conflicting info....

[AzizA]

I just got a russian tort a little over a week age. I took him to the vet and she said he needed more protien and suggested I feed him worms or cat food. Most of what I've read says they are herbavores and animal protien is not good for them. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[RedfootsRule]

I don't keep that species, but one thing I know is they should NOT have animal protein. The only species of tortoises that should have animal protein are the forest-type tortoises...Russians are a more grazing species. Your vet is, sadly, very wrong.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

A Russian tortoise does not need worms or cat food. Your vet may have confused this dietary need with that of a box turtle. Vets are humans, they make mistakes

 

[Talka]

No meat, no protein, not now, not EVER.

Just follow this list: http://russiantortoise.net/russiantortoisediet.htm

Then send the list to your vet.

 

[AzizA]

That is what I thought. I just didn't want to not add the protien and make things worse for him without double checking.

 

[sibi]

Good for you Sheldon

 

[kanalomele]

Sadly most vets know extremely little about tortoises and turtles. No Russian needs protein. And males do not have a concave plastron. Almost got into an argument with a vet because he kept insisting my male was a female!

 

[biochemnerd808]

I am glad you checked on here! It makes me want to scream when vets give owners (who have already educated themselves) wrong info about tortoise dietary needs. But then I remind myself that vets spend about 3 minutes in vet school learning about turtles, and most of the rest of the time is spent learning about 'other' animals. I feel blessed to have found a reptile vet who actually has specifically gone out of her way to educate herself on proper care of HERBIVOROUS tortoises.

As said above (I am only reiterating) NO cat food, NO animal protein. Your RT will live a long and happy life eating a wide variety of dark leafy greens.

That is what I thought. I just didn't want to not add the protien and make things worse for him without double checking.

 

[Tom]

Is that your tortoise as your avatar?

If yes, its time for a new vet. Anything else this person has to say about your tortoise is now suspect.

 

[AzizA]

Yes, that is him as my avatar. I already planned on looking for another vet, they are just the only exotics get in my area. I got him off craigslist so I wanted him checked out asap.

 

[mctlong]

I think Heather's right. The vet may be confusing your RT for a box turtle. Very different diets. Its good that you're looking for a new vet.

Hows the tort otherwise? Healthy? Have you chosen a name?

Welcome to the forum!

 

[lynnedit]

Good for you to do your research. Welcome fellow Washingtonian!

Check the vet list on this forum and also on
http://russiantortoise.net/veterinarian_listings.htm
Looks like there is at least one in Tacoma, Wa., on that list.

 

[AzizA]

I named him Herkamer and he has a mild case of worms that I am treating, but other than that she said he looks great.

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[68merc]

fire the vet.

 

[Yvonne G]

Because of its size, many people think a Russian tortoise is a box turtle. Its a common mistake, but I'd still be looking for a vet who is more familiar with tortoises.