Infection?? sulcata

[lovesulcata]

Hello, I want to ask, I am currently using a coco peat block bedding for my sulcata, but after a month, I realized that my tort can't stay still, always scratching the cage even though it has been fed, soaked and warm. Then I tried to move it to another box that doesn't have any substrate, unfortunately, he just calmed down and slept there. I'm confused why he's like that, And today I checked his body, (check the picture) I asked Google what this is and why, they said it's a fungal infection? because the cage bedding is too damp and the pollen triggers itching and bacteria on the feet. What should I do? change the substrate?

 

[Tom]

After a soak, try to remove that stuff with a soft bristle toothbrush or a Q tip. If it doesn't easily wipe off, it's probably shedding skin. It is not a fungal infection.

The substrate needs to be lightly damp, and coco coir needs to be hand packed to make it firmer. Its should not be sopping wet.

Pollen does not make tortoises itch, and it does not infect their feet with bacteria. That is ridiculous. Wild animals, like our tortoises, don't have allergies the way we do, or our domesticated animals do. Can you imagine a bird or a gazelle sneezing from pollen? It would be like ringing a dinner bell for every predator in ear shot.

Orchid bark is the best substrate. If you can't get that over there, then coco coir can work too. You should only need substrate and an indoor enclosure for about the first year. After that, they should love outside on the native dirt in a safe enclosure with a temperature controlled dry shelter for night time and rainy days.

 

[TammyJ]

Please post more pictures of your tortoise in the enclosure and tell us about the conditions of care, like size of enclosure, temperature, lights, humidity level and diet?
You can apply triple antibiotic cream to that spot and watch to see if it starts to heal.

 

[mark1]

imo, i'd treat that as an infection...... i'd put povidone iodine or betadine on it once and then 2% chlorhexidine on it until it dried up..... i wouldn't use an antibiotic ointment, in this picture it looks like it needs to dry up to heal........

captive wild animals do get allergies.....