amcgath04
Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2016
- Messages
- 35
If this post can save even one tortoise, I will be happy. I have read several posts where people argue that sulcatas should be kept in dry conditions. People argue that some tortoises raised in a dry environment have zero pyramiding and consider that to be proof that it is healthy.
In early May my family adopted a sulcata tortoise from our local herpetological society. He didn't have any pyramiding and appeared to be in optimum health. He was 10" and weighted 6.5 lbs. we live in Minnesota but plan on moving to Florida after my daughter graduates in 2022. We knew it would be a challenge to provide care for a sulcata in MN until we move but we were up for the challenge. We built a 18x24' chainlink kennel outside with cement blocks around the perimeter, only had "Wilson" outside in 70*+ weather, brought him in every night and kept him under a CHE, always had fresh water available, soaked him daily for 45 min and kept a heating pad under the soaking tub to ensure the water maintained 85* temp, used a temp gun to measure temps constantly throughout the day. His inside home had uva/uvb light, cocoacoir mixed with organic soil, basking spot temp range 95-100*, warm area 85*, ambient temp 78* ish, entire area covered in poly with a humidifier going 24/7 keeping humidity around 80%. He was fed organic grasses/weeds only approved on the tortoise table website, always had a cuttle bone, and received squash fresh from my garden occasionally. I also have him mazuri 2-3x/week. From May to Oct he grew 3" and gained 3lbs.
About two weeks ago he began spending a considerable less amount of time outside because our weather has cooled. At that time he stopped have bowel movements. A few days later I noticed there were no urates in his urine (up until this pointe there was usually smooth urates in his urine). I assumed he was constipated from not being outside and walking as much. I mixed mineral oil on his dandelions, brought him for a long bumpy car ride (sitting on a heated seat) and bumped his soaking up to 2x/day for 1hour each time. After a few days of "no results" we brought him to the vet. Keep in mind he was still active, clear eyes and eating. The vet was recommended by my herpetological society. An X-ray determined there was a large bladder stone that was blocking Wilson from being able to excrete waste and surgery was needed. We scheduled surgery even thought the cost estimate was $900-1700. During surgery the vet called and said the stone was so large and must of been there for a very long time and it had calcified into the walls of his bladder and there was no way to remove it. We had to make the heartbreaking decision to not wake Wilson up from anesthesia. The vet said this stone most likely took years to form. It is obvious that the previous owners did not keep him hydrated, even though on the outside he appeared healthy, the dehydration caused havoc on the inside. This could have been easily prevented. Our entire family is heartbroken. I beg people to please listen to @Tom and don't make your tortoise suffer the same fate as my poor Wilson. This article explains how dry environments can cause stones: http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2011/10/28/saving-tortoises-one-urolith-at-a-time/
In early May my family adopted a sulcata tortoise from our local herpetological society. He didn't have any pyramiding and appeared to be in optimum health. He was 10" and weighted 6.5 lbs. we live in Minnesota but plan on moving to Florida after my daughter graduates in 2022. We knew it would be a challenge to provide care for a sulcata in MN until we move but we were up for the challenge. We built a 18x24' chainlink kennel outside with cement blocks around the perimeter, only had "Wilson" outside in 70*+ weather, brought him in every night and kept him under a CHE, always had fresh water available, soaked him daily for 45 min and kept a heating pad under the soaking tub to ensure the water maintained 85* temp, used a temp gun to measure temps constantly throughout the day. His inside home had uva/uvb light, cocoacoir mixed with organic soil, basking spot temp range 95-100*, warm area 85*, ambient temp 78* ish, entire area covered in poly with a humidifier going 24/7 keeping humidity around 80%. He was fed organic grasses/weeds only approved on the tortoise table website, always had a cuttle bone, and received squash fresh from my garden occasionally. I also have him mazuri 2-3x/week. From May to Oct he grew 3" and gained 3lbs.
About two weeks ago he began spending a considerable less amount of time outside because our weather has cooled. At that time he stopped have bowel movements. A few days later I noticed there were no urates in his urine (up until this pointe there was usually smooth urates in his urine). I assumed he was constipated from not being outside and walking as much. I mixed mineral oil on his dandelions, brought him for a long bumpy car ride (sitting on a heated seat) and bumped his soaking up to 2x/day for 1hour each time. After a few days of "no results" we brought him to the vet. Keep in mind he was still active, clear eyes and eating. The vet was recommended by my herpetological society. An X-ray determined there was a large bladder stone that was blocking Wilson from being able to excrete waste and surgery was needed. We scheduled surgery even thought the cost estimate was $900-1700. During surgery the vet called and said the stone was so large and must of been there for a very long time and it had calcified into the walls of his bladder and there was no way to remove it. We had to make the heartbreaking decision to not wake Wilson up from anesthesia. The vet said this stone most likely took years to form. It is obvious that the previous owners did not keep him hydrated, even though on the outside he appeared healthy, the dehydration caused havoc on the inside. This could have been easily prevented. Our entire family is heartbroken. I beg people to please listen to @Tom and don't make your tortoise suffer the same fate as my poor Wilson. This article explains how dry environments can cause stones: http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2011/10/28/saving-tortoises-one-urolith-at-a-time/
I am so sorry you had to go through this, but thank you for sharing and for your care of this tort.
