Does anyone take their tortoise for "check-ups" at the vet? Is that a recommended practice?
Not so much. Fecals are good regularly, and building a relationship with your get are good. Well checks don't have much benefit otherwise.
Sorry, for parasites.By fecals do you mean regularly checking to see if the tortoise's waste is properly colored and what not?
If your tort has bright eyes, is active and eating well and feels heavy for its size then save your money.
If you do go to a vet then make absolutely sure the vet is experienced with tortoises. A general vet can do more harm than good. If the vet suggests vitamin injections then pick up your tort and run for the hills; excess vitamin A, for example, causes horrendous skin problems.
Let's not discourage new tort owners from going to the vet. Not everyone is an "expert" like so many of you are. A yearly vet visit is a good idea until someone really knows what to look for. Also, Vitamin A injections are sometimes appropriate treatment, depending on the situation and the patient.
Vitamin A may be appropriate for a turtle, but not a tortoise. Vets do more harm than good way to often. My first vet told me to feed my leopard tortoise green beans and broccoli instead of so much grass and weeds. Beginners that trust their vet, are difficult to convince the vet is wrong.Let's not discourage new tort owners from going to the vet. Not everyone is an "expert" like so many of you are. A yearly vet visit is a good idea until someone really knows what to look for. Also, Vitamin A injections are sometimes appropriate treatment, depending on the situation and the patient.