Sick sulcata tortoise

[JoshIsTheBoss]

My sulcata tortoise “Thor” has a runny nose, he has had it for the past 2 weeks and I want to know how to help him heal from his sickness. The light used to be too low but I fixed that, now it is always at 80 degrees with about 55 humidity. How can I heal my tortoise?

 

[Dizisdalife]

Sometimes raising the temperature to 85° helps with a runny nose. Does Thor have a basking spot where he can warm up when he wants to? Has he been active and eating the two weeks that he has had this runny nose?

 

[Hutsie B]

yes, I agree with Dizdalife, more heat can help. If he has stopped eating and drinking for the time, I would think of taking him to a reptile vet....hope he gets better.

 

[TechnoCheese]

My sulcata tortoise “Thor” has a runny nose, he has had it for the past 2 weeks and I want to know how to help him heal from his sickness. The light used to be too low but I fixed that, now it is always at 80 degrees with about 55 humidity. How can I heal my tortoise?

Please post pics of the enclosure.
What is the basking temp, and what is the lowest temp in the enclosure?

 

[Tom]

My sulcata tortoise “Thor” has a runny nose, he has had it for the past 2 weeks and I want to know how to help him heal from his sickness. The light used to be too low but I fixed that, now it is always at 80 degrees with about 55 humidity. How can I heal my tortoise?

There are four temperatures to know and control: Warm side, cool side, basking area and overnight low.

Where is it 80 degrees and when? What is the overnight low temp? What are you using to maintain that temp? What size is the tortoise and what size is the enclosure?

Respiratory infections are usually caused by low temps, especially at night. The cure, if its not too far along, is to warm things up. Try keeping the temp no lower than 85 anywhere in the enclosure day or night, plus the normal basking area of 100 degrees for two weeks after symptoms have disappeared. Soak daily in warm water during this time to prevent dehydration, and do NOT let the water get cold during the soaks.

 

[JoshIsTheBoss]

There are four temperatures to know and control: Warm side, cool side, basking area and overnight low.

Where is it 80 degrees and when? What is the overnight low temp? What are you using to maintain that temp? What size is the tortoise and what size is the enclosure?

Respiratory infections are usually caused by low temps, especially at night. The cure, if its not too far along, is to warm things up. Try keeping the temp no lower than 85 anywhere in the enclosure day or night, plus the normal basking area of 100 degrees for two weeks after symptoms have disappeared. Soak daily in warm water during this time to prevent dehydration, and do NOT let the water get cold during the soaks.

I keep it at 80 for most of the day, including night, and for now my enclosure is too small for a basking area so I put a Zilla bridge so he can get closer to the heat. I do plan on getting a bigger enclosure. So don’t worry about that. And I’ll make sure the water stays warm. (By the way, the area with the lowest temperature is his walk in water bowl.) Also he isn’t even a year old *i think* and he’s about 3 inches long (head extended)

 

[Tom]

I keep it at 80 for most of the day, including night, and for now my enclosure is too small for a basking area so I put a Zilla bridge so he can get closer to the heat. I do plan on getting a bigger enclosure. So don’t worry about that. And I’ll make sure the water stays warm. (By the way, the area with the lowest temperature is his walk in water bowl.) Also he isn’t even a year old *i think* and he’s about 3 inches long (head extended)

Sulcatas all nee a basking area that gets around 100 degrees. 80 degrees is too cool.

Josh, if you don't make some immediate changes and start housing and heating this tortoise correctly it is not going to live. Please read these threads and make the necessary corrections ASAP:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[Maro2Bear]

I keep it at 80 for most of the day, including night, and for now my enclosure is too small for a basking area so I put a Zilla bridge so he can get closer to the heat. I do plan on getting a bigger enclosure. So don’t worry about that. And I’ll make sure the water stays warm. (By the way, the area with the lowest temperature is his walk in water bowl.) Also he isn’t even a year old *i think* and he’s about 3 inches long (head extended)

Josh, your Sully might not know to use the bridge to get warmer. Tom has followed up below with some critical points to follow. The bridge seems obvious to you, I doubt to a tortoise....hes probably complaining that something is in his way.

 

[JoshIsTheBoss]

Sulcatas all nee a basking area that gets around 100 degrees. 80 degrees is too cool.

Josh, if you don't make some immediate changes and start housing and heating this tortoise correctly it is not going to live. Please read these threads and make the necessary corrections ASAP:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Can you send me a picture of your enclosure or any enclosure so I can go off of that?

 

[Big Charlie]

Can you send me a picture of your enclosure or any enclosure so I can go off of that?

There is an enclosure section of the forum with lots of ideas. Make sure the enclosures you look at were meant for sulcatas or similar species.
https://tortoiseforum.org/forums/tortoise-enclosures.7/

 

[Tom]

Can you send me a picture of your enclosure or any enclosure so I can go off of that?

Yes sir! I can do that!

Here are a few:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/closed-chambers.32333/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/our-new-closed-chamber-for-our-new-group-of-tortoises.138430/

Don't read the text here. It was an experiment that didn't produce great results, but check out the enclosure pics:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/2015-growth-experiment.119874/

And if building stuff isn't your thing, you can buy one here, and they will even install your heating and light fixtures for you:
http://www.apcages.com/home/terrestrial/terrestrial.htm
Get the biggest one you have room for.

 

[Tom]

Can you send me a picture of your enclosure or any enclosure so I can go off of that?

All the things I showed you will take time to build and get up and running. Your tortoise needs the correct heating and lighting right now! Today!

You can go to Home Depot and get a large plastic tub, the heat bulbs, fixtures, water and food saucers and you might even find fine grade orchid bark at your local HD or OSH. Then your tortoise needs night heat. It should never drop below 80. Not below 85 for one that is already showing signs of sickness. You can put the tub in a bathroom with a space heater and close the door until to have time to get a CHE and a thermostat.

Housing your tortoise the way I described above will keep it alive in the short term, but it is too dry for the long term, so still you need proper housing and heat ASAP.