Shell Concaved and Pyramiding

RachelT

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Aug 22, 2019
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Petaluma, Ca
We recently took in this Sulcata, we are told she’s about 3 years old.
We have her on the proper diet, supplements and lighting but I want to see how successful other have been in rehabbing this kind of deformity. I know she’s got a long road ahead, but I hope, as she grows the scutes and overall shell will harden and grow more normal.
Thoughts? Advise? Helpful tips?
We’ve named her Lumpy IMG_3098.jpgIMG_3102.jpgIMG_3101.jpg
 

wellington

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That is a sign of metabolic bone diseases, MBD. You can improve his overall health but will not improve the shell condition/shape much.
If the bottom/plastron shell is concave then it's likely a Male. A better pic of the tail and tail scute area will help us to confirm sex. A proper diet, calcium and uvb will help this guy get healthier which is needed along with good hydration and room to roam and graze.
 

Yvonne G

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Lumpy will never look like a 'normal' sulcata. There's nothing you can do to improve the shell. What he needs is real sun and a calcium-rich diet. Frequent soaks and ready access to water will also make the tortoise more comfortable.

This kind of deformity is not attributed to being raised too dry, like what we usually see. This is from wrong diet and lack of real sun or a GOOD UVB light.
 

g4mobile

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Fort Lauderdale, FL
We recently took in this Sulcata, we are told she’s about 3 years old.
We have her on the proper diet, supplements and lighting but I want to see how successful other have been in rehabbing this kind of deformity. I know she’s got a long road ahead, but I hope, as she grows the scutes and overall shell will harden and grow more normal.
Thoughts? Advise? Helpful tips?
We’ve named her Lumpy View attachment 280573View attachment 280574View attachment 280575
So glad to see you're giving him a chance.
 

BrookeB

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Bodfish
This is frank.. he had mbd I got him 8 years ago this is him when I got him. He was pretty flat and his shell was not soft but extra flexible..

View attachment 281350View attachment 281351


And this is him after. I would suggest you have yours outside as much as possible. Make sure he or she is warm and give him a lot of food and soaking. My boy had severe large kidney stones that I had to remove by hand. They only passed because of his soaking. Oh and calcium.. when I first got frank I gave him cuddle bones and I swear he ate those like candy..

IMG_0634.jpgIMG_0636.jpgIMG_0637.jpgIMG_0635.jpg

I think if you cover franks spikes he almost looks like a normal sulcata .. good luck with your dude.. I really hope you can get him through this.
 

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Tom

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This is frank.. he had mbd I got him 8 years ago this is him when I got him. He was pretty flat and his shell was not soft but extra flexible..

View attachment 281350View attachment 281351


And this is him after. I would suggest you have yours outside as much as possible. Make sure he or she is warm and give him a lot of food and soaking. My boy had severe large kidney stones that I had to remove by hand. They only passed because of his soaking. Oh and calcium.. when I first got frank I gave him cuddle bones and I swear he ate those like candy..

View attachment 281344View attachment 281345View attachment 281346View attachment 281347

I think if you cover franks spikes he almost looks like a normal sulcata .. good luck with your dude.. I really hope you can get him through this.
Wow. What a turn around. Thanks for posting these pics Brooke. Simply amazing and he looks so good now.
 
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