem with the coconut bedding sticking to their eyes or any other parts. There are many different types of coconut shell bedding. I use a product called CocoCradle from a supplier in Michigan (USA) called Josh's Frogs. Not sure if they can ship to the UK, and it might be expensive. But perhaps you can find a similar product locally. This is a fairly finely ground product that, once moistened, seems to become quite compact and not at all sticky. In any case, good luck with your tortoises!

Thank you very much! I’ll definitely look into it, perhaps we could try a bit off both and see how we get on with it😊

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi— I've never had a problem with the coconut bedding sticking to their eyes or any other parts. There are many different types of coconut shell bedding. I use a product called CocoCradle from a supplier in Michigan (USA) called Josh's Frogs. Not sure if they can ship to the UK, and it might be expensive. But perhaps you can find a similar product locally. This is a fairly finely ground product that, once moistened, seems to become quite compact and not at all sticky. In any case, good luck with your tortoises!

From your description it sounds like "coco coir" substrate. Not a bad option, however has the same problem as bark or cypress mulch - when top layer dries it is getting dusty (less an issue when it is packed down). And sometimes tortoises make a real mess out of it.
There is no real need to change bark for it, unless you have live plants (they can root in the coir, although it's not rich in nutrients).

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

It’s sadly looking like a vet visit for squirt, she’s deteriorating😔eyes are streaming, she went off food yesterday and hasn’t come out to eat today😞
I’m beyond nervous about the vets cause idk what changes they’re going to want to make or what treatments they’ll offer☹️
Does anyone have tips on how to help them travel? Should I put a wrapped up hot water bottle in with her? The journey is an hour there and back, I’m so worried about keeping her warm while she’s poorly

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Ok I managed to coax her out by placing it right in front of her and she’s chowing down.. I think I still really want her checked though cause she’s definitely not right😣

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

So after posting those she’s not only decided to polish off the entire feed, she’s also doing laps around the viv being the most active I’ve seen her in weeks🙄
Squirt if you could decide whether you’re actually sick or not that’d be great..

I looked at her eyes before posting that first comment today and both were runny but that one in particular had a tear streaming down.. perhaps I panicked again but still.. definitely not quite right, but maybe shes improving and I’m being impatient

Either way though if people could leave tips for travelling to the vets with them that’d be great, cause I reckon she’ll need a check up

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

It’s sadly looking like a vet visit for squirt, she’s deteriorating😔eyes are streaming, she went off food yesterday and hasn’t come out to eat today😞
I’m beyond nervous about the vets cause idk what changes they’re going to want to make or what treatments they’ll offer☹️
Does anyone have tips on how to help them travel? Should I put a wrapped up hot water bottle in with her? The journey is an hour there and back, I’m so worried about keeping her warm while she’s poorly

Hello!
Don't be too nervous. Ask vet about this or that recommendation, there should be a good reasoning for any. As of medications - your vet has some experience with tortoises so I don't think he will conduct experiments on her. I expect some tests to be done - X-ray, fecals, maybe blood and urine to issue a bill of health. Then when results arrive some medications will be prescribed.

As of traveling tips - a dark opaque container with disposable dog/cat diapers (sheets) is what's advised. I don't think you need a hot water bottle for a short trip in a warmed up car, but why not (put the bottles at the bottom, then something like a towel to fill the gaps and the diaper on top). Don't forget some dry/wet napkins. Take a small water dish for her. Perhaps a picnic fridge (double-walled plastic container) - is the most convenient for transportation.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello!
Don't be too nervous. Ask vet about this or that recommendation, there should be a good reasoning for any. As of medications - your vet has some experience with tortoises so I don't think he will conduct experiments on her. I expect some tests to be done - X-ray, fecals, maybe blood and urine to issue a bill of health. Then when results arrive some medications will be prescribed.

As of traveling tips - a dark opaque container with disposable dog/cat diapers (sheets) is what's advised. I don't think you need a hot water bottle for a short trip in a warmed up car, but why not (put the bottles at the bottom, then something like a towel to fill the gaps and the diaper on top). Don't forget some dry/wet napkins. Take a small water dish for her. Perhaps a picnic fridge (double-walled plastic container) - is the most convenient for transportation.

Thank you for the advice, how do they go about getting a fecal sample if we don’t have one to bring?🫤
Guess she might go in the car though..

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you for the advice, how do they go about getting a fecal sample if we don’t have one to bring?🫤

A car ride!

Or if they suspect something they will ask to bring one whenever Her Tortness decides to cooperate.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

A car ride!

