Hello all! It’s been a while. Things have been super busy. I have a foot question but first…
For reference and context, I have an 6-8 year old (estimated) Hermann’s tortoise. While he was a rehome and not a rescue, the condition of his care in his previous home makes me consider him a rescue.
Bubba has some shell deformity with mild spinal collapse from years of poor diet and being dumped outside all day in low humidity. I have changed his diet, humidity and supplements and his shell is now stable. Because of his shell, he had low muscle tone in his back legs and walked with his legs splayed backwards. I have worked with him extensively, working with him on different terrain to build muscle strength. He now walks more normally up on his back legs.
He went for a wellness check at the vet as he will be boarded while we are on vacation for a week. The vet said “I am pleased to report that Bubba appears to be in excellent overall health. He is bright, alert, well-muscled, and shows good bone strength. His shell and skin are stable, and there are no signs of infection or illness. I did not observe any oral growths or lesions during the exam, and his nose, ears, and respiratory system are all clear.”
As the weather gets warmer, we have been letting him roam (monitored) outside. I was wondering if he may have started to develop a slight infection in his feet from a thistle or stick or something. I gave him a bath today and noticed some scales on his feet were pink. I was always told pink is bad and sign of infection. Is this something starting or do these look like normal scales on his feet?
Thank you for the help!
For reference and context, I have an 6-8 year old (estimated) Hermann’s tortoise. While he was a rehome and not a rescue, the condition of his care in his previous home makes me consider him a rescue.
Bubba has some shell deformity with mild spinal collapse from years of poor diet and being dumped outside all day in low humidity. I have changed his diet, humidity and supplements and his shell is now stable. Because of his shell, he had low muscle tone in his back legs and walked with his legs splayed backwards. I have worked with him extensively, working with him on different terrain to build muscle strength. He now walks more normally up on his back legs.
He went for a wellness check at the vet as he will be boarded while we are on vacation for a week. The vet said “I am pleased to report that Bubba appears to be in excellent overall health. He is bright, alert, well-muscled, and shows good bone strength. His shell and skin are stable, and there are no signs of infection or illness. I did not observe any oral growths or lesions during the exam, and his nose, ears, and respiratory system are all clear.”
As the weather gets warmer, we have been letting him roam (monitored) outside. I was wondering if he may have started to develop a slight infection in his feet from a thistle or stick or something. I gave him a bath today and noticed some scales on his feet were pink. I was always told pink is bad and sign of infection. Is this something starting or do these look like normal scales on his feet?
Thank you for the help!
