Russian tortoise poop

George Hassard

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I took my Russian tortoise Mr Gorbachev to the vet yesterday and they said he was healthy and he even peed on the doctor. I told them he hasn't pooped in a couple days which was odd but I figured if he peed it was fine. I caught Mr Gorbachev eating some tiny wood chips in his enclosure today. I began to worry that if he is eating wood it could be blocking his poop. I've been soaking him every other day and he usually poops when he soaks and he hasn't the last 2 times. I haven't found any poop in his enclosure. And I'm using a new subsrate (pictures attached) which the vet said was suitable. How long before I should worry?

75AB2A69-7D8A-4A94-BC57-798A3540DAE2.jpeg2B4E8343-7132-4222-9B22-0F314DD4CC7C.png378C2AB6-1EBB-4601-86E3-7CBA6A3F9D15.png
 

Smiles07

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Hi George, my Russian tortoise used to Poop once in every 2 or 3days since I got him. Vet said he was completely fine, but I was worried, so they suggested me giving him more fiber in diet, so now I give him Hay in everyday meal and since then he’s been regular.
Vet told me what they eat will eventually come out and tortoises have really strong stomach acids.
If you can let your tortoise have natural sunlight for 15-20mns, that helps too.

Is he eating his regular food ?
When was the last time you changed the UVB light ?
Tortoises can’t digest the food like us, they need the UVB light for it.
 

George Hassard

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Birmingham, Alabama.
Hi George, my Russian tortoise used to Poop once in every 2 or 3days since I got him. Vet said he was completely fine, but I was worried, so they suggested me giving him more fiber in diet, so now I give him Hay in everyday meal and since then he’s been regular.
Vet told me what they eat will eventually come out and tortoises have really strong stomach acids.
If you can let your tortoise have natural sunlight for 15-20mns, that helps too.

Is he eating his regular food ?
When was the last time you changed the UVB light ?
Tortoises can’t digest the food like us, they need the UVB light for it.

He is eating mixed lettuce/cabbage/ occasional tomato for treat. and im going to start feeding him timothy hay. i changed his uvb light 3 weeks ago. should i worry about him being "strained"? ive seen photos of tortoises having giant red lumbs or balls coming out of their behind because they arent pooping correctly and with someone with severe anxiety i cant do that.
 

Blackdog1714

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Please read our Russian tortoise care sheet and cease feeding the tomato. It has too much sugar. Try zinnias, hibiscus, honeysuckle, and plantain weeds. Welcome to TFO
 

Blackdog1714

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Please read our Russian care sheet. Not all vets are reptile experts. They do have years of school and training on an unbelievable amount of animals, but even animals deserve specialists. Dr. Blair is a Fantastic eye surgeon and has done several chow chows with entropian. That said you need a reptile specialist to really help with tortoise issues. TFO offers years of experience accumulated through thousands of tortoises breed, born and cared for. It allows you to learn and better care for your torts. Sorry so long winded.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi George:

Most vets are not all that familiar with tortoise husbandry. It's best to listen to the information in our care sheet rather than the vet's opinion on tortoise care.

Your tortoise is a browser, and has evolved to be eating broad leaf plants and weeds. They should not be fed fruit (which a tomato is) because their system can't handle the extra sugars.

Tortoises sample their substrate because they're not getting all the nutrition they require from their food. If you start feeding your tortoise from the list in our care sheet he will start having regular bowel movements and will stop eating the substrate.
 

George Hassard

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Hi George:

Most vets are not all that familiar with tortoise husbandry. It's best to listen to the information in our care sheet rather than the vet's opinion on tortoise care.

Your tortoise is a browser, and has evolved to be eating broad leaf plants and weeds. They should not be fed fruit (which a tomato is) because their system can't handle the extra sugars.

Tortoises sample their substrate because they're not getting all the nutrition they require from their food. If you start feeding your tortoise from the list in our care sheet he will start having regular bowel movements and will stop eating the substrate.
How long before I should be concerned? I will stop feeding sugary fruits, I'm just worried that he ate bark or a rock or something and it's blocking his dietary track. How can I know that's the problem? He seems active.
 

Duckster RT

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I took my Russian tortoise Mr Gorbachev to the vet yesterday and they said he was healthy and he even peed on the doctor. I told them he hasn't pooped in a couple days which was odd but I figured if he peed it was fine. I caught Mr Gorbachev eating some tiny wood chips in his enclosure today. I began to worry that if he is eating wood it could be blocking his poop. I've been soaking him every other day and he usually poops when he soaks and he hasn't the last 2 times. I haven't found any poop in his enclosure. And I'm using a new subsrate (pictures attached) which the vet said was suitable. How long before I should worry?

View attachment 299171View attachment 299172View attachment 299173
 

Duckster RT

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That can be bad. I had this problem once. Soak him in water water. If nothing happens then fill up the bathtub and then swim if he can and will. Sometimes the kicking of the legs vigorously will get it out. Obviously this is extremely dangerous and hands must be ready to help him. If a possible way you can get the vet. I’m a believer that ppl should expect vet bills when they get tortoises. But some DIY can and will be learned along the way.
 

George Hassard

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That can be bad. I had this problem once. Soak him in water water. If nothing happens then fill up the bathtub and then swim if he can and will. Sometimes the kicking of the legs vigorously will get it out. Obviously this is extremely dangerous and hands must be ready to help him. If a possible way you can get the vet. I’m a believer that ppl should expect vet bills when they get tortoises. But some DIY can and will be learned along the way.
Yeah I'm not putting my tortoise in a full bathtub and I'm almost certain that everyone else with advise against that.
 

Blackdog1714

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Yeah I'm not putting my tortoise in a full bathtub and I'm almost certain that everyone else with advise against that.
Not a bathtub unless you got a sulcata. A cheap dish washing tub from Walmart or the dollar store will work. Water should just come up to the edge of the shell and needs to be around 85 degrees (please use a thermometer- laser type is best) to verify. 20 minutes at a time and if they scramble or claw the sides you get the exercise boost! Good luck
 
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