Plastron Moves?

[RaphsMama]

I recently noticed that the lower part of Raph's plastron moves. When I push gently on the femoral scute it moves and I have search and searched and maybe I'm just overlooking, but I have not been able to find anything on this anywhere, here or google.

The shell itself is not soft, just the whole section has slight movement and it FREAKED me out. Is this normal? If not, what is it? How serious is it? And what do I do?

Thanks so much for replies in advance!

(If it is completely normal and I am freaking out over nothing, feel free to laugh at my newbness lol )

 

[jaizei]

What type of tortoise is Raph? Can you post a picture of his plastron?

 

[RaphsMama]

Female Greek so far I've been told possibly a golden? I was thinking Jordanian, not 100% sure, haven't gotten many replies on that.

 

[sibi]

I was hoping it was a small baby because the plastron can move a little if you press it in. But, this is an adult based on its size. Its plastron should be hard. If the plastron moves in when you apply a little pressure, it could mean that there's a little metabolic bone disease (MBD). If that's what is going on, you need to make sure this tort get natural sunlight as much as possible. You need to supply your tort with calcium supplement. This will allow your tort to absort vitamin D from the sun. The deficiency in calcium and vitamin D is what causes MBD. If it goes untreated, your tort will get very sick and could die. I would take the tort to the vet to confirm MBD, but be cautious about any vitamins the vet wants to inject into your tort. I once read that a tort died because the vet injected a lethal dose of vitamin D. Keep us posted.

 

[RaphsMama]

Oooooh that is not good news....she is otherwise so pretty and healthy looking how does this happen

 

[jaizei]

I am not as experienced with testudo so Im not positive but I believe it may be normal.

I'm mobile and can't post links but search for "Greek tortoise plastron hinge" and see if it helps.

 

[Beck]

Also not experienced, but I think Jaizei is right -- it may be a plastron hinge.

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-73709.html

The thread above is originally about an Egyptian tortoise, but I believe GeoTerraTestudo mentions that the characteristic is also present in Greek tortoises.