dry tortoise shell?

[Yingg]

I meant less Mazuri. When I had the same issue, Tom recommended me to to stop feeding the pellets all together. Through this process of elimination I was able to figure out that the pellets were the cause of his gritty urates.

Oh! that makes sense. I will stop mazuri. I've been begging my friends at school for some tortoise edible plants. Hopefully I can make a small garden that my mom won't uproot, so I can avoid these pellets.

(too much protein?)

 

[Yingg]

I didn't, since it seemed like the pellets were the reason my tortoise was still having gritty urates. I switched to only feeding pellets lower in protein.

I heard that timothy hay is okay in terms of protein, but something tells me soybean hulls may be too high in protein. I am a bit confused as she almost always avoids the mazuri part of her food, she only eats a tiny bit. Do you think this tiny bit could still affect her?

 

[Tom]

How often have you fed Mazuri? @Tom do you think Mazuri could have a part in bladder stone in this case?

Which type of Mazuri? The LS is lower. The original 5M21 could do it in a dehydrated tortoise.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Which type of Mazuri? The LS is lower. The original 5M21 could do it in a dehydrated tortoise.

Yingg has been feeding LS every other day, but the tortoise eats very little.

 

[Yingg]

Which type of Mazuri? The LS is lower. The original 5M21 could do it in a dehydrated tortoise.

LS, yes. She eats very little.

I am concerned because I want her to be a healthy tortoise and happy. I'm trying my best for a year, until I move for college.

 

[Yingg]

should I stop giving her calcium supplements for now?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

should I stop giving her calcium supplements for now?

They are not related to bladder stones so no problem giving them. Try to give supplements on "non-Mazuri" days.

 

[Yingg]

They are not related to bladder stones so no problem giving them. Try to give supplements on "non-Mazuri" days.

oh okay thank you

 

[Yingg]

has anyone seen their tortoise drink water?

i've been really busy these past three four days so i couldn't soak, but she had her dose of watery cucumber with extra water.

i'll try to soak her today.

i've never seen her drink though

 

[Yingg]

the watery cucumber, pumpkin, and some salad mix

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

has anyone seen their tortoise drink water?

i've been really busy these past three four days so i couldn't soak, but she had her dose of watery cucumber with extra water.

i'll try to soak her today.

i've never seen her drink though

A lot of folks don’t actually catch them in the act, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t used, plus when you soak her, she can absorb through her cloacaI wouldn’t worry that you don’t actually see her drink, keep offering fresh water every day anyway

the watery cucumber, pumpkin, and some salad mix

I’m sure that’s helping to keep her hydrated

 

[Yingg]

A lot of folks don’t actually catch them in the act, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t used, plus when you soak her, she can absorb through her cloacaI wouldn’t worry that you don’t actually see her drink, keep offering fresh water every day anyway

I’m sure that’s helping to keep her hydrated

oh okay that makes sense thank you! I'm at home now (currently midnight) so I might have to soak her tomorrow... ugh I feel so bad

 

[jipsybish]

Whats your humidity level at?

 

[Yingg]

Whats your humidity level at?

it's at 35-45 but i feel like that's wrong because the substrate is quite literally wet (the surface isn't, but if you stick your finger in, it's damp.)

 

[Yingg]

i empty like 6 water bottles into her enclosure every other day

 

[jipsybish]

i empty like 6 water bottles into her enclosure every other day

Well you dont want to be dumping water into the substrate..(your going to create mold/eventually shell rot) what are you using for substrate?? How big is your tort & enclosure?? What you really need to do, is invest in a warm mist humidifier (fogger can work too) but personally, i feel like the warm mist humidifier distributes a more consistent//good amount (not too much) of moisture within the air.. also, ill screenshot this gage i got that i really like, & its right on with my other temp units/guns ect.. its cheap, & not only tells you room temp, but whether humidity level is "too dry" "comfortable" or "too wet" also showing %

 

[jipsybish]

Well you dont want to be dumping water into the substrate..(your going to create mold/eventually shell rot) what are you using for substrate?? How big is your tort & enclosure?? What you really need to do, is invest in a warm mist humidifier (fogger can work too) but personally, i feel like the warm mist humidifier distributes a more consistent//good amount (not too much) of moisture within the air.. also, ill screenshot this gage i got that i really like, & its right on with my other temp units/guns ect.. its cheap, & not only tells you room temp, but whether humidity level is "too dry" "comfortable" or "too wet" also showing %

 

[jipsybish]

Originally, i just bought this cuz it was cheap, and would be able to hang & be seen on wifi camera on my phone; but, i actually ended up REALLY liking it.. my tortoises larger.. 140-ish lbs?? Hes wintering in a VERY WELL BUILT/INSULATED 10x12' "shed" that i made into a full blown house w/ his mommy/kitty brothers pics in frames on wall, blackout blinds/curtains, self reg heater, fans, camera, radio, ect so idk if this particular piece would work for you or not.. depends on size of your enclosure.. but whichever temp piece you do use, id make sure it has humidity gage on it as well; AND, ALWAYSSSSS use a temp gun (w/lazer) to dbl check your temp fixture is accurate.. same w/enclosure.. check temp beneath basking bulb, in his hide, HIM, always keep eye on your temps everywhere!!! A simple cold "draft" can cause an upper RI that WILL require an exotics vet+meds.. temps /humidity/proper lighting is very important.. CRUCIAL

 

[COmtnLady]

Foggers ands misters put too large a droplet-size particles of water in the habitat. It promotes respiratory problems. Misters and foggers are not good to use. It is much better to pour water into the corners of the habitat and it evaporates to create humidity.

I don't remember what kind of tortoise yours is, but 40-45% is really low humidity. If it is a Red Foot that is about half what it should be. Did you ever get your habitat covered? That would help keep the humidity and heat in.

 

[jipsybish]

Foggers ands misters put too large a droplet-size particles of water in the habitat. It promotes respiratory problems. Misters and foggers are not good to use. It is much better to pour water into the corners of the habitat and it evaporates to create humidity.

I don't remember what kind of tortoise yours is, but 40-45% is really low humidity. If it is a Red Foot that is about half what it should be. Did you ever get your habitat covered? That would help keep the humidity and heat in.

Sorry.. im just seeing this for 1st time.. didnt know it was a dif breed or the size.. i did ask..see, mines a full grown sulcata.. with an actual house.. its not an "enclosure w/ substrate ect at all (house plank flooring ect). therefore warm mist humidifiers work really great for our setups/pets