Or if they suspect something they will ask to bring one whenever Her Tortness decides to cooperate.

lol fair enough!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hello!
Don't be too nervous. Ask vet about this or that recommendation, there should be a good reasoning for any. As of medications - your vet has some experience with tortoises so I don't think he will conduct experiments on her. I expect some tests to be done - X-ray, fecals, maybe blood and urine to issue a bill of health. Then when results arrive some medications will be prescribed.

As of traveling tips - a dark opaque container with disposable dog/cat diapers (sheets) is what's advised. I don't think you need a hot water bottle for a short trip in a warmed up car, but why not (put the bottles at the bottom, then something like a towel to fill the gaps and the diaper on top). Don't forget some dry/wet napkins. Take a small water dish for her. Perhaps a picnic fridge (double-walled plastic container) - is the most convenient for transportation.

As for travelling tips: I used a carrier with some paper towels inside a stryrofoam container. I filled the empty caps between the styrofoam and the carrier with some towels. Like with many other reptiles, the most important thing transporting tortoises is to keep it dark and the temperatures staple. Then the tort might even take a nap I had a thermometer gauge inside the styrofoam box but otherwise the lid was fastened. This way I was able to keep my tortoise at a stable 20 C for over a 3 hour drive when I picked him up from the shelter.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

As for travelling tips: I used a carrier with some paper towels inside a stryrofoam container. I filled the empty caps between the styrofoam and the carrier with some towels. Like with many other reptiles, the most important thing transporting tortoises is to keep it dark and the temperatures staple. Then the tort might even take a nap I had a thermometer gauge inside the styrofoam box but otherwise the lid was fastened. This way I was able to keep my tortoise at a stable 20 C for over a 3 hour drive when I picked him up from the shelter.

Thanks for the tips! We’ve booked her in for the next available the exotic vet had which is Wednesday, I’ll gather everything we need like puppy pads etc, I’m hoping with the car heat on and a water bottle we’ll be able to keep her temps nice and warm.
I’m so nervous but the vet we’re going to is listed on the tortoise table and she’s specialised in exotics, so I’m hopeful
I’ll take the temp gun to make sure she’s staying warm

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thanks for the tips! We’ve booked her in for the next available the exotic vet had which is Wednesday, I’ll gather everything we need like puppy pads etc, I’m hoping with the car heat on and a water bottle we’ll be able to keep her temps nice and warm.
I’m so nervous but the vet we’re going to is listed on the tortoise table and she’s specialised in exotics, so I’m hopeful
I’ll take the temp gun to make sure she’s staying warm

How is she now, any changes?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

How is she now, any changes?

Funnily enough it’s like she’s heard us mention vet and she’s like “lol bet” and decided to be more active the past two days, she’s actually just been basking in the open!
Her eyes are still runny at times but I’ve not seen the bubbles in days now, she’s still yawning more than average too but I’d even say that’s lessened.
Tbh all in all she does seem to be improving, I’m worried at this point a car journey will stress her and she’ll back track🥲we have a few days to watch her now till the vets so I guess we’ll see, probably won’t hurt her having a check up but I’m happy with her progress, leading me to think she’s getting over the worst of whatever was going on

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Sounds good so far. Perhaps, higher temperatures work for her.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Sounds good so far. Perhaps, higher temperatures work for her.

Indeed! She’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her today! Not stopped moving since I’ve been up!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Still out🥰also check out that impressive grow line!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hey guys, we’ll definitely be taking squirt for the check up, whilst today has seemed better, she’s very much up and down, eyes are clear one moment, streaming the next, and after watching her the yawning is definitely still there. She’s polished off her feed again which is good😊during her soak, I noticed when she was pushing to poop, bubbling was coming from her mouth, Ive noticed it when she gets a bit stressy during her soak too, definitely concerned me but I can only presume it’s to do with whatever she has going on, least she’ll be checked soon. Still got diarrhoea unfortunately.

One other thing that’s caught my eye, and Id appreciate some input on, I noticed some teeny tiny little which bugs crawling all over her shell, I’d say there were probably around 10 or so, they were so small it was impossible to get a picture, I’ve never seen them before but they don’t look like springtails to me, almost like teeny little white spiders, they were the size of a speck of dust. Everything I’m reading is telling me white bugs are harmless and most likely have come from the substrate, I think if they were black we are to be concerned? It’s strange cause we’ve never had this issue before and it’s the same place we always get it, could these be causing her symptoms in anyway? Or is it just coincidence?
I might make another thread on the bugs, depending on the response I get here

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I have seen such tiny little bugs a couple of times too but they should not be an issue. You can look for similar posts on the forum. One member reported that the bugs were gone after applying coconut oil to the shell.