I need help with my baby Horsefield Tortoise

Sinead2011

New Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Leicester
My tortoise is 12 months old, all of a sudden he has stopped eating and won’t pee or poo, he just snuggles in the corner of his bed the whole time.
Should I take him to the vets..???
 

Sinead2011

New Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Leicester
Thank you, any advice would be great ?? I have the heat lamp on for 12 hours a day 8am-8pm. Then I have his heat mat on 8pm-8am to keep him warm at night.
(I’m saying him but it could be a she)
 

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Sinead2011

New Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Leicester
Thank you, any advice would be great ?? I have the heat lamp on for 12 hours a day 8am-8pm. Then I have his heat mat on 8pm-8am to keep him warm at night.
(I’m saying him but it could be a she)
I’ve had him since December 23rd 2020.
 

TheTattooedTortoise

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2021
Messages
142
Location (City and/or State)
North Wales, UK
Right,
Firstly although you have a thermostat in use it would appear you don't actually know an exact tempreture your running in various parts of the enclosure (Warm side/Cool side/basking area/night...
So you could do with adding at least one thermometer with a probe.

Second.
I also notice you didn't mention a UV light, so I assume you either don't have one or are using a 2in1 mercury vapour style bulb in that heat lamp?
They very often burn too hot and bright while giving either too much or not enough UV output.
They can also burn your tortoises eyes causing them to hide away from it.
A t5 HO uv tube light is a much better option.

Third.
A small open top tort table is going to naturally be low in humidity, specially using that substrate type.
Good humidity is imperative to healthy tortoise growth so when you buy your thermometer, look for one that measures humidity too.

I'd get rid of those compressed straw pellets, they're far too dry and are a struggle to walk on and burrow into.
I'd advise a mix of wickes sterilized topsoil, coco coir mixed 2 parts coco to 1 part soil and orchid/repti bark to top off.
They will be much better, allow proper burrowing behaviour and hold moisture/humidity a hell of a lot better. You should have enough substrate for the tort to burrow himself completely.

Lastly.
Although your tort is still small, horsfields require a lot of room as they grow so at some point in the not too distant future your going to need a bigger space for him to roam.
Bear in mind, if an enclosure has no visual stimulation, anything to explore, graze on, climb, has no depth to burrow your tort is going to be pretty depressed and likely will just eat/sleep hide.
Use the search feature and take a look at horsfield/Russian tortoise care sheet. It has lots of solid info and advice.
 

Sinead2011

New Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Leicester
Right,
Firstly although you have a thermostat in use it would appear you don't actually know an exact tempreture your running in various parts of the enclosure (Warm side/Cool side/basking area/night...
So you could do with adding at least one thermometer with a probe.

Second.
I also notice you didn't mention a UV light, so I assume you either don't have one or are using a 2in1 mercury vapour style bulb in that heat lamp?
They very often burn too hot and bright while giving either too much or not enough UV output.
They can also burn your tortoises eyes causing them to hide away from it.
A t5 HO uv tube light is a much better option.

Third.
A small open top tort table is going to naturally be low in humidity, specially using that substrate type.
Good humidity is imperative to healthy tortoise growth so when you buy your thermometer, look for one that measures humidity too.

I'd get rid of those compressed straw pellets, they're far too dry and are a struggle to walk on and burrow into.
I'd advise a mix of wickes sterilized topsoil, coco coir mixed 2 parts coco to 1 part soil and orchid/repti bark to top off.
They will be much better, allow proper burrowing behaviour and hold moisture/humidity a hell of a lot better. You should have enough substrate for the tort to burrow himself completely.

Lastly.
Although your tort is still small, horsfields require a lot of room as they grow so at some point in the not too distant future your going to need a bigger space for him to roam.
Bear in mind, if an enclosure has no visual stimulation, anything to explore, graze on, climb, has no depth to burrow your tort is going to be pretty depressed and likely will just eat/sleep hide.
Use the search feature and take a look at horsfield/Russian tortoise care sheet. It has lots of solid info and advice.
Thank you ? I’m taking Nugget to see the exotic pet vet tomorrow evening just to be on the safe side. I will definitely take your advice and get a thermometer and change his bedding. I will also look into a better enclosure. I really appreciate your advice.
 

TheTattooedTortoise

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2021
Messages
142
Location (City and/or State)
North Wales, UK
Your welcome!
Ok, well just be mindful that not all exotic specialists are tortoise trained but are willing to 'learn at your expense'.
Don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if your unsure.
If you've got him on a solid diet, and his temps, humidity and enclosure are on point then he will be a happy chappy!
I'd also recommend daily soaks for 30 mins in warm water every morning to get him fired up and stimulate his appetite and poop/pee functions!
 

Sinead2011

New Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
5
Location (City and/or State)
Leicester
Your welcome!
Ok, well just be mindful that not all exotic specialists are tortoise trained but are willing to 'learn at your expense'.
Don't hesitate to seek a second opinion if your unsure.
If you've got him on a solid diet, and his temps, humidity and enclosure are on point then he will be a happy chappy!
I'd also recommend daily soaks for 30 mins in warm water every morning to get him fired up and stimulate his appetite and poop/pee functions!
Thank you ?
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
Hi and welcome,
How long is it since your tort ate? If he isn't eating he won't poop. He won't eat if he is too cold and needs uvb and space to roam to digest and absorb nutrients etc Most tort problems are because of things that we do or don't do for them. This is the most up to date careheet you need to put that right.
Read that and see what changes you need to make.

The pellets are too dry for a Russian, they like to dig in deep moist (not wet) substrate so change that asap - the caresheet will give you better options. It will also tell you if the right temps for your baby. The water dish needs to be bigger so that they can self soak - tarracotta plant saucers sunk level with the surface of the substrate will be easier for your tort to access and exit safely.

Is the bulb an all in one MVB? They are convenient but have been found to dry and damage shells, the UVB output also fades quickly so they need replacing regularly even of the light is still working . T5 HO tubes are generally recommended now with a separate heat source like and Arcadia flood bulb for basking.

What are you using the thermostat with? I have the same but use mine with a CHE for additional and night heat when it's cold. Using a reliable thermometer (not the dial types the pet shops sell) You need to check your 4 temps -warm side cool side, basking and ambient. A digital temp gun is good for spot checking temps at tort level, and a digital thermometer/hygrometer with a probe will help you keep an eye on temps and humidity. It is difficult to control temps and humidity with open tables - large vivs are better for babies or you could consider getting a portable mini greenhouse to place over the table, but he will need more space.

What do you feed your tort and do you use any supplements?

It's good you have found an exotics vet but don't let the vet give any vitamin shots as these can do more harm than good and with a good diet torts shouldn't need those; they should only offer antibiotics if they know what is wrong.

My sister lives in Leics and I believe there is a tortoise association in Blaby but you'll get the most up to date care advice on the forum here.
 

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