Hello from MA

[tisci02]

Hello! I am a nanny & grad student in MA & am here to do as much research as possible before getting a Russian tortoise. I had one as a teen & she was thriving, until we took her to a local vet who claimed to handle exotic animals. He gave her a bunch of shots & told me I was doing everything wrong. I figured maybe he knew more than the books I read or the internet, so I changed her substrate to shredded newspaper which she proceeded to eat, causing an impaction & her unfortunate passing. I do not have the proper space for a nice setup at the moment, so I am soaking up all the knowledge here. I hope to eventually get a well started baby. I'm a bit intimidated by how fragile a hatchling could be.

 

[no one]

Hello and Welcome!! You will find all the information you will need here.

 

[JoesMum]

Hello and welcome

TFO exists because the advice out on the internet and books and even from vets, pet stores and breeders is frequently outdated or just plain wrong.

I recommend you read the TFO care guides if you haven't already

They're written by species experts working hard to put things straight.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Baby Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

 

[tisci02]

Hello and welcome

TFO exists because the advice out on the internet and books and even from vets, pet stores and breeders is frequently outdated or just plain wrong.

I recommend you read the TFO care guides if you haven't already

They're written by species experts working hard to put things straight.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Baby Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/

Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

Thank you! I'm glad TFO is here to correct all that. I've started the care guides & also have them bookmarked to come back to, as it will likely be at least 6 months to a year before I'm ready to jump in.

 

[Yvonne G]

Welcome!

I'm so sorry for what you went through with that ignorant vet. They mean well, but really should not give info out when they know next to nothing about the animal. There are some really good tortoise vets out there, and then there are some that act like they know, but really don't. Too bad you had to find one like you did.

 

[RosemaryDW]

Welcome to the forum! Russians are the best.

 

[Grandpa Turtle 144]

Hi

 

[tisci02]

Welcome!

I'm so sorry for what you went through with that ignorant vet. They mean well, but really should not give info out when they know next to nothing about the animal. There are some really good tortoise vets out there, and then there are some that act like they know, but really don't. Too bad you had to find one like you did.

It's ok. After him being negligent with a few other animals I knew of, I decided it would be my job to let anyone I know with an "exotic" pet not to see him. He literally bills himself as an exotic vet & then misinforms & essentially causes them to die. 3 ferrets & my tortoise.. I will definitely be making some calls to see who can treat tortoises around her before I purchase. I'm also hoping to get one from a breeder on here, so at least I know they'll be started off right

 

[PJay]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.