Question...

[Italianlnm]

I posted on here a while back (I estimate about 3 weeks) about rescuing a Sully named Bullet. Who hadn't been eating, and was probably hurt from the owners trying to tube feed him through his mouth. I think they may have bruised it. He is now eating, drinking on his own, and being active. He is still shy, but we are working on that.

I have had him quarentines (Spelling error I am sure) since I had him. But I was asking that since he is eating, and being active, can I put him in with my other Sully now? We aren't sure of the sex on either. They are too young. My other Sully, Tank, is a hatchling.

That is my first question. We have not taken them to the vet yet ( I am going to take tank for a check-up as well). Are parasites or worms contagious? If bullet has them, or tank, can the other catch it?

 

[chadk]

Yes, they can share parasites. Some could even be shared with you, the owner if you are not careful.

Normally folks recommend quaratine for up to 6mo (some do more). In this case, with known sickness in the not so distant past, it would be especially important...

Good job on getting it eating and drinking and stuff though!!

 

[tortoisenerd]

Congrats on the progress!

Yes, parasites can be shared easily, such as through fecal matter. Other diseases can also be shared through physical contact. You ideally want at least a 6 month quarantine where they do not have any contact at all (solid fence, no photos together, etc). Fecal tests should be done several months apart, such as one after 3 months and another at 6 months for example. Sometimes a parasite can be present that doesn't get picked up the first time due to their life cycles (happened to my tort with a coccidia). Some illnesses have no symptoms, or at least no symptoms until they get very severe.

The rest is for future reference: How old/large are the torts? If there is a size difference you likely don't want to house them together. Even the same size, you need to be very cautious of bullying. It can be mental too, not just physical. Lots of sad stories here of the smaller tort not getting enough food and getting behind on growth. You want to plan for two separate enclosures (if they end up different sexes especially), and hope they can share one enclosure. If they are a good match in size, then you want to introduce them in an area separate from either of their "homes". An ideal enclosure for them to share will have a lot of space with multiple hides for each tort in different temperatures. Best wishes.

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Please keep up with the quarantine at least until you have taken him in for a check up and a fecal. I didn't keep them separate long enough and I had a Gopherus agassizii give parasites to a Sulcata and almost killed it, so please keep them separate a while longer...

 

[Italianlnm]

I am not going to put them in the same enclosure yet.. I am going to wait longer.. Probably a good 6-8 monthes longer. I don't want to take any chances of my hatchling getting anything.

I have another question about Bullet, though he is finally eating and such, and being active, I have not seen him poop. Maybe he is eating it.. But I haven't seen any at all, and I have had him for 3-4 weeks so far. He is eating mostly spring mix, but I do let him go outside almost daily to get sunlight and fresh grass.

 

[Laura]

Does he get soakings? He needs them. try that and see if you see poop.
He could be eating it as well.. but that is a long time to go without 'going'
are his temps high enough? If he is too cold he cant digest his food.

 

[chadk]

Does he have a water dish he can easily climb in and out of?

 

[Italianlnm]

He gets soaked everyday. He has a water dish that he can get in and out of on his own, and his temps are great and stable. He has a cooler side that he can get out of as well. My little Hatchling goes, and gets all messy doing so. But I have yet to see Bullet use the bathroom. It is worrying me, but I know he could be eating it. It just seems that I would have at least seen something in 4 weeks.