[split] lethargic tortoise

[alexisd3000]

Hi, my tortoise seems to be going through the same thing, he eats maybe once a week and sleeps all day. Since November. the temps seem right in his enclosure we use topsoil and the reptile bark mix as a substrate. We gave him a night basking spot and soak him in a warm bath mixed with acidophilus and babyfood daily, which is all he eats or drinks at all. Sometimes that's all the activity he has for the whole day. The vet suggested yogurt or acidophilus to get his digestive system going, but he really won't eat anything. Our other tortoise is active, heavy, and eats everything, dispite any drafts on the floor or environment issues, she even has a smaller pen now. Is he just going through a winter hibernation thing? Is this normal? How much time can we wait before we need to get blood work or X-rays done?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Worried,
Alexis

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Alexis:

What kind of tortoise and how old is it?

 

[sibi]

Knowing what kind of tortoise you have is important to determine what types of food and temps he needs; however, this type of inactivity in not normal no matter what type of tort you have. Get him in for x-rays and blood work. That should tell you a lot of what's going on with him. Don't wait; get him in to the vet asap. In the meantime, tell us more about the tort. How long has he been like this?

 

[ascott]

Russians....