Tinted Urine (not urate)

[FomTarro]

Hey all!

I have a little Horsfield's tortoise, probably about 10 years old. Recently I have observed the liquid component of her urine being tinted what appears to be an orange color. It does NOT appear to be blood. The urate component has also been a little bit chalky. Otherwise her behavior also seems perfectly normal.

She's been eating a lot of shamrock lately because that's what's been growing, so I'm wondering if it's maybe a dietary thing, dehydration (though soak her multiple times a week) or if I should be concerned about a kidney/liver issue. We live in the New England area where temps don't really pass 85F and humidity is around 30-50% daily.

Thanks.

 

[EppsDynasty]

Different foods cause this discoloration and it's not always a sign of kidney issues. We see this tinting in our tort water dishes everyday.

 

[FomTarro]

Yeah, her behavior is COMPLETELY normal otherwise so I'm inclined to keep a cool head and write it off as that, but she eats shamrock every summer and I've never seen this before...

 

[zovick]

Yeah, her behavior is COMPLETELY normal otherwise so I'm inclined to keep a cool head and write it off as that, but she eats shamrock every summer and I've never