Can anyone tell me what’s going on and if he’s gonna die

1289Gabe

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I’m gonna try to get him something bigger soon and go to the store tomorrow to check out how I can check his humidity and try to get a better thermometer, I’m soaking him now, it’s almost been 40 minutes and he seems to be perking up a bit, but not opening his eyes to much, he is oddly spinning is circles a lot rather then just walking around. I’m not sure of the exact name of the night time bulb I use for him for heat but the other is “10.0 UVB reptisun” and it says it’s 13 watt mini compact fluorescent for small desert terrariums, this light didn’t give off heat so I got mad at that pet store Who said this is all he would need and had to go get the night one that gives off heat
Don’t use the cfl bulbs. They hurt the tortoises eyes and can cause pyramiding.
 

Jon c

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I’m gonna try to get him something bigger soon and go to the store tomorrow to check out how I can check his humidity and try to get a better thermometer, I’m soaking him now, it’s almost been 40 minutes and he seems to be perking up a bit, but not opening his eyes to much, he is oddly spinning is circles a lot rather then just walking around. I’m not sure of the exact name of the night time bulb I use for him for heat but the other is “10.0 UVB reptisun” and it says it’s 13 watt mini compact fluorescent for small desert terrariums, this light didn’t give off heat so I got mad at that pet store Who said this is all he would need and had to go get the night one that gives off heat
I would highly recomend a larger enclosure, using a daytime basking bulb to get a basking area of 95-99 and using a long tube style for the uv light (no heat bright one). That 10.0 CFL will hurt his eyes. Ditch the nighttime heat light, let it be dark. Good luck!
 

Tom

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I’m gonna try to get him something bigger soon and go to the store tomorrow to check out how I can check his humidity and try to get a better thermometer, I’m soaking him now, it’s almost been 40 minutes and he seems to be perking up a bit, but not opening his eyes to much, he is oddly spinning is circles a lot rather then just walking around. I’m not sure of the exact name of the night time bulb I use for him for heat but the other is “10.0 UVB reptisun” and it says it’s 13 watt mini compact fluorescent for small desert terrariums, this light didn’t give off heat so I got mad at that pet store Who said this is all he would need and had to go get the night one that gives off heat
Russians don't need night heat when housed indoors.

Those compact UV bulbs burn their eyes and should not be used.

Pet stores give bad advice and sell the wrong products.

Please read the threads that I linked for you. All of this and more is explained in them.
 

Maddy0.0

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I would highly recomend a larger enclosure, using a daytime basking bulb to get a basking area of 95-99 and using a long tube style for the uv light (no heat bright one). That 10.0 CFL will hurt his eyes. Ditch the nighttime heat light, let it be dark. Good luck!
I’ll try to tomorrow hopefully it’s not to expensive.. and I don’t leave the night time light on at night usually I wish I could sue the damn pet store for telling me to do all the wrong things.. thank you:)
 

Maddy0.0

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Pet stores sell you the wrong products and tend to give bad advice.

Bins are too small for an adult Russian. He needs an indoor enclosure of around 4x8 feet, and a larger enclosure outside for fair weather.

When sunning him outside, he needs to be in an escape proof enclosure. Loose in the yard is a recipe for disaster.

No night lights. They need it dark at night, and a temperature drop into the 60s is helpful for this species at night.

Are you soaking him? Try soaking for 30-40 minutes in warm water every other day for a couple of weeks. Sometimes this will wake them up and get things moving in the intestinal tract. Keep the water warm, not hot, through the entire soak and don't worry about it if he's trying to climb out. Let the water be as deep as the lower one third of his shell.

Which type of UV bulb? Is it the compact type that screws into a dome fixture? Those often burn their eyes and shouldn't be used.

Unfortunately, the vet may have done more harm than good. This is commonly the case. Time will tell.

Read these and follow the guidelines, and his health should improve:

Ask questions. We are here to help.
this is the light I was using I’m going to get him a “daytime basking light” and an HO 10.0 ubv tube light, this is what someone recommended and I’m gonna try it, also longer soaked every other day and taking him in the sun every time it gets into the 60s, I hope to do this today my phone says it’s getting up to 63 today, and spraying him with water and trying to get something to check humidity, thank you for the advice, it’s hope he perks us and starts eating more, if those red spots grow tho I don’t know what I’m gonna do
 

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Maggie3fan

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this is the light I was using I’m going to get him a “daytime basking light” and an HO 10.0 ubv tube light, this is what someone recommended and I’m gonna try it, also longer soaked every other day and taking him in the sun every time it gets into the 60s, I hope to do this today my phone says it’s getting up to 63 today, and spraying him with water and trying to get something to check humidity, thank you for the advice, it’s hope he perks us and starts eating more, if those red spots grow tho I don’t know what I’m gonna do
Hey Maddy...I am in Corvallis...are you around here? I'm offering to come and help with your habitat and tort...
 

Maggie3fan

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It will be enough if you bring him outside for 30 min. up to an hour for 3 or more days a week, you won’t need a uvb lamp.
I agree with your advice except for Oregon...it rains solid and snows periodically for 7 months...yep it's gonna be 61 today and 64 tomorrow...it's gonna have cloud cover and rain...people in Oregon don't tan...we rust... lol
 

Maddy0.0

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Hey Maddy...I am in Corvallis...are you around here? I'm offering to come and help with your habitat and tort...
thank you for the offer but unfortunately I don’t, I’ll post his new little set up though, I took him outside today and all he was tryna do was sleep in the sunimage.jpg
 

Maddy0.0

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I agree with your advice except for Oregon...it rains solid and snows periodically for 7 months...yep it's gonna be 61 today and 64 tomorrow...it's gonna have cloud cover and rain...people in Oregon don't tan...we rust... lol
the HO light I was recommended is around 50 bucks and hopefully I can get it within the month, this new light I got him it pretty bright but it’s more yellow the other light is more white, is this one fine for his eyes

image.jpg
 

Maddy0.0

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So are thes red blemishes something to be a alarmed about? ever since I got him he’s just wanted to sleep and not really eat, I’ve had him for about 4 months and he hasn’t really eaten And only calcium once. I just havnt been able to keep him up recently. I’m trying an appetite stimulate I found online that also claims to boost energy, I’m gonna be trying that 2 or 3 times a day and give him a mini soak to drink water to wash it down, and long 40 minute soaks every other day. It’s getting sunnier out so I’m gonna be able to take him in the sun the next few days. He’s already been on 2 weeks of antibiotics that didn’t really do anything. I’m really just concerned about the red spots and lack of activity, hopefully the long soaks and appetite stimulate with perk him up, any other advice? Has anyone awake gone thru this? He sure is cute tho.

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Farcryjj

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I think he needs to sleep/hibernate. My Clyde does that too. When he is active for 4, 5 months, he gradually would get sleepy, especially in winter months. It doesn't matter how warm or how long I keep the lights on, he just knows. He has his own internal clock.
 

Farcryjj

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I think he needs to sleep/hibernate. My Clyde does that too. When he is active for 4, 5 months, he gradually would get sleepy, especially in winter months. It doesn't matter how warm or how long I keep the lights on, he just knows. He has his own internal clock.
I forgot to mention, my Clyde is hibernating in his fridge since December.
 

Yvonne G

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I think it's safe to assume none of us know the answer to your red spot question and that's why it hasn't been answered.
 
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