Beak, Vets, Red flags

[Cathie G]

Holding the tort in a towel may help you hold it. Shape your fingers in a v and that prevents the neck returning. Little at at time is the golden rule. Feed on a largish terracotta plant dish which acts like a nail file.

I love that idea with the towel. If I can't maybe my vet would. I'm afraid I'll hurt my tortoises neck by holding to tight.

 

[COmtnLady]

I've posted this before, but this is what my tort's nails look like. I have never had to clip or file them because I use terracotta dishes.

 

[COmtnLady]

Well today I tried the terra cotta plant dish and Sapphire doesn't like it. I couldn't find a flat one so I'll have to find something different. He loves climbing on rocks but not necessarily his food tile. So I'm going to turn the old tile upside down until I do. It's rougher kind of like an emery board. I just worry that it's more porous and could harbor bacteria.

What about turning the terracotta dish upside down and making it level with the surface of your substrate - basically a round flat thing (s)he can walk across like a tile until (s)he is used to it.

 

[Sarah2020]

Tortoise hate change but will adapt. Please persevere and it will help.

 

[Cathie G]

What about turning the terracotta dish upside down and making it level with the surface of your substrate - basically a round flat thing (s)he can walk across like a tile until (s)he is used to it.

I may try that. I did find a tile that might work for 78¢ but he might enjoy that too. His eating area isn't in the substrate so it would be like climbing another rock. He loves climbing on the rocks he has. He will park himself in various ways on them to get some air all down under . It's adorable when he uses them as a pillow. I also have some flat rocks from the Niagara Falls area that I totally forgot about until this thread. Wow TFO strikes again I love this sight!!!

 

[Cathie G]

What about turning the terracotta dish upside down and making it level with the surface of your substrate - basically a round flat thing (s)he can walk across like a tile until (s)he is used to it.

Happy birthday to you

 

[RainsOn]

Got it covered!
Digger's shell shows he is getting plenty of humidity from damp underlying substrait, outdoor habitat and regular baths (he loves to go swimming). Three months of the winter are spent in brumation. (We run humidifier in house during winter or I get nose bleeds.)
We fired up the dremmel a couple days ago and I took off a little of the overgrowth.
Now, we are on hold waiting to see if the new terra cotta dishes help before trying that ordeal again.
Got new terra cotta dishes for water and food. He is drinking more and sleeps in the food dish waiting for his next treat - peas; which I have to limit. "Eat your greens or no dessert".
Thanks everyone for all the advice.
Will report back later.
All is well, all is well, all is well.