Russian Tortoise with MBD

[Ellesse&sheldon]

Hello,

I have recently adopted Sheldon, a 5 year old Russian tortoise last week. I took him to a vet today who advised he has been severely neglected by his previous owners. As a result has metabolic bone disease. Sheldon can’t carry himself when he walks so he seems to shuffle on the floor, he has a very soft shell and a snotty nose. He is booked in to see a specialist next week for x-rays and test to tell us more. He calcium powder for his baths every day, calcium dust for his food, spends all day in the garden and has UV lighting for when he is in the house.

Is there anything else I can do for Sheldon to try and get him back healthy and walking?
He eats: kale, dandelion, flowers, water cress, lambs lettuce, cucumber and pellets.

Any help and advise would be really appreciated.

 

[Tom]

Too much calcium too often causes problems. It interferes with the absorption of other important nutrients and trace elements. Twice a week with some powdered supplement on the for will give him all he needs and all he can use. Calcium rich foods would be good too.

The natural mid day sunshine and an Arcadia HO tube inside will give him the D3 needed to metabolize the calcium. You can also use a calcium powder with D3 in it, and supplemental foods like Mazuri also have D3.

Kale is okay once in a while, but it should not be a staple. The best foods for a Russian are an assortment of weeds and leaves of the right types. If you must use grocery store greens, favor the right types and add in the correct amendments.

Most of the care info found from most sources is wrong. Even from vets. Vets know medical stuff. There is no semester on proper tortoise care in vet school, and even if there was, it would likely be the same wrong info that is found everywhere else. Here is the current and correct care info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

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[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

What kind of indoor UVB are you using? Like Tom pointed out, high quality UVB is important.

Do you have information on how he was kept before?

 

[Ellesse&sheldon]

What kind of indoor UVB are you using? Like Tom pointed out, high quality UVB is important.

Do you have information on how he was kept before?

He was kept 24/7 in a vivarium

 

[Ellesse&sheldon]

Too much calcium too often causes problems. It interferes with the absorption of other important nutrients and trace elements. Twice a week with some powdered supplement on the for will give him all he needs and all he can use. Calcium rich foods would be good too.

The natural mid day sunshine and an Arcadia HO tube inside will give him the D3 needed to metabolize the calcium. You can also use a calcium powder with D3 in it, and supplemental foods like Mazuri also have D3.

Kale is okay once in a while, but it should not be a staple. The best foods for a Russian are an assortment of weeds and leaves of the right types. If you must use grocery store greens, favor the right types and add in the correct amendments.

Most of the care info found from most sources is wrong. Even from vets. Vets know medical stuff. There is no semester on proper tortoise care in vet school, and even if there was, it would likely be the same wrong info that is found everywhere else. Here is the current and correct care info:

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

Thank you for your help and information. The vet told us to give him calcium dust everyday until Wednesday, do you think this is too much?

 

[_The_Beast_]

He was kept 24/7 in a vivarium

A vivarium is a type of enclosure but does not tell us what UV bulb is being used. UV is crucial for preventing and addressing MBD. If you can share specifics about what's actually in the enclosure and what lightbulbs are being used, more tailored help can be provided. Since he's now in your care, knowing the type of bulbs you're currently using is most important. If you're not currently using an appropriate UV bulb, that needs to be addressed immediately.

 

[Tom]

Thank you for your help and information. The vet told us to give him calcium dust everyday until Wednesday, do you think this is too much?

Giving calcium everyday in an attempt to load up the system temporarily should be fine. Doing it long term could cause issues.

 

[TammyJ]

I am sure he could benefit from some nice warm daily soaks too.