First Time Owner Questions!

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

When you take him to the vet for the fecal sample and blood panel, don't consent to anything unnecessary. Especially not any vitamin injections or antibiotics with out a reason.

 

[TammyJ]

When you take him to the vet for the fecal sample and blood panel, don't consent to anything unnecessary. Especially not any vitamin injections or antibiotics with out a reason.

I would say, with or without a reason. Vets who are not experienced with tortoises sometimes use them as an opportunity to experiment and learn. Sometimes these optimistic and opportunistic experiments kill the tortoise.

 

[CutieHappyLife]

I would say, with or without a reason. Vets who are not experienced with tortoises sometimes use them as an opportunity to experiment and learn. Sometimes these optimistic and opportunistic experiments kill the tortoise.

So sad to hear this
I am trying to connect with a vet in the exotic animal clinic in wildlife center and will make sure only fecal test and blood panel will be taken
I noticed there are lots wiggling in the water and I think it’s best to have some professional treatment
Please let me know any other information I should be aware of!!!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

So sad to hear this
I am trying to connect with a vet in the exotic animal clinic in wildlife center and will make sure only fecal test and blood panel will be taken
I noticed there are lots wiggling in the water and I think it’s best to have some professional treatment
Please let me know any other information I should be aware of!!!

If Ivermectin will be suggested for worms treatment, never agree to this. No one should use it with tortoises but, shockingly, some vets do.

For other procedures like vitamin or calcium injections, antibiotics and such, vet should have a really good explanation why it's necessary. "Preventive measure, just in case" is a bad explanation There is a chance, they will offer to do an X-ray - if you don't mind to pay, it makes sense to do one (to see potential bladder stones issues and similar). But it's not urgent, more for the peace of mind.

 

[CutieHappyLife]

If Ivermectin will be suggested for worms treatment, never agree to this. No one should use it with tortoises but, shockingly, some vets do.

For other procedures like vitamin or calcium injections, antibiotics and such, vet should have a really good explanation why it's necessary. "Preventive measure, just in case" is a bad explanation There is a chance, they will offer to do an X-ray - if you don't mind to pay, it makes sense to do one (to see potential bladder stones issues and similar). But it's not urgent, more for the peace of mind.

Thank you so much for advice!! I will definitely keep that in mind when visiting!!
Got him scheduled for tomorrow and hope the result is not that bad!
I changed his dishes and hideout to terracotta ones, he definitely likes them. I am thinking expanding his house to 6’x6’ after everything settles.
He soaks twice daily recently days, one around 11am one around 7pm, and each time with urates and greenish poop in the water, still things wiggling but less. Oh and he never poop in his house
But there is a problem that no matter how various the food is, he only eats 3 small pieces of lettuce, both yesterday and today. I prepared carrot, lettuce, collards, and kale yesterday, and lettuce, collards, cilantro and mustard greens today. After 15minutes he stopped eating, I tried to feed him with my hand, he was not scared but just showed no interest
And the cork bark I bought for him from Amazon arrived today, here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4W4HXGS?tag=exoticpetnetw-20, would it be better adding some?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you so much for advice!! I will definitely keep that in mind when visiting!!
Got him scheduled for tomorrow and hope the result is not that bad!
I changed his dishes and hideout to terracotta ones, he definitely likes them. I am thinking expanding his house to 6’x6’ after everything settles.
He soaks twice daily recently days, one around 11am one around 7pm, and each time with urates and greenish poop in the water, still things wiggling but less. Oh and he never poop in his house
But there is a problem that no matter how various the food is, he only eats 3 small pieces of lettuce, both yesterday and today. I prepared carrot, lettuce, collards, and kale yesterday, and lettuce, collards, cilantro and mustard greens today. After 15minutes he stopped eating, I tried to feed him with my hand, he was not scared but just showed no interest
And the cork bark I bought for him from Amazon arrived today, here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4W4HXGS?tag=exoticpetnetw-20, would it be better adding some?

