Is something wrong with his leg?

[hab]

I’ve recently noticed my horsfield tortoise has what seems to be an indentation in his front left leg. I’m not sure if this is completely normal/how his leg is supposed to be or if there’s something wrong with him. I’m a first time owner and any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Blackdog1714]

He looks very dry how often and long do you soak? Also what is the setup he is kept in:Lights, heat, Temps, humidity, substrate..etc

 

[hab]

@Blackdog1714 I try to soak him everyday for around 20-30 minutes, under his basking area the temperature is always between 30 - 35 degrees Celsius. He has a uva + uvb bulb, I use top soil for the substrate and humidity is between 70-80%

 

[Blackdog1714]

What kind of uv bulb do you use and when was it last changed?

 

[Sarah2020]

I agree indented was it like that when you got it? How long have you owned the tortoise? Try using a washing up bowl with 33 deg C water and Place your tortoise in for a 30 min soak on a daily or 3 times a week routine. During this your tortoise will hydrate and drink. Does the leg move ok and go in and out the shell ok? If ok then it will hopefully grow out if not working like the opposite leg then suggest a vet visit for bone xray . As per earlier post could be dehydrated and this is showing on the leg. When you feed fresh leaves wash in water so he gets water whilst eating. Substrate not correct as they eat this when it gets trampled on the food etc.. If your in Birmingham UK suggest changing over to orchid bark as a substrate and suggested supplier is swell reptiles online delivery. Keep that moist with a water sprayer etc.. hope some of this helps?

 

[hab]

@Sarah2020
I usually soak him in a plastic bowl at least 5 times a week making sure the temp doesn’t drop below 30C and I see him drinking the water occasionally. His leg seems to work fine to me, I don’t notice him having any trouble walking on it or anything. What I find weird is sometimes the indentation will appear and sometimes I don’t see it. I usually only see it if he’s eating and not when he’s just generally walking around and sleeping. If he goes into his shell, it’s only ever his head that goes in and not his legs. Do you think it’s best to take him to the vets for an x ray? I got him august and he’s around 6/8 months old. Thank you so much for the advise.

 

[Sarah2020]

Let's see what other experts advise. If its not bothering him and detrimental to health I would monitor and not rush to the vet.

 

[hab]

I’ve attached another image of him sleeping, don’t know if his legs are supposed to be like this? I’m just a little worried now although he doesn’t seem to be bothered

 

[Sarah2020]

They can sleep like starfish with all legs out and visa versa. All legs and head should should fold in all the way.l leaving shell ball .... This is their defence. So maybe when you get time test by picking him up or tapping leg gently to check it retracts.

 

[KarenSoCal]

If you notice in the first group of pictures, he has his right leg up and curved inward. The left leg is more outstretched. In picture #5 it is barely noticeable.

In your pic in post #8, you can't see it at all, since the left leg is also curled inward like the right.

I think it is just positional. If it doesn't bother him and he walks normally, I wouldn't do anything about it, nor take him to a vet.

 

[hab]

@Sarah2020 @KarenSoCal ive tested it and he can retract into his shell with all 4 legs and his head, also from looking at him from another angle I’ve noticed his other front leg has the same indentation. Just find it weird that I can see it sometimes and other times it’s not prominent at all. Thank you for your help!