Hi, I was just looking for input from anyone who has done parasite testing.
I’ve been taking care of a Russian tortoise (Ivan) for about 6 months now. He’s a wild caught male purchased at petco. When he first came to me he was 349 grams and he appeared to be underweight. His neck and legs look like empty skin, like a person who has lost a great deal of weight. In the 6 months I’ve had him he hasn’t gained weight and he’s always been lethargic. I wake him up every morning and soak him for 30 minutes then feed him breakfast. He eats really well and he poops daily, in the bath and in his food. The rest of the day he sprawls out under the power sun bulb (roughly 98 degrees on average) or burrows under his log. The temps in his enclosure are right and I spray his coco coir/topsoil 3 times a day. His enclosure is 8 feet long by 3 feet wide. His diet consists of dandelions (flower and greens,) spring mix, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, radicchio, arugula, romaine and occasionally cucumber. He also has a spider plant that he eats off of occasionally as well. Weather permitting, he goes outside for several hours a day. He wanders only to get in a warmer or cooler spot to lounge.
I’m really concerned that he may have parasites. I’ve never had an adult Russian tortoise that was completely lethargic and doesn’t gain weight. Tomorrow I have to make a 2 hour drive to the reptile vet with a feces sample. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
The silver on his shell is a topical cream the vet told me to use for previous shell damage where the bone has died.
I’ve been taking care of a Russian tortoise (Ivan) for about 6 months now. He’s a wild caught male purchased at petco. When he first came to me he was 349 grams and he appeared to be underweight. His neck and legs look like empty skin, like a person who has lost a great deal of weight. In the 6 months I’ve had him he hasn’t gained weight and he’s always been lethargic. I wake him up every morning and soak him for 30 minutes then feed him breakfast. He eats really well and he poops daily, in the bath and in his food. The rest of the day he sprawls out under the power sun bulb (roughly 98 degrees on average) or burrows under his log. The temps in his enclosure are right and I spray his coco coir/topsoil 3 times a day. His enclosure is 8 feet long by 3 feet wide. His diet consists of dandelions (flower and greens,) spring mix, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, radicchio, arugula, romaine and occasionally cucumber. He also has a spider plant that he eats off of occasionally as well. Weather permitting, he goes outside for several hours a day. He wanders only to get in a warmer or cooler spot to lounge.
I’m really concerned that he may have parasites. I’ve never had an adult Russian tortoise that was completely lethargic and doesn’t gain weight. Tomorrow I have to make a 2 hour drive to the reptile vet with a feces sample. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
The silver on his shell is a topical cream the vet told me to use for previous shell damage where the bone has died.