Tortoise health

skitz2999

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The number one most common cause of why a baby tortoise got sick is incorrect husbandry. So when we ask how you take care of the tortoise, his enclosure, heat and diet, these are the things we need to know in order to figure out what's wrong with the little guy.
Should I feed her where she has a hole in her face because she's acting hungry or should I wait until after we go to the vet tomorrow? I'd for her to go hungry :(
 

skitz2999

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I wasnt sure if I should do this where she's ill and all but I went ahead and moved her into a 10 gallon tank. She's just a walkin around and checkin things out like new life got into her. She even looks better. Does my heart good.
 

Lyn W

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Should I feed her where she has a hole in her face because she's acting hungry or should I wait until after we go to the vet tomorrow? I'd for her to go hungry :(
Is it her beak that has broken? I can't tell from the photos, they are not very clear.
If she is still wanting to eat cut up her food into very small pieces to make it easier for her.

Please post some pictures of the enclosure she has been living in, if members spot potential problems, they can help you put it right and save you a lot of money on vets bills.

This is the caresheet you need for your tortoise. It will advise you about a better diet.

Calcium should only be given a couple of times of week .
Is your vet a tortoise specialist? If they offer vitamin jabs without having done tests to see if there is a deficiency, don't accept it because they can often do more harm than good. Vitamins should come from a good diet.
 
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mastershake

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i just cant tell from those pics. can you get a closer pic. if she is really 2 years old something is not right. she def does not look well. im happy to take a closer look if you can get some better pics. i run a rescue and work VERY closely with vets on a constant basis and have seen nearly anything there is to see.
 

skitz2999

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Willis Wharf, VA
Is it her beak that has broken? I can't tell from the photos, they are not very clear.
If she is still wanting to eat cut up her food into very small pieces to make it easier for her.

Please post some pictures of the enclosure she has been living in, if members spot potential problems, they can help you put it right and save you a lot of money on vets bills.

This is the caresheet you need for your tortoise. It will advise you about a better diet.

Calcium should only be given a couple of times of week .
Is your vet a tortoise specialist? If they offer vitamin jabs without having done tests to see if there is a deficiency, don't accept it because they can often do more harm than good. Vitamins should come from a good diet.
It's a spray. You spray it on their food.
i just cant tell from those pics. can you get a closer pic. if she is really 2 years old something is not right. she def does not look well. im happy to take a closer look if you can get some better pics. i run a rescue and work VERY closely with vets on a constant basis and have seen nearly anything there is to see.
She normally looks and seems like a happy lil gal. I've dealt with turtles all my life but this is my first tortoise. I was in contact with the hatchery that sold her to me and they said she was hatched shortly before I got her about 2 years ago at the end of the month. As to say I've cared for her for just under 2 years and we've never had a problem. We go to see the vet tomorrow (Wednesday) and I'm going to discuss all this with her. I really thought she was just a slow grower where her breed has such amazing longevity. Life expectancy of 70-100 years. I really appreciate all your willingness to help me. I can update you after we see the vet if you would like. Thank you so much.
 

skitz2999

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Willis Wharf, VA
Is it her beak that has broken? I can't tell from the photos, they are not very clear.
If she is still wanting to eat cut up her food into very small pieces to make it easier for her.

Please post some pictures of the enclosure she has been living in, if members spot potential problems, they can help you put it right and save you a lot of money on vets bills.

This is the caresheet you need for your tortoise. It will advise you about a better diet.

Calcium should only be given a couple of times of week .
Is your vet a tortoise specialist? If they offer vitamin jabs without having done tests to see if there is a deficiency, don't accept it because they can often do more harm than good. Vitamins should come from a good diet.
This is the enclosure I've had her in her entire life although I've just moved her into a 10 gallon tank. I can post a pic of that if need be. I had a long piece of slate in her enclosure that served as her feeding plate but I removed it before I took the pics and broke it so that I would have a smaller one to put in the 10gallon tank.
 

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mastershake

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one of the symptoms of austwickia is slow or no real new growth. without seeing the spot up close i can not say if it looks like it but facial changes or structure issues is another symptom seen in many of the cases. many vets have never seen a case of it up close and tend to misdiagnose it. it may totally not be that but do be careful handling just in case as its HIGHLY contagious to all reptiles.
 

skitz2999

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She's never had any problems before of any kind. She's just been a happy little tortoise. Never had any problems with her face, skin, shell or anything. I'm hoping that this was just a freak acurance and she'll be alright and maybe that she's just a runt. She's always been perfect in every aspect of her behavior. Everyone's always commented on how pretty she is. Wish me luck.
 

