Baby Horsefield Help

[bohn]

I recently bought a 5 month old horsefield tortoise 6 days ago along with a tortoise table.

When we got it home and set up everything was alright but it had 1 eye shut. It managed to eat the day after and go the toilet after a bath but since has not eaten and has both its eyes shut. We have been bathing it daily and preparing food but all it seems to do is sleep all day.

It's opened 1 of its eyes a couple times but not for long. We originally just had a heat bulb however our d3 UV combined bulb (80 watt) came today and we have set that up

The temperatures have been around 30 c constantly on the hot end and he has a hiding spot which it uses sometimes and we keep the light on all the time as we were instructed to do so.

Hopefully someone can help with some advice, thanks.

 

[TechnoCheese]

Welcome to the forum!
Could we see pictures of your tortoise and enclosure?
What is your substrate?
What are you feeding?
How big is the enclosure?

 

[Ben02]

When he opened his eye did you notice any pus or discharge

 

[bohn]

The enclosure is 18 by 30 inches however the back is a hide with a doorway so we were told not to allow it in there until older (in case of getting too cold.)

The substrate is Doctor Grow which the seller gave us for the time being and we are currently trying to feed dark green and red lettuces along with sliced carrot which was made it eat along with sprinkled calcium powder.

 

[bohn]

When he opened his eye did you notice any pus or discharge

No, I didn't. we thought his other eye may of been irritated so we tried to gently wipe it and nothing then we thought he may of scratched it and thought it was swollen but we have no idea.

 

[JoesMum]

That substrate looks very dry. Your enclosure is wide open so temperatures and UVB can’t be regulated.

And the eye problem may be caused by your UVB - is it compact like a low energy light bulb? They’re often the cause of eye problems.

I recommend you read the TFO care guides and compare them with your setup.

They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Baby Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

 

[Ben02]

Has it moved at all in its enclosure? I recommend next time you bathe it gently with your hands sprinkle some Luke warm water over its head. I don't see why it's not allowed in the hide,it might enjoy exploring once we figure out what's happening. Let me know how you get on.

 

[bohn]

That substrate looks very dry. Your enclosure is wide open so temperatures and UVB can’t be regulated.

And the eye problem may be caused by your UVB - is it compact like a low energy light bulb? They’re often the cause of eye problems.

I recommend you read the TFO care guides and compare them with your setup.

They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Baby Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

We were initially just using a heating bulb however we have started using this today https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reptile-Me...TF8&qid=1540044712&sr=8-4&keywords=d3+uv+bulb.

Thanks, I will be sure to look through them and research.

 

[bohn]

Has it moved at all in its enclosure? I recommend next time you bathe it gently with your hands sprinkle some Luke warm water over its head. I don't see why it's not allowed in the hide,it might enjoy exploring once we figure out what's happening. Let me know how you get on.

It's moved about quite a bit and I will be sure to try this on it's next bath.

 

[Ben02]

That's great, slow progress but still progress

 

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings

I would be a bit concerned with the substrate especially since it has UNID slow release fertilizers present...

From Dr Grow website -
Potato Grow Bag Kit
Excellent for new potatoes, show growing potatoes or late crop, the Doctor Grow potato growing kit comes complete with a 31cm in diameter x 33cm deep grow bag, 32-34L of compost and special slow release potato fertiliser designed to maximize your potato crop.

 

[bohn]

Greetings

I would be a bit concerned with the substrate especially since it has UNID slow release fertilizers present...

From Dr Grow website -
Potato Grow Bag Kit
Excellent for new potatoes, show growing potatoes or late crop, the Doctor Grow potato growing kit comes complete with a 31cm in diameter x 33cm deep grow bag, 32-34L of compost and special slow release potato fertiliser designed to maximize your potato crop.

My mistake my girlfriend informed me that the bag actually contained coco coir and that was the bag used to transport it.

 

[bohn]

I have re arranged his enclosure for now so it has a basking spot with the d3 UVB bulb. I'll be needing to get the correct thermostat still and have now give it a constant supply of water unlike before as the seller said it would get enough hydration through bathing which I was unsure about. I still need another bulb for heating but will this do for the time being. I have also wet the subtrate. How often should it be drinking as I don't know if it has done yet.

Am I correct to be leaving the light on 24/7 or should it be given time with it off although worried about getting too cold.

 

[Cathie G]

I have re arranged his enclosure for now so it has a basking spot with the d3 UVB bulb. I'll be needing to get the correct thermostat still and have now give it a constant supply of water unlike before as the seller said it would get enough hydration through bathing which I was unsure about. I still need another bulb for heating but will this do for the time being. I have also wet the subtrate. How often should it be drinking as I don't know if it has done yet.

Am I correct to be leaving the light on 24/7 or should it be given time with it off although worried about getting too cold.

