Redfoot tortoise scabbing on face

[wanderthewoods]

The humidifier machine for my little redfoot suddenly broke and it took me a couple months to get a new one. I would guess the issue is his skin got too dry and he scratched it somehow? I've been soaking him more frequently since I noticed it but I am concerned. I hope it is not too serious or threatening, I would like some opinions on what it could be and the best course to help it heal? Thanks

 

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to the site!

You have found the best tortoise info site anywhere online. Here has the best most up-to-date info, plus there are a lot of years of expert tortoise keeping represented by the various members here. Everyone will do their best to help you help your tortoise to have a happy healthy life.
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For your own peace of mind don't listen to the "advice" given by other sources (like: pet shops, social media sites, People at reptile shows, many of the YouTube videos, and even most veterinarians). They're still using old info that doesn't work as well as what you'll find here.

Study the info in the links offered. All those head-exploding details will show you how to help your tortoise to thrive.

And, ask a lot of questions.

Hint: Run it by the members before you buy new equipment or whatever - their expertise will save you a lot of time, stress, and money.


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Many times symptoms resolve by changing how the tortoise is kept.

More of the members will advise soon, but here are some questions and comments until others have a chance to respond.


1. How often are you soaking, for how long and is the water kept warm the whole time?
2. How old is your tortoise?
3. How long have you had him?
4. What are you feeding him?
5. What is the temperatures in the enclosure?
6. What percentage is the humidity at?

Please post pictures, inside and out, of his enclosure, and more of him (side profile, top, bottom, feet.)

Has he lost any toenails?

Sprayers, foggers, and misters are bad for tortoises - they put droplets into the air that are like blasting your tort in the face with a hose., and cause respiratory problems. Droplets are not humidity.

To create a balanced and steady humidity you need to have two or three inches of highly-damp coco coir hand-packed-tightly under a layer of fine Orchid Bark or Cyprus Mulch. With this method the water evaporates up through the bark and keeps the humidity where it needs to be, without droplets that can cause respiratory problems. Once its established, whenever your gauges start to show a drop in humidity you just pour a cup of warm water into each of the corners, wait a couple hours, and check your gauges, Add more if it needs it (but go slow, its a pain to have to remove excess if you add too much water to the enclosure) until it is at the correct levels again.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

In addition to COmmtnLadys questions, has the scab changed at all? Was it a different colour in the beginning?

 

[TammyJ]

Is your tortoise kept by himself in his enclosure? Can we see pictures of the enclosure?

 

[Yvonne G]

Just treat it like you would treat your own scabbed knee. Wash it, dry it and dab on some first aid cream. Then try to figure out how it got there and fix that problem.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

As touched on above, ditch the humidifier, they’re especially not good for red foots because they’re prone to fungal infections. Hopefully you find those links useful! Please feel free to ask any further questions on them! We can break stuff down where needed, welcome to the forum