Hi guys some advice please. My four yr old female Indian star has really long toe nails that curve over. The male diesnt have this problem. Do u trim file or cut them. I'm in the uk the vet here look after Herman tortoise so not sure If u should take her there or not?
Long toe nails
- Thread starter busybee
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Hi busybee:
Sometimes the female's toe nails are a little longer than the male's. Can we see a picture to be sure what you're talking about?
You can trim a tortoise's nails just like you would trim a dog's nails, but be careful not to trim too short. It will bleed.
Sometimes the female's toe nails are a little longer than the male's. Can we see a picture to be sure what you're talking about?
You can trim a tortoise's nails just like you would trim a dog's nails, but be careful not to trim too short. It will bleed.
Looks like they are curled over
Yes, they need a trim. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, it's a simple thing for your vet to do.
Yes, that first picture is an excellent example of toe nails. See how towards the tip it is white? Then as you move towards the foot you can see red through the white? Well you want to stop trimming BEFORE you get up to that red part. You can just use a human toe nail clipper, but take of small increments at a time.
Once you have them trimmed, it would help if you use a different substrate. Pellets are hard for a tortoise to walk on and not good for their joints. Maybe you could use regular dirt from outside? Not sand. Do your tortoises every have any outside time?
Once you have them trimmed, it would help if you use a different substrate. Pellets are hard for a tortoise to walk on and not good for their joints. Maybe you could use regular dirt from outside? Not sand. Do your tortoises every have any outside time?
Hi thankyou for your advice. As it's cold for 7 months out of the year they are only outside in the summer where they go
In the garden on the lawn and concrete areas. Il cut them
Oops sorry!
I will cut them tommorrow . I have dry grass/hay and was told to use calcium sand which I put In one area of there house where they rest . Is this right? Should I just use soil from the garden or buy clean soil like top soil or something similar?
In the garden on the lawn and concrete areas. Il cut them
Oops sorry!
I will cut them tommorrow . I have dry grass/hay and was told to use calcium sand which I put In one area of there house where they rest . Is this right? Should I just use soil from the garden or buy clean soil like top soil or something similar?
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Females normally have way longer curved nails on their hind feet that act as a shovel when digging nests. I can't tell from the pics if they are too large or not.
When I have mine indoors I keep them in soil with some rocks laying around to climb over and around, it helps keep their plastron clear of poo and keeps the nails trimmed proper.
Bryan
When I have mine indoors I keep them in soil with some rocks laying around to climb over and around, it helps keep their plastron clear of poo and keeps the nails trimmed proper.
Bryan
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