Everyone needs photo. Daylight and darkness. Tortoises are the same but follow the temperature and humidity guidelines for the age of your animal. Tortoise Forum knows better then me on that subject however...I don't think anyone would like constant daylight.

 

[Carol S]

You need a ceramic heat emitter bulb (which does not put out light, only heat) with a thermostat to keep the enclosure warm at night.

Below is a link for the ceramic heat emitter and the thermostat. You can check some different websites to get the best price such as Petmountain.com or Chewy.com.

I would also add several fake plants which the tortoise will enjoy hiding under.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F9CV7K/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I15S6OM/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[JoesMum]

We were initially just using a heating bulb however we have started using this today https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reptile-Me...TF8&qid=1540044712&sr=8-4&keywords=d3+uv+bulb.

Thanks, I will be sure to look through them and research.

Good. That’s known as a MVB (Mercury Vapour Bulb) This gives off both UVB and heat for basking. Be aware that these bulbs stop giving off UVB long before they actually blow; typically after around 6 months. You either need a UVB meter, so you know when this happens, or you need to replace it every 6 months... or get a UVB fluorescent tube fitting to work alongside it in 6 months time.

The MVB must hang vertically and not be at an angle. The temperature must be 35-37C/95-100F directly underneath. Don’t trust clamp lamp holders; they tend to fail and the falling lamp could start a fire. This lamp must be on for 12-14 hours a day (use a timer so you don’t have to be there); your tort needs darkness at night.

Get yourself a temperature gun thermometer like this one to measure temperatures accurately
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-Zanmax-Non-Contact-Temperature-Indication/dp/B07CJ1SJYX/

You need a ceramic heat emitter bulb (which does not put out light, only heat) with a thermostat to keep the enclosure warm at night.

Below is a link for the ceramic heat emitter and the thermostat. You can check some different websites to get the best price such as Petmountain.com or Chewy.com.

I would also add several fake plants which the tortoise will enjoy hiding under.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F9CV7K/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I15S6OM/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I’ll translate these into British

A thermostat:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NEO-Vivarium-Thermostat-Temperature-Controller/dp/B00P2EWL6U

A CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NEO-Vivarium-Thermostat-Temperature-Controller/dp/B00P2EWL6U

For this to be effective, you will need to cover the enclosure (leaving a gap round the lights if necessary) The CHE can run 24/7 as the thermostat ensures it only cuts in when necessary.

Use a lamp holder suitable for ceramic lamps as they get VERY hot and melt plastic!

 

[Ben02]

Has he had a bath today?

 

[bohn]

You need a ceramic heat emitter bulb (which does not put out light, only heat) with a thermostat to keep the enclosure warm at night.

Below is a link for the ceramic heat emitter and the thermostat. You can check some different websites to get the best price such as Petmountain.com or Chewy.com.

I would also add several fake plants which the tortoise will enjoy hiding under.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F9CV7K/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I15S6OM/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

thankyou, I'll look into it and get those.

Good. That’s known as a MVB (Mercury Vapour Bulb) This gives off both UVB and heat for basking. Be aware that these bulbs stop giving off UVB long before they actually blow; typically after around 6 months. You either need a UVB meter, so you know when this happens, or you need to replace it every 6 months... or get a UVB fluorescent tube fitting to work alongside it in 6 months time.

The MVB must hang vertically and not be at an angle. The temperature must be 35-37C/95-100F directly underneath. Don’t trust clamp lamp holders; they tend to fail and the falling lamp could start a fire. This lamp must be on for 12-14 hours a day (use a timer so you don’t have to be there); your tort needs darkness at night.

Get yourself a temperature gun thermometer like this one to measure temperatures accurately
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermometer-Zanmax-Non-Contact-Temperature-Indication/dp/B07CJ1SJYX/


I’ll translate these into British

A thermostat:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NEO-Vivarium-Thermostat-Temperature-Controller/dp/B00P2EWL6U

A CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NEO-Vivarium-Thermostat-Temperature-Controller/dp/B00P2EWL6U

For this to be effective, you will need to cover the enclosure (leaving a gap round the lights if necessary) The CHE can run 24/7 as the thermostat ensures it only cuts in when necessary.

Use a lamp holder suitable for ceramic lamps as they get VERY hot and melt plastic!

Thankyou, we turned his light off last night for the first time so hopefully will start to see improvement. I'll be purchasing those asap although I have a wooden table so any ideas of a suitable cover?

Has he had a bath today?

I'll be bathing it shortly so will let you know how it goes.

 

[JoesMum]

Some people use a greenhouse tent thing like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/AHOME-Greenhouse-Flowerpot-Gardening-Backyard/dp/B01NBKWAVB/

 

[bohn]

Has he had a bath today?

I gave it a bath and tried to poor a few drops over it's head and it hissed but still no open eyes just went to the corner of the bath box.

How do I know if my tortoise is enjoying its bath?