RV had a burrow and in winter would stay down for what I would consider a very lengthy bit of time. We're in south Phoenix and when she wasn't quick enough to pop up above ground (remember, heat rises and cold settles) I took a hair dryer and blew warm air down. Not a constant stream, and I took...
Tom: my apology for taking so long to reply...
I had a lengthy reply but lost it, so heres the gist: We took RV to our routine vet and he trimmed her nails. She weighed in at just under 91# and everything looked fine and healthy - except for the gimp. We have meds for a month to help with...
Not much chance of her flipping... The yard is uneven hardback, there are 1x1 pavers to discourage digging. I'll look through my studio for my Dremel and diamond disc cutter.
Over the years our yard has changed. What was once wild and beautiful Bermuda with few trees, is now shaded and mostly dirt. RV has grown from a young sprout who couldn't keep up with the growth of the grass, to a yard stomping eating machine. We have cactus and I've been supplementing with...
RV is still unwilling to place weight on that back foot. The vet didn't find anything wrong, x-ray was fine, appetite, eyes, nose and ears look good, shell (other than weathering) is stellar......
The foot in question seems to have nails longer than than the one on the other side ~ what do...
The word at the vet was they'd not had a tort as large as RV come in for an exam (really?) They marveled at the travel tote (now the repository of garden/yard supplies). Marveled at RV. When the vet came in to examine RV, she marveled at the ease of which she could stroke and lightly palate the...
HI TOM!! 🖐There was a heat lamp when she was very small, but once she transitioned to outdoor tort there hasn't been one ~ just the great outdoors and pig mats in her hide. I hate to think that something done 20+ years ago cones back to harm her now. More in upcoming post.
And as always, RV...
We pulled RVs tote through the side yard to the Prius (the hatch being lower than that of the Subaru) and tried to lift her in. No go: our upper body strength not quite enough to lift past a certain height. We lifted and tipped just enough that the edge caught the deck .. and we slid her in...
Well, RVs gimp/limp came back. And as we were still concerned with the bleaching of her carapace, we made an appointment and took her to the vet. FIRST order of business was finding something big enough, and sturdy enough - that would withstand the 30ish mile round trip. So off to the big-box...
Just a brief note that the Tempe exotic vet has moved his practice to Mesa. RV has developed a gimp (R rear leg) and if she continues to hobble, she will have her first vet visit. She's 23 now, I guess she's due.
It is well worth your while to police your yard at LEAST daily, and always check your torts poop for problems. I found this while scooping: RV had eaten a balloon, string and all. Thank God she was able to have it pass through her system.
We live in extreme summer condition, and this year the heat and UV seemed more intense.
RV has the run of the yard, we've never blocked or locked her in her hide ~ so it is her decision where she beds down to sleep: back porch, in the yard or under a tree... I'm thinking she will be in the hide...