Peeling back legs

[Minimoomin]

 

[Herbert Forever]

Is this your only tortoise? Or atleast only tortoise in the enclosure? Sometimes legs can be peeling in the result of bullying, by bullying I mean that another tortoise could be biting this one on the legs.

 

[Minimoomin]

He is the only one, we did have 2 we got 7 weeks ago from a pet shop. This one has always been very active, the other one never moved, never ate anything and sadly passed away a week after getting them.

 

[Minimoomin]

I didn't know at the time you shouldn't keep 2 together, was given lots of wrong information by the pet shop. I separated them 2days after getting them. They had been to the vet the day after getting them as was very worried about the one that passed away and wanted to get them both health checked anyway. I have just been told on another site to put coconut oil on his skin and shell. I have said no but do any of you know anything about doing that ?

 

[Minimoomin]

I have a horsfield with back legs peeling. I have put a post up on the Russia part of the site but I put a post on another site aswell, was told to put coconut oil on the skin and shell. I told the man don't like that idea but anyone know why he would say that ? I know I'm a new tortoise keeper but really doesn't sound right to me. I apologise if if its ok and am questioning people that are
Very experienced.

 

[Herbert Forever]

What substrate do you use? The softer the substrate the more their legs will rub together, resulting in rawness of the legs.

 

[Minimoomin]

Coco and soil

 

[Herbert Forever]

Wow this is quiet difficult, there should be no problems with the soul being too soft. Did your vet ask about diet and heating, but if it's more rawness than peeling that might not be the issue. So sorry you're going through this, it's tough not knowing what's wrong.

 

[Minimoomin]

He said his temps, diet and everything is fine. I don't think it can be anything about the way we are looking after him as he came like it fro a pet shop. I don't think the pet shop knew what they were doing. Like I said I got 2 from them on the Monday and was at the vets on the Tuesday as was worried about them, unfortunately after a week of having them one died and all the pet shop could say is vet doesn't know what his talking about and stick the poor little tort in the freezer

 

[Jodie]

I have heard coconut oil recommended. Russians peel some so I am not sure how big of a problem you have. I looked at the pics on your other thread, and didn't see anything. Not on a very good device though.

 

[Minimoomin]

 

[Herbert Forever]

Wow I'm sorry, yes recently I've been planning to file in a complaint with a local pet store since all of their tortoises have shell rot and are in a 40 gallon tank for 3 of them. I got my tortoise from a pet store as well and they generally don't know how to take care of them, I would probably keep giving your tortoise what the vet gave you and see if it gets better. If anything gets worse I would take them back to the vet and file in a complaint to the pet store. So sorry to hear about your loss, this must be hard.

 

[Jodie]

I think I see what you're talking about, but don't think you really need to worry about it. Soak him daily, and you could put coconut oil on it. Let it soak in and then wipe it off.
Here is a thread discussing it. If you search coconut oil, you will find more. It is not something I have tried.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/coconut-oil.103782/

 

[Jodie]

He is a cute little bugger.

 

[dmmj]

Peeling is a part of a growing tortoise. They shed in pieces, not whole like snakes. As to why he said to use it? He was probably told to do so. Coconut oil honestly will not help or hurt. It is a zero sum iten.

 

[Gillian M]

A gorgeous little tortoise - GOD bless.

 

[leigti]

@Yvonne G @Tom i'm sure more people will be along soon to give some advice. Is your vet a reptile vet? Did they say anything about the legs and what they think caused it? Maybe it is some kind of fungus. Peeling it is normal but what your tortoise has going on definitely isn't. Could be a lot of different things considering it was in an enclosure with many other tortoises and what I am sure we're not ideal conditions.

 

[Minimoomin]

He is a reptile vet, said could be a skin infection and it is to excessive for normal shedding. He gave the stuff to dilute and put on it but doesn't seem to be doing anything thing. I have an appointment to take him back in 2 weeks. I just posted on here to see if anyone else has ever had anything like this before.

 

[leigti]

Ask your vet if you should maybe do one application of Betadine then thoroughly rinse it off and then put the medication on it.

 

[Minimoomin]

W
Hat is betadine ? I'm new to this