Need some advice, I inherited a 50 yr old Hermann Tortoise

Meg & Mac

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Aug 5, 2020
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Cornwall
I recently inherited a 59-60 yr old Hermann Tortoise. I must add I am very happy to have him, it wasn't unwillingly.

He was (with previous owners) on a diet of grazing on grass, cucumber and no joke frosties cereal with milk and tea with 2 sugars!
I'm currently trying to find out what healthy foods he likes by feeding him a mixture of fresh greens, with the occasional bit of certain fruits, broccoli head's and nasturtium flowers. He loves cucumber and will eat as much of it as he is given. I've also added a general supplement to his food.

I don't think he was ever really bathed. He wheezes when he breathes which concerns me as I've read up about it and as far as I understand it can indicate respiratory problems. He has signs of calcium deficiency in his shell and two little grazes on his shell from a dog scratch (previous owners).

He's never had access to a water bath, he's had access to water to drink. Now he has both but doesn't seem interested.

He's currently in an enclosure in the garden with access to shade, grass, fresh food bowl, drinking water and a water bath, and a few toys.

Do I need to must him or bathe him? How do you make sure they're hydrated? I've read about it but couldn't quite understand what's the right thing to do. I don't want to shock him by suddenly changing too much in his life.

Any advice, tips totally welcome.
 

KarenSoCal

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Hello, and welcome to the forum!

All tortoises benefit from a good soak. Most of them drink while they're in it, they get some good exercise if they try to get out of the tub, many pee/poop in the soak which helps keep a clean enclosure, and it gives you an opportunity to look him over and weigh him.

I'm linking our care sheet for you to read. It is written with a hatchling in mind, but gives good advice for care.

 

Meg & Mac

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Hello Karen, Thankyou soooooo much for your message Massively appreciated. I'm happy to hear bathing us good for him as it's a nice opportunity to get to know him more too.

I made an appointment with a specialist vet too to check his breathing and check him over.

Thanks again.

Meg and Mac xxx
 

KarenSoCal

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Keep an eye on the vet. Hopefully he is up to date in his methods. If he wants to give vitamin shots, politely refuse. Often they want to give Vitamin A just on general principles, but it can have dire effects on your tort's skin.
 

Meg & Mac

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Aug 5, 2020
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Location (City and/or State)
Cornwall
Thankyou Karen, Ill make sure to do some more research and get a better understanding of the vitamin shots before I go to the vet. Thanks again, Meg
 
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