Scales came of front leg

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum.

Please calm down. Your tortoise could have been digging and rubbed the scales off in the process. A rodent may have gotten into the area. While it is your responsibility to keep him safe, there are always unexpected things that happen. If he's eating ok and not bleeding, life is good.

How often do you soak him? Its possible he could be a little dehydrated. Do you have terracotta saucers (probably two), big enough for him to turn around in, countersunk into his substrate, filled with water as deep as where the top and bottom of his shell comes together?

Chicken wire is a very light gauge of wire that makes a "netting" of holes, each of which is about the size of the hole created when you put the tip of your index finger to touch the tip of your thumb. Chickenwire IS the size a baby bird could easily fit through. Could there have been a mix up between what you envisioned and chickenwire?

Listen to Zolasmum and the others here. This is something to solve and correct so it doesn't happen again, its not the end of the world.


Again, we're here to help.

 

[serendipity123]

I doubt it was a rodent as it must have happened whilst I was at work. In his indoor enclosure.

He had a vet visit on Monday due to me stressing that he ate a buttercup and they didn't mention he was dehydrated but it's possible.

I give him 2 baths a week as someone on a forum said to me everyday is excessive. And he has a mini blue paddling pool in his enclosure all the time.

It might be that the water isn't deep enough.

I'll show you a picture if his mini paddling pool it's small but he's small he's only 600g

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you for including a photo of your set up! It’s actually super helpful when advising you
There are a few things that need addressing in the photo, the substrate you’re using appears to be some kind of topsoil? Which isn’t a good substrate option unfortunately, it looks very dry and dusty which can cause problems, along with the small rock pieces in there. I wouldn’t use the newspaper either.
That water dish can actually be a bit of a hazard too, most pet store options are, because they’re smooth and lack traction, in the event the tortoise flips, they make it more difficult for them to right themselves, the safest option is a terracotta saucer sitting flush with the substrate

I know none of these things are relevant to the initial injury, but I don’t want you running into any potential future issues.
Perhaps this thread I made could be helpful, it covers the right kind of equipment, levels, safe substrates, maintaining humidity, and a bit about diet at the end. You can apply it to your set up where any tweaks are neededlet us know if you have any further questions

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[Littleredfootbigredheart]

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[serendipity123]

Thank you for including a photo of your set up! It’s actually super helpful when advising you
There are a few things that need addressing in the photo, the substrate you’re using appears to be some kind of topsoil? Which isn’t a good substrate option unfortunately, it looks very dry and dusty which can cause problems, along with the small rock pieces in there. I wouldn’t use the newspaper either.
That water dish can actually be a bit of a hazard too, most pet store options are, because they’re smooth and lack traction, in the event the tortoise flips, they make it more difficult for them to right themselves, the safest option is a terracotta saucer sitting flush with the substrate

I know none of these things are relevant to the initial injury, but I don’t want you running into any potential future issues.
Perhaps this thread I made could be helpful, it covers the right kind of equipment, levels, safe substrates, maintaining humidity, and a bit about diet at the end. You can apply it to your set up where any tweaks are neededlet us

 

[serendipity123]

Thanks for this. I'll give his soil a good spray down now before I go to work.

The reason why I'm using topsoil is because that's what the rescue centre insist I use. And I decided not to go against there advice in order for them to let me adopt him.

The rescue centre don't like coco coir but I'll think I'll mix it 50 50.

I was going to buy a large terrocota dish but for some reason I changed my mind. I think it was the height of the sides that put me off.

Will go to the garden centre and buy it.

I'll get rid of the newspaper this weekend when my liner gets delivered.

Thanks for the advice

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thanks for this. I'll give his soil a good spray down now before I go to work.

The reason why I'm using topsoil is because that's what the rescue centre insist I use. And I decided not to go against there advice in order for them to let me adopt him.

The rescue centre don't like coco coir but I'll think I'll mix it 50 50.

I was going to buy a large terrocota dish but for some reason I changed my mind. I think it was the height of the sides that put me off.

Will go to the garden centre and buy it.

I'll get rid of the newspaper this weekend when my liner gets delivered.

Thanks for the advice

I’d ditch the soil all together, unless you’ve composted it yourself there’s no way of knowing what kind of plants have gone into it, it could be something toxic, those small stones have been known to be eaten by tortoises, which over time can cause deadly blockages. I don’t doubt the rescue has the best of intentions, but unfortunately there’s a lot of old outdated information out there people still followthis forum is made of people who have spent years perfecting their care through trial and error, eliminating common risks in keeping

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Yeah, and plastic can also end up in commercial compost.

