another poop story.....plugged up

eric joranson

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well for 2 years you could almost set your watch to defecation time for Titan. But last week things changed. 6 days passed with no voiding of pooh.......eating. drinking and active as usual; urinating and the occasion passing of very thin urates. But no pooh. I tried cactus; aloe; and pumpkin; wetted down his timothy hey; increased soaking times; bathtub soaks; an even took him for a ride in the truck,,,,no change. My concern was he had eaten something that was causing an impaction. So I made appointment to have x ray at my vets who was not going to be available for a few days. So I ended up doing something I never ever have done before; and that was to added three slices of cucumber; and three chunks of watermelon (his very first taste of any kind of fruit). 48 hours later; he let loose.....alot of pooh. I was relieved and am sure he felt better. Examined the pooh and it seemed normal consistency; except for the first piece. It usually comes out in a long tubular shape (yard burritos). But the first piece seem to have doubled over on itself; ending up being twice as thick as normal; which I am assuming was acting effectively as a plug. Not sure why this happened; and am open to any suggestions that will prevent it in the future. He does get cactus pads about twice a week; and there were no changes in his diet; with the exception of no fresh grass to graze as it has all gone dormant for the winter.
 

NorCal tortoise guy

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the other thing that helps them poo that might be harder to get in a place with a cold winter is lots of walking. I don't know anything about your setup but thought Id add encase its of any help
 
N

no one

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A good thing it is out now!! If it happends again you can also feed some Aloë Vera.
 

eric joranson

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the other thing that helps them poo that might be harder to get in a place with a cold winter is lots of walking. I don't know anything about your setup but thought Id add encase its of any help
Yes I have converted an old cold war bomb shelter built in the early 1950s under the house with its own furnace; its about 50 ft x 30 feet and has plenty of room to walk around. In fact I have three feeding stations I set as far apart from each other to encourage him/her to roam and forage. Still a fraction of the outside enclosed yard.
 

eric joranson

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So cucumber?
I've heard that before. But never had to use it.
not sure if it was the cucumber or the watermelon.....I have never fed either of them to him/her before; but since vet was going to be unavailable for a few days I decided to try both. Was surprised how quickly he/she went after them and gobbled them down; is usually very wary of any new food stuffs. But it will not be part of any regular diet; just something to use if this problem should arise again.
 

Bee62

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If cucumber or water melon, I am glad it worked. :) It was a good idea to feed these food.
 

NorCal tortoise guy

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Yes I have converted an old cold war bomb shelter built in the early 1950s under the house with its own furnace; its about 50 ft x 30 feet and has plenty of room to walk around. In fact I have three feeding stations I set as far apart from each other to encourage him/her to roam and forage. Still a fraction of the outside enclosed yard.
Sounds so cool!
 

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