I would hold off changing substrate now:
If he really has parasites (living worms in feces is a sign of rather high amount, plus greeny stool + poor appetite), it will be better to replace substrate after de-worming to avoid reinfestation.

 

[CutieHappyLife]

I would hold off changing substrate now:
If he really has parasites (living worms in feces is a sign of rather high amount, plus greeny stool + poor appetite), it will be better to replace substrate after de-worming to avoid reinfestation.

Update: I took him to vet today and we did the blood panel and fecal test, only got the blood work back yet. Fortunately, nothing is abnormal and no treatment needed by this time!
The vet also recommended me giving him calcium daily and multivitamin every two weeks. Here are the links:
https://www.chewy.com/rep-cal-calci...z6SghmZcRp44dQDB8BLtV8T9-Y9XnqhYaAkOTEALw_wcB

https://www.chewy.com/repashy-super...czsMmOq7Pc3XbkUjJhSu-8dq6piOqXN0aAsYJEALw_wcB
Would you mind taking a look see if they are good for him? Thank you so much!!!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Glad to know, that blood panel is clear!
1. Calcium powder is good. 1-2 times a week a tiny pinch over greens is enough as your tortoise is not actively growing and not gravid (preparing to lay eggs).
2. This multi-vitamin powder is nice too. Once in a week or two - is okay (no calcium powder or pellets on these days).

And, of course, keep your tortoise on good variet diet.

 

[CutieHappyLife]

Glad to know, that blood panel is clear!
1. Calcium powder is good. 1-2 times a week a tiny pinch over greens is enough as your tortoise is not actively growing and not gravid (preparing to lay eggs).
2. This multi-vitamin powder is nice too. Once in a week or two - is okay (no calcium powder or pellets on these days).

And, of course, keep your tortoise on good variet diet.

Thank you! They just arrived today!
The fecal test shows negative!!!! Yay!! I think I am just too nervous about his anxiety.
He started to eat regularly yesterday and today, finished all the greens i prepared!!
Started to work on expanding his enclosure!!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

That's good to know! Keep us updated on him and his new enclosure!

 

[CutieHappyLife]

That's good to know! Keep us updated on him and his new enclosure!

Cutie and his new home!!!
He is definitely happier everyday, eating, drinking, jogging, and climbing hahah
But I am having a new challenge now. He seems only eat when I feed by hand, if I left the food on the stones or in the plate, he just won’t eat. I tried two days just leaving the food there, it is obvious that he tried to eat, at least dragged it, but just failed to really eat it.
I know hand feeding is not a good habit but is there a way I can stop this behavior? Last time the vet said his beak is not well balanced or something might need trimming if gets worse, is this related?
Thank you so much!!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

View attachment 382418
Cutie and his new home!!!
He is definitely happier everyday, eating, drinking, jogging, and climbing hahah
But I am having a new challenge now. He seems only eat when I feed by hand, if I left the food on the stones or in the plate, he just won’t eat. I tried two days just leaving the food there, it is obvious that he tried to eat, at least dragged it, but just failed to really eat it.
I know hand feeding is not a good habit but is there a way I can stop this behavior? Last time the vet said his beak is not well balanced or something might need trimming if gets worse, is this related?
Thank you so much!!

Aw bless him!! So happy to hear it!
Yes this could be down to his beak by sounds of it if the vet thought it was overgrown, don’t suppose you have a close up photo of his face?

 

[CutieHappyLife]

Aw bless him!! So happy to hear it!
Yes this could be down to his beak by sounds of it if the vet thought it was overgrown, don’t suppose you have a close up photo of his face?

Yesss!!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Yesss!!

Yeah definitely has an overgrown beak bless him, don’t worry this has happened over time not under your care, you can either file it yourself if you feel confident enough(I suggest looking it up on here) or as it’s a first time, you could get the vet to show you how to do it, this should hopefully help with his eatingthen moving forward feeding on a slate or terracotta clay saucer will help naturally file it down