 

[serendipity123]

I initially told the owner of the rescue that I'll be using coco coir but he said no.

I only put top soil down because he told me to.

But I'll change it to coco coir thanks.

 

[serendipity123]

I also told him.ill be using orchid bark to go on top and he said no to that.

He wasn't the kind of guy to listen to me, but anyway, I can change the substrate.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I also told him.ill be using orchid bark to go on top and he said no to that.

He wasn't the kind of guy to listen to me, but anyway, I can change the substrate.

Yeah you’re the owner now and can take charge making the right changes, some people like that get very stuck in old fashioned ways.

If coir or orchid bark was an issue, we’d see a never ending amount of sick tortoises here, instead we see them thrive on it

Only thing I’ll say when changing things up, they get a bit grumpy and might be a bit less active/ less appetite, don’t let it worry you, it’s completely normal, they’re dramatic when it comes to any changes, even the positive ones that need doing lol, don’t let it put you off though

 

[serendipity123]

Yeah you’re the owner now and can take charge making the right changes, some people like that get very stuck in old fashioned ways.

If coir or orchid bark was an issue, we’d see a never ending amount of sick tortoises here, instead we see them thrive on it

Only thing I’ll say when changing things up, they get a bit grumpy and might be a bit less active/ less appetite, don’t let it worry you, it’s completely normal, they’re dramatic when it comes to any changes, even the positive ones that need doing lol, don’t let it put you off though

I've only had him for 3 weeks so he might be OK. I put more plants in last week and he seemed to enjoy them. I buy my plants from the tortoise hut.

He settled into his indoor enclosure straight away but wasn't too keen on the outdoor enclosure. Now he seems to like the outdoor enclosure

He is a very gorgeous sweet gentle tortoise. I feel very blessed.

I rang the vet again today to check if they have any cancellations but unfortunately not. I have to wait til Monday.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I've only had him for 3 weeks so he might be OK. I put more plants in last week and he seemed to enjoy them. I buy my plants from the tortoise hut.

He settled into his indoor enclosure straight away but wasn't too keen on the outdoor enclosure. Now he seems to like the outdoor enclosure

He is a very gorgeous sweet gentle tortoise. I feel very blessed.

I rang the vet again today to check if they have any cancellations but unfortunately not. I have to wait til Monday.

I love the tortoise hut website!

 

[serendipity123]

I do too I found it by accident. I've bought 7 outdoor and 9 indoor plants from them.

There amazing.

 

[TammyJ]

Thanks for this. I'll give his soil a good spray down now before I go to work.

The reason why I'm using topsoil is because that's what the rescue centre insist I use. And I decided not to go against there advice in order for them to let me adopt him.

The rescue centre don't like coco coir but I'll think I'll mix it 50 50.

I was going to buy a large terrocota dish but for some reason I changed my mind. I think it was the height of the sides that put me off.

Will go to the garden centre and buy it.

I'll get rid of the newspaper this weekend when my liner gets delivered.

Thanks for the advice

When is the next Scheduled Rescue Center Visitation?

 

[serendipity123]

Haven't a clue

 

[serendipity123]

Haven't a clue

Thank you everyone for your support and guidance.

I'll let you know Monday what the vet says. At least he's eating and active.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you everyone for your support and guidance.

I'll let you know Monday what the vet says. At least he's eating and active.

Yes do keep us updated! Honestly I think they’re absolutely fine and you’ll just need to keep it clean

 

[serendipity123]

I went to the vet. It is just a scratch. The vet wasn't sure if his scales will grow back or not. There is no redness or bleeding.

She said he must have been burrowing and scratched himself on the wood.

I put liner down in the hide and replaced it with coco coir.

He's gone into his hide a couple of times but walked straight out. Not happy with it at the moment.

But apart from the scratch the vet said he is a healthy tortoise and just doing what active tortoises do.

 

[zolasmum]

I went to the vet. It is just a scratch. The vet wasn't sure if his scales will grow back or not. There is no redness or bleeding.

She said he must have been burrowing and scratched himself on the wood.

I put liner down in the hide and replaced it with coco coir.

He's gone into his hide a couple of times but walked straight out. Not happy with it at the moment.

But apart from the scratch the vet said he is a healthy tortoise and just doing what active tortoises do.

That's great - you can sleep better tonight ! I'm sure Pickle will enjoy his new home and his new life with you - and you are fortunate to have two sources of help - the vet, who sounds very sensible, and this forum, which has some of the most experienced, kindest, and most helpful tortoise people around.
Congratulations and best wishes
Angie