Pure Tortoise Power
Active Member
Hey all. So I have been noticing recently Lucky sometimes has bubbles at the nostril. But only during and after soaks. I know bubbles can mean they may have respiratory issues. What can I do about that?
Bubbles?
- Thread starter Pure Tortoise Power
- Start date
Pure Tortoise Power
Active Member
Temps are 27 34 38(celcius) humidity Middle to high 80s. It has a hide on the warm side. Enclosure size of 32x19 (in inches)
Pure Tortoise Power
Active Member
Does anyone have any advice?
Bubbles during and after soaks are nothing to worry about. Tortoise respiratory systems are not connected in the same way as humans. The nose and mouth are directly connected and water gets in the nostrils as the tortoise drinks.
If your tortoise is active and eating as usual then there is absolutely nothing to worry about
If your tortoise is active and eating as usual then there is absolutely nothing to worry about
Pure Tortoise Power
Active Member
I see. But in case it does have some respiratory infections, what should I do?Bubbles during and after soaks are nothing to worry about. Tortoise respiratory systems are not connected in the same way as humans. The nose and mouth are directly connected and water gets in the nostrils as the tortoise drinks.
If your tortoise is active and eating as usual then there is absolutely nothing to worry about
I am 99% sure it doesn’t have a Respiratory Infection. Bubbles during or immediately after a soak are completely normal.
A tort with a respiratory infection will become sluggish, stop eating and have mucus constantly streaming from its nose. If that happens you need to find a vet experienced with tortoises. General cat and dog type vets can do more harm than good.
RI is most likely triggered by poor husbandry, particularly cold and damp conditions. So make sure you have basking at 35-38C/95-100F directly under the lamp with the lamp hanging vertically (not at an angle). The basking lamp and the UVB source must be on for 12 hours a day with complete darkness at night.
You have a baby I think, so a closed chamber (a lid on the enclosure) is essential to maintain humidity. The ambient (general) air temperature must not drop below 27C/80F day or night. Again a closed chamber helps you achieve this. It is impossible without a lid on the enclosure. You will probably need a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE), which must be used with a thermostat, to maintain the temperature. A CHE gives off heat but no light.
Your baby sulcata is going to grow rapidly into a 50kg/110lb bulldozer that will need to be kept outside. You need to start planning for a much bigger floor area on you indoor enclosure now and accept that in a few years you will not be able to keep Lucky inside.
Post photos of the enclosure and lighting if you want us to look it over and recommend any improvements.
Please do read, or read again, the TFO care sheets as they ae 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.
H.ow to raise a healthy Sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
For those that have a young Sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
A tort with a respiratory infection will become sluggish, stop eating and have mucus constantly streaming from its nose. If that happens you need to find a vet experienced with tortoises. General cat and dog type vets can do more harm than good.
RI is most likely triggered by poor husbandry, particularly cold and damp conditions. So make sure you have basking at 35-38C/95-100F directly under the lamp with the lamp hanging vertically (not at an angle). The basking lamp and the UVB source must be on for 12 hours a day with complete darkness at night.
You have a baby I think, so a closed chamber (a lid on the enclosure) is essential to maintain humidity. The ambient (general) air temperature must not drop below 27C/80F day or night. Again a closed chamber helps you achieve this. It is impossible without a lid on the enclosure. You will probably need a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE), which must be used with a thermostat, to maintain the temperature. A CHE gives off heat but no light.
Your baby sulcata is going to grow rapidly into a 50kg/110lb bulldozer that will need to be kept outside. You need to start planning for a much bigger floor area on you indoor enclosure now and accept that in a few years you will not be able to keep Lucky inside.
Post photos of the enclosure and lighting if you want us to look it over and recommend any improvements.
Please do read, or read again, the TFO care sheets as they ae 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.
H.ow to raise a healthy Sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
For those that have a young Sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
Pure Tortoise Power
Active Member
I've already read those threads.I am 99% sure it doesn’t have a Respiratory Infection. Bubbles during or immediately after a soak are completely normal.
A tort with a respiratory infection will become sluggish, stop eating and have mucus constantly streaming from its nose. If that happens you need to find a vet experienced with tortoises. General cat and dog type vets can do more harm than good.
RI is most likely triggered by poor husbandry, particularly cold and damp conditions. So make sure you have basking at 35-38C/95-100F directly under the lamp with the lamp hanging vertically (not at an angle). The basking lamp and the UVB source must be on for 12 hours a day with complete darkness at night.
You have a baby I think, so a closed chamber (a lid on the enclosure) is essential to maintain humidity. The ambient (general) air temperature must not drop below 27C/80F day or night. Again a closed chamber helps you achieve this. It is impossible without a lid on the enclosure. You will probably need a Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE), which must be used with a thermostat, to maintain the temperature. A CHE gives off heat but no light.
Your baby sulcata is going to grow rapidly into a 50kg/110lb bulldozer that will need to be kept outside. You need to start planning for a much bigger floor area on you indoor enclosure now and accept that in a few years you will not be able to keep Lucky inside.
Post photos of the enclosure and lighting if you want us to look it over and recommend any improvements.
Please do read, or read again, the TFO care sheets as they ae 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.
H.ow to raise a healthy Sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
For those that have a young Sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
The frightening thing is that there's no bet with enough experience with torts around my area. I found one that would be the closest, but still really far. And their website says they have vets that are experienced with exotic pets, and nothing else. Very vague info. Idk whether to trust them or not.
One more thing, are there any meds I can buy from local pharmacies and can be easily applied by myself? How do I use them?
Antibiotics are needed to treat RI. However, you must use the right antibiotic for the specific bug that your tort has and you must use it in the correct dose for the correct period. That’s why you need a vet to prescribe them.
Using the wrong antibiotic won’t do any good at all and will only help to contribute to the global resistance to antibiotics caused by their overuse. I went 40 years before I needed a vet. With the correct care, you should be able to do the same. Here in the UK, you cannot buy any antibiotics over the counter. They must be prescribed by a doctor or vet.
Using the wrong antibiotic won’t do any good at all and will only help to contribute to the global resistance to antibiotics caused by their overuse. I went 40 years before I needed a vet. With the correct care, you should be able to do the same. Here in the UK, you cannot buy any antibiotics over the counter. They must be prescribed by a doctor or vet.
Pure Tortoise Power
Active Member
Ah OK. Thx for your responses.
