Rescued 'ebay' redfoots, Wk2 - progress & questions

[dabayliss]

Well,

We have now had the two 'ebay rescues' for a week. The good news is that both of them are now comfortable with us (which I measure by the fact that they come out of their shells when we pick them up). They have both lost the dry wheezy noise. They both romp all over the yard (when we let them) and they both eat like little pigs.

Now for the questions:
1) At their rear end the scutes from the 'upper' shell have been ground down (about half way) exposing their bottoms. Doesn't bother me any; but is it dangerous? If so what can I do about it?

2) I know I have to quarantine them from our other two (and we wash hands going from one to another etc) - but how long does this last for? And what are we actually looking for?

3) (And this is true for all our torts) We are now heading towards summer so their garage home is easily giving them the mid-eighties hot and sticky weather they like. But there is NO WAY we can get it down to seventies at night without A/C. So are 'warmer evenings' going to do real damage? If so - any ideas?

4) How do I actually post pictures or links on this forum???? I have all these in a picasa album!!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9ycwUNfKvGwBMpWAAprqNQ?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hmPIFlvBKkDMnPHpAjGFag?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dZ3R0ug1KzkcneSf5MYi3Q?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f6BftTEcoxBhNlTMloyFmQ?feat=directlink

 

[HarleyK]

I don't think I can answer your questions but I the coloration on their heads is very nice. If you want to to post some pics sign up for an account on Photobucket and all you have to do is copy/paste the link of that photo (very simple).

 

[Fernando]

With picasa its a little different.

Once you decide on the picture. Right click on it. Choose properties. The Address (URL) link is what you want to copy and paste in the thread (insert image)

 

[Madkins007]

1) At their rear end the scutes from the 'upper' shell have been ground down (about half way) exposing their bottoms. Doesn't bother me any; but is it dangerous? If so what can I do about it?

2) I know I have to quarantine them from our other two (and we wash hands going from one to another etc) - but how long does this last for? And what are we actually looking for?

3) (And this is true for all our torts) We are now heading towards summer so their garage home is easily giving them the mid-eighties hot and sticky weather they like. But there is NO WAY we can get it down to seventies at night without A/C. So are 'warmer evenings' going to do real damage? If so - any ideas?

4) How do I actually post pictures or links on this forum???? I have all these in a picasa album!!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9ycwUNfKvGwBMpWAAprqNQ?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hmPIFlvBKkDMnPHpAjGFag?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dZ3R0ug1KzkcneSf5MYi3Q?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f6BftTEcoxBhNlTMloyFmQ?feat=directlink

1. It is a form of shell rot. You can learn more here- http://www.tortoiselibrary.com/shellproblems.html

2. About a month, depending on the risk factors. Wild caught, exposed to wild caught, exposed to sick animals, etc. would mean a longer quarantine. The goal is to minimize the risk of bringing diseases or parasites into the established group.

3. Is there a reason they cannot just be outside? With good pen walls and a good shelter, they should be OK as long as night temps are over 70ish and the soil is reasonably warm. Warm nights are not usually a real problem, but we like to offer them a choice.

 

[HLogic]

In the second picture, there does appear to be some shell rot. In the 4th picture, I don't see any. I think it's adhered feces. I also don't see anything on either of them that would indicate anything is seriously amiss. Soaking them to soften the adhered fecal matter and removal with a soft brush will allow the treatment to be more effective. One additional suggestion, in lieu of using betadine, you may want to try chlorhexidine gluconate solution (a.k.a. Novalsan, ChlorhexiDerm and others) for cleansing the shell rot area. It can be found at pet stores and probably more reasonably priced at a farm supply store. Be careful to avoid allowing contact with eyes and mucous membranes (e.g. cloaca). It contains alcohol and will sting although not badly (just tested it on myself to be sure) and it dries the contacted area. The same applies to betadine but even moreso...

As far as the night time temps, mine are do just fine between temps of 55 and 85. I know, *gasp*, but they have been doing so for 7 years here and probably 20 or so at the previous keeper's. Outside, they will find spots that suit them by hiding in their outdoor hideboxes, under plant/leaf cover, digging shallow depressions, etc.

Don't be afraid to extend the quarantine period especially for the one, at least until the shell rot is completely resolved.

It also looks as if there may be a little Cherryhead in the 4th pictured one...

 

[cdmay]

I tend to agree with HLogic on this one. I don't really see much of an issue in any of the photos although there may be some shell rot/fungus on the anal scutes of the tortoise in the last photo.
In any case it isn't bad and HLogic's suggestions are good ones.

As a side note, I am very happy that when HLogic applied the Novalsan to his cloaca it didn't sting too badly.

 

[dabayliss]

Firstly, thanks folks. You are an invaluable resource.

Secondly - my wife is going to track down the lotions and potions - those pictures are literally when we got them home. They are a lot cleaner now; in fact the little one completely changed color! - so I can get some much better photos.

Quarantine - I think i'll keep them quarantined - one of them is much tinier than my others anyway - I can revisit in a couple of months.

Garage vs Outside - well - when we move in June (DV) they can go outside - but this is florida - outside = 85 Degrees. Now I had been planning on making them sleep in a 'hutch' (predator safe) rather than just anywhere they please ... I'll have to think about how to make a large space safe ....

 

[fhintz]

Redfoots do great outdoors in Florida! Mine has never seemed to mind or be bothered by warmer evenings in the almost 2 years I've had her.

 

[Kristina]

As a side note, I am very happy that when HLogic applied the Novalsan to his cloaca it didn't sting too badly.

 

[Madkins007]

Floridian Red-foots seem to be among the happier Red-foots I see- good climate, good natural foods, etc. I envy them so bad!

(And Carl- I was truly laughing out loud with your comment!)