- Joined
- Nov 24, 2015
- Messages
- 5
Hi! Recently (2 days ago) adopted a Russian tortoise from a friend of a friend of a friend. Really concerned about this little guy. Since bringing him home I've started calling him Fezzick.
In addition to having a really overgrown beak and misshapen shell, his toenails are crooked (if they exist - many of them don't). His skin/scales on his legs look really discolored. He had no lights for UVA or UVB in his enclosure, ever. His eyes seem to water (like he's crying) constantly. He's been living off of "iceberg lettuce, cantaloupe, and watermelon." He's never had a water dish - they soaked him once a week in a sink & let him drink that way. They told me he's 25 years old. They also told me he wasn't really "coming out of his winter phase" and "isn't eating well" although he's eaten well while he's been with me - and has spent most of his time basking since I turned his lights on when I brought him home.
I'm worried he has MBD. I've never had an MBD tortoise - or any reptile for that matter. He's been set up now with appropriate lighting (I have 2 sulcatas in addition to a red-eared slider and a bearded dragon so this isn't my first reptile rodeo), his own water dish, and I ended up putting some cuttlebone in his enclosure to see if he'd go after it, hoping that would help the beak situation. He whistles when he breathes (you can hear it in the video if you listen closely).
We have a vet appointment on Thursday, but I have so many concerns. Does MBD improve with appropriate care - if that's what he has? What are the odds that he doesn't have it? Can I do anything now to see if he's comfortable? Are there any supplements I can try or that you think the vet might suggest?
No matter what happens, I think he's in pretty bad shape. I just want to know what I can do to support him and whatever growth he has from here. I'm afraid to feed him too much and cause a growth spurt with which his shell might not be able to keep up.
Just have a video for now but can post photos later if necessary.