This could happen if you measure basking zone temperature. Heating elements emit some amount of infrared radiation (some more, some less) which passes through the air and heats solid objects around it.The temperature is set to 88 and ambient is 87 not sure how the floor is 97?
The thermometer on the floor of his enclosure is reading 91°Not at shell level. On the floor where the tortoise's plastron is touching. Just lay the thermometer on its back on the floor over on the cool side.
Yikes... soaking is maybe 20% of being hydrated from what I observe. Keeping humidity and the shell moist is one thing but their internal organs need water.
These things drink... if you're not seeing them drink at least every other day and about 12-16oz of water at a time then it is too little. Stump will drink a 16oz bottle of water in his dish in one go. No stones. Urates are the consistency of an egg white with no grit.
Having stones as pictured above will also lead to the general lethargy from what I read.
I believe his wheeze may be related to the stones because they appeared about the same time. I'm going to try to take some of the che bulbs out and maintain the temperature just with less bulbs. Maybe that will help, perhaps he needs an xray when we see the vet instead of the Midog bacteria test?Yikes... soaking is maybe 20% of being hydrated from what I observe. Keeping humidity and the shell moist is one thing but their internal organs need water.
These things drink... if you're not seeing them drink at least every other day and about 12-16oz of water at a time then it is too little. Stump will drink a 16oz bottle of water in his dish in one go. No stones. Urates are the consistency of an egg white with no grit.
Having stones as pictured above will also lead to the general lethargy from what I read.
You can give him "useless" but rich in water foods like cucumbers and iceberg lettuce, in addition to his main dish. Spray water over the food bowl. Soak him twice a day or longer.So what should I do? I never see him drink, I don't know how to encourage him to drink.
Sometimes stones can cause nasal discharge and lethargy. Haven't seen mention of wheezing, though.I believe his wheeze may be related to the stones because they appeared about the same time. I'm going to try to take some of the che bulbs out and maintain the temperature just with less bulbs. Maybe that will help, perhaps he needs an xray when we see the vet instead of the Midog bacteria test?
Lewis is better. His urates have become a soft paste, he's energetic again and definitely feels better. Here he is, soaking
Lewis just finished his antibiotics and he didn't really improve. Should I take him back? He's doing this mouth opening when he breathes thing and has a bit of a wheeze still. He also sleeps a LOT more now than he ever did before.
Thank you posting the update. I'm happy to know he's getting better! I'm sure, he dreams of the days, when he is allowed to graze outsideLewis is better. His urates have become a soft paste, he's energetic again and definitely feels better. Here he is, soaking
Thank you posting the update. I'm happy to know he's getting better! I'm sure, he dreams of the days, when he is allowed to graze outside
SoonThank you posting the update. I'm happy to know he's getting better! I'm sure, he dreams of the days, when he is allowed to graze outside
Awesome. My parents live at the end of Water Street in Shinglehouse PA. My Stumpy has spent much time up there munching on the grass. I see you're in Olean.Soon
We've moved since the last time it was warm enough for him to go out, he's new territory to explore
Awesome. My parents live at the end of Water Street in Shinglehouse PA. My Stumpy has spent much time up there munching on the grass. I see you're in Olean