Advice please (15yr old w/soft plastron)

[dimitra]

Hi I’m Dimitra. My girlfriend and I have a rescue tortoise named Ripley, he is a horsefield who is about 15 years old. We have had him for 1 year, he was seriously neglected (since he was a baby) which has caused him a few problems. His plastron shell is very soft. We have a uvb and a heat lamp which have both been changed a few weeks ago and we also give him calcium dust on his food and he is bathed every day (as the vets suggested). Is there anything we can do to help him and make his shell harder. We took him to the vets a few days ago as he stoped eating. The vets have told us that he will need a tube if he doesn’t eat. What is the best thing to feed your tortoise as every website says something different and it’s a bit confusing. Since being at the vets he was given reptoboost which he is bathed in 2-3 times a day and is in his water bowl since then he has started eating but doesn’t eat as much as he used to. We are also wanting to make his enclosure a bit more fun we have a 7ft enclosure and currently have tortoise soil substrate, what else can we put in (because yet again the internet tells you 1000 different things) ?
We are doing every thing we can we just want our little boy to have the best life he could possible have thank you for your help

 

[method89]

Pictures will definitely help. Read the care sheet below:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Yossarian]

Hi Dimitra, Welcome to TFO.

It will take a while for the shell to harden up, it is really the bone underneat that needs to harden. The tortoise soil substrate sold at pets stores in the UK is not really suitable, its pretty stupid branding, but your much better off getting 100% coco coir or orchid bark and using that instead. The pet store stuff has little limestone bits in it that are a digestive impaction risk. Otherise before giving you too much info I will post the care sheet for your tortoise. It is the correct info, read it and follow it, and any question feel free to ask.

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise | Tortoise Forum

 

[dimitra]

Hi Dimitra, Welcome to TFO.

It will take a while for the shell to harden up, it is really the bone underneat that needs to harden. The tortoise soil substrate sold at pets stores in the UK is not really suitable, its pretty stupid branding, but your much better off getting 100% coco coir or orchid bark and using that instead. The pet store stuff has little limestone bits in it that are a digestive impaction risk. Otherise before giving you too much info I will post the care sheet for your tortoise. It is the correct info, read it and follow it, and any question feel free to ask.

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise | Tortoise Forum

Thank you so much I will read up on it right now

 

[dimitra]

Pictures will definitely help. Read the care sheet below:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Thank you ill read up now

 

[dimitra]

Pictures will definitely help. Read the care sheet below:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[dimitra]

We know about the pyramiding it was really bad when we got him it is slowly getting better. The translucent edges around his shell is what we are working for we know it’s to do with rapid growth and lack of d3 (if I’m not mistaking)

 

[Lyn W]

Hi and welcome,
Forget the internet - you are in the best place now for up to date information and care advice.
When did he stop eating and was your vet a tort specialist?
Was he pooping and passing urates OK before?
Check his temps because if they aren't warm they won't eat, mine also eats less in the winter. They can go several days without eating.
www.thetortoisetable.org.uk is a good guide to safe tort foods.
In the winter I use bags of Aldi mixed leaf salad (pale green bag 57p) as a base and add things like pak choy lambs lettuce, romaine, kale, spring greens to add variety (not all at once)
They need uvb to help absorb nutrients so maybe the new lamps will help.
If you post some pics of his enclosure you'll get great advice on how to make sure he's safe and happy.

 

[dimitra]

Hi and welcome,
Forget the internet - you are in the best place now for up to date information and care advice.
When did he stop eating and was your vet a tort specialist?
Was he pooping and passing urates OK before?
Check his temps because if they aren't warm they won't eat, mine also eats less in the winter. They can go several days without eating.
www.thetortoisetable.org.uk is a good guide to safe tort foods.
In the winter I use bags of Aldi mixed leaf salad (pale green bag 57p) as a base and add things like pak choy lambs lettuce, romaine, kale, spring greens to add variety (not all at once)
They need uvb to help absorb nutrients so maybe the new lamps will help.
If you post some pics of his enclosure you'll get great advice on how to make sure he's safe and happy.

Hi thank you I’ve read through the care sheet which was suggested multiple times and I have order the substrates which were listed. He stopped eating about a week ago he is still passing urine and faeces. The vet was an exotic vet, he gave Ripley some antibiotics and we’re going back on Thursday to see if he has improved. Although he has been eating the past few days- he’s been eating viola, pansy and lambs lettuce. And we have started growing some plants that we’re safe to feed to the tortoise table. Everything that we’re feeding him are green zones as we don’t want to risk his health after everything he has been through

 

[Lyn W]

Hi thank you I’ve read through the care sheet which was suggested multiple times and I have order the substrates which were listed. He stopped eating about a week ago he is still passing urine and faeces. The vet was an exotic vet, he gave Ripley some antibiotics and we’re going back on Thursday to see if he has improved. Although he has been eating the past few days- he’s been eating viola, pansy and lambs lettuce. And we have started growing some plants that we’re safe to feed to the tortoise table. Everything that we’re feeding him are green zones as we don’t want to risk his health after everything he has been through

Some of the more experienced members feel the Tortoise Table is sometimes over cautious but a good guide for beginners.

I only make a point of avoiding the toxic stuff (red ) and fruit because torts can't handle the sugars.

The orange 'feed in moderation' foods and the other colour (can't remember what it is at the moment, are OK to use for variety and to bulk out the better foods. They also have valuable nutrients - just not to be fed as a sole food in great amounts. In our climate it's hard to avoid them to give a balanced diet and variety. Don't let that reduce your options for him.

Things like iceberg and little gem aren't great but there are better leaves - as in the Aldi bag or escarole, frisee, batavia, radiccio, romaine etc,.