Lyn W

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This is the enclosure I've had her in her entire life although I've just moved her into a 10 gallon tank. I can post a pic of that if need be. I had a long piece of slate in her enclosure that served as her feeding plate but I removed it before I took the pics and broke it so that I would have a smaller one to put in the 10gallon tank.
Pictures of the new tank would help, but I think even a 10 gallon tank would be too small for her. They are roaming creatures and need floor space to move about for bone and digestive health and for you to provide a warm and cool side. Even the juveniles/adults of smaller species need a minimum of 4 x 8 feet, but the bigger the better.
What lamps are you using?
Please read the caresheet I linked for the most up to date advice on diet, substrate, heating and lighting etc.
Good luck with the vet - are they a reptile specialist?
 

skitz2999

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Willis Wharf, VA
Pictures of the new tank would help, but I think even a 10 gallon tank would be too small for her. They are roaming creatures and need floor space to move about for bone and digestive health and for you to provide a warm and cool side. Even the juveniles/adults of smaller species need a minimum of 4 x 8 feet, but the bigger the better.
What lamps are you using?
Please read the caresheet I linked for the most up to date advice on diet, substrate, heating and lighting etc.
Good luck with the vet - are they a reptile specialist?
I can move her back to her large enclosure that Ive had her in. Here's a pic of what I put her in and she decided to come out for the picture lol and a picture of the bulbs I'm using with this tank.
 

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MenagerieGrl

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And a suggestion, If you haven't seen the vet Yet, when you do, Ask them about "Austwickia chelonae", If it is possible that your lil tort could have this. Or if the Vet even knows about "Austwickia chelonae"
 

TaylorTortoise

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The baby looks highly lethargic. swollen by the limbs... Im wondering if the baby is dehydrated from possible lack of soaking, access to water that the baby is suffering from severe water retention.
 

skitz2999

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The baby looks highly lethargic. swollen by the limbs... Im wondering if the baby is dehydrated from possible lack of soaking, access to water that the baby is suffering from severe water retention.
Whats the purpose of posting this? I'm not that green and clueless. I know most of this. I've had her for nearly 2 years without a hitch and she's always been a happy little girl. She has access to plenty of water.
 

TaylorTortoise

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Whats the purpose of posting this? I'm not that green and clueless. I know most of this. I've had her for nearly 2 years without a hitch and she's always been a happy little girl. She has access to plenty of water.
I can tell you right now, that tortoise is not able to access that water bowl as much as you think it might. the level of it is awkward for the tortoise to get in an out of. We prefer plant saucers they are tortoise safe and friendly.

The enclosure the tortoise is in as well could be a huge impact/factor to the complications we are seeing with your tortoise. You need to see how warm it gets directly from the tortoises shell to see how much heat/ uvb a it is getting as well. Tortoises need humidity especially leopards and that type of fish tank enclosure will not suite this type of species. I am sorry just offering constructive feedback.
 

skitz2999

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I can tell you right now, that tortoise is not able to access that water bowl as much as you think it might. the level of it is awkward for the tortoise to get in an out of. We prefer plant saucers they are tortoise safe and friendly.

The enclosure the tortoise is in as well could be a huge impact/factor to the complications we are seeing with your tortoise. You need to see how warm it gets directly from the tortoises shell to see how much heat/ uvb a it is getting as well. Tortoises need humidity especially leopards and that type of fish tank enclosure will not suite this type of species. I am sorry just offering constructive feedback.
Leopard tortoise is a desert species and I put her in the water all the time. Where I live is very high humidity anyway. I live on a peninsula. The town I live in is Willis "Wharf". I could throw a ball and hit water. There is no lack of humidity. SweetPea's front legs are bulky and armored while her back legs are lil dinky things. Been like that her whole life. I keep a measured heat bulb on the warm side of her enclosure all day as well as a uvb bulb. I've studied on how to treat a leopard tortoise since I had the idea of getting one. I'm not new to the game and know how to treat her. Something just happened that I've never heard of and cant find anything on the net about and I'm not really sure what to do or how to react. I thought maybe someone on here could help me or had at least heard of this. I appreciate all the help offered. We go to the vet this afternoon. Wish us well.
 

mastershake

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those twist style uvb bulbs are terrible i just wanted to add that since i saw the pics. they should be pulled off the market imo. a t5 tube style uvb is what should be used imo.
 

skitz2999

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I feel so ashamed. The vet said it was probably due to malnutrition and that it was probably stunting her growth also. She gave me medicine to put on her face twice a day and this stuff to rub on her food. I feel like a bad parent. I will do better though. Any help along the way will be greatly appreciated. I WILL nurse my little SweetPea back to health one way or the other.
 

mastershake

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as some said follow the guide here we linked to and you will be doing everything as perfect as you possibly can for them, if you do you should see an improvement as long as that is all that was wrong. also change that uvb out those coil bulbs honestly are just terrible. we are all very happy to help you as much as we can if you are willing to listen. some of us have MANY years exp (30+ years) and myself for example we run a 501c3 non profit and we actually specialize in special needs animals and getting them healthy again with rehab here. there is a HUGE amount of very long term knowledge by many people here in the forum.
 

skitz2999

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Willis Wharf, VA
as some said follow the guide here we linked to and you will be doing everything as perfect as you possibly can for them, if you do you should see an improvement as long as that is all that was wrong. also change that uvb out those coil bulbs honestly are just terrible. we are all very happy to help you as much as we can if you are willing to listen. some of us have MANY years exp (30+ years) and myself for example we run a 501c3 non profit and we actually specialize in special needs animals and getting them healthy again with rehab here. there is a HUGE amount of very long term knowledge by many people here in the forum.
Trust me...I'm going to go by the guides yall linked. I've only dealt with the 3 local turtles (box, painted and snapping) and theyre pretty basic. I will be changing my uvb. I have a couple different ones around here somewheres. Right now all my attention is going to getting her well. That takes time and effort. If she can get better I will get her better.
 
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