When I first joined I was told to use Florette Classic Crispy as they have a good mix of leaves - as do Sainsbury Mixed leaf salad bags but they are quite pricey. I always soak any bagged stuff as they are washed in chlorine , but fine after and it also rehydrates them.

When my tort is off his food I add some fine slithers of cucumber (no peel or seeds) or just squeeze the juice of it on his food . Torts love cucumber - it has little nutritional value and can have a laxative effect if too much is fed, but the smell of it seems to make food irresistible.

Many of us leave a cuttlefish bone in the enclosure for torts to nibble on (as sold for birds but with the metal or plastic cage clips removed). This is often ignored but they will sometimes eat it - maybe if they feel they need calcium.

 

[Yossarian]

Hi thank you I’ve read through the care sheet which was suggested multiple times and I have order the substrates which were listed. He stopped eating about a week ago he is still passing urine and faeces. The vet was an exotic vet, he gave Ripley some antibiotics and we’re going back on Thursday to see if he has improved. Although he has been eating the past few days- he’s been eating viola, pansy and lambs lettuce. And we have started growing some plants that we’re safe to feed to the tortoise table. Everything that we’re feeding him are green zones as we don’t want to risk his health after everything he has been through

Lambs lettuce is a good option, it can be a diet staple and is readily available. The flowers are great too but I can never maintain a supply of them lol. I have already noticed some things missing from the produce section since Brexit sadly. havent seen Pak Choy since for example.

 

[dimitra]

Lambs lettuce is a good option, it can be a diet staple and is readily available. The flowers are great too but I can never maintain a supply of them lol. I have already noticed some things missing from the produce section since Brexit sadly. havent seen Pak Choy since for example.

We found seeds and the plants in a garden centre so we’re trying to grow some viola, pansy and lambs lettuce. We also bought lambs lettuce from Tesco and Waitrose

 

[dimitra]

Some of the more experienced members feel the Tortoise Table is sometimes over cautious but a good guide for beginners.

I only make a point of avoiding the toxic stuff (red ) and fruit because torts can't handle the sugars.

The orange 'feed in moderation' foods and the other colour (can't remember what it is at the moment, are OK to use for variety and to bulk out the better foods. They also have valuable nutrients - just not to be fed as a sole food in great amounts. In our climate it's hard to avoid them to give a balanced diet and variety. Don't let that reduce your options for him.

Things like iceberg and little gem aren't great but there are better leaves - as in the Aldi bag or escarole, frisee, batavia, radiccio, romaine etc,.

When I first joined I was told to use Florette Classic Crispy as they have a good mix of leaves - as do Sainsbury Mixed leaf salad bags but they are quite pricey. I always soak any bagged stuff as they are washed in chlorine , but fine after and it also rehydrates them.

When my tort is off his food I add some fine slithers of cucumber (no peel or seeds) or just squeeze the juice of it on his food . Torts love cucumber - it has little nutritional value and can have a laxative effect if too much is fed, but the smell of it seems to make food irresistible.

Many of us leave a cuttlefish bone in the enclosure for torts to nibble on (as sold for birds but with the metal or plastic cage clips removed). This is often ignored but they will sometimes eat it - maybe if they feel they need calcium.

Thank you so much for all your advice I will try everything tomorrow after his morning bath I will let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed he eats more tomorrow. I’ll order one of them cuttlefish bones, I’ve also ordered some new bedding for him so he can be a bit more comfy. We used to feed him greens from packs but when we done some research we realised we weren’t giving him everything he needed. How often should I be putting calcium powered on his food and should I purchase some vitamin supplements?

 

[Box Turtle Tuesday]

Good luck I hope you get the issue fixed

 

[dimitra]

Good luck I hope you get the issue fixed

Thank you fingers crossed

 

[Lyn W]

Thank you so much for all your advice I will try everything tomorrow after his morning bath I will let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed he eats more tomorrow. I’ll order one of them cuttlefish bones, I’ve also ordered some new bedding for him so he can be a bit more comfy. We used to feed him greens from packs but when we done some research we realised we weren’t giving him everything he needed. How often should I be putting calcium powered on his food and should I purchase some vitamin supplements?

The bags aren't the best but some are better than others, and I always add the better leaves and grind Readigrass finely to sprinkle on the wet leaves every day - your tort may not be a grass eater.
Roll on spring when the clover, dandies and ribwort and broadleaf plantains etc are back!

There are varying opinions on calcium; some add a dusting every day, but I only add a pinch a couple of times a week. If he likes the cuttlefish bone you may not need to add too often . Maybe while his shell is soft use more often - but take the more experienced members advice about that.

I'll see if I can find and link a post I read today , it was about urates but mentioned the use of calcium.

I also add a pinch of Nutribal a couple of times a week too.

Have you ever tried him with tort pellets? Mine won't touch them but some torts like them.

 

[dimitra]

The bags aren't the best but some are better than others, and I always add the better leaves and grind Readigrass finely to sprinkle on the wet leaves every day - your tort may not be a grass eater.
Roll on spring when the clover, dandies and ribwort and broadleaf plantains etc are back!

There are varying opinions on calcium; some add a dusting every day, but I only add a pinch a couple of times a week. If he likes the cuttlefish bone you may not need to add too often . Maybe while his shell is soft use more often - but take the more experienced members advice about that.

I'll see if I can find and link a post I read today , it was about urates but mentioned the use of calcium.

I also add a pinch of Nutribal a couple of times a week too.

Have you ever tried him with tort pellets? Mine won't touch them but some torts like them.

We’ve ordered a few different pellets but we’re not sure how he’s going to feel about them. It’s so hard at the moment trying to find things that he is going to like with it being winter. I’ll try putting some calcium on his food today until the cuttlebone has arrived. We’re also bathing his in reptoboost and it is making him eat little bits a few hours after he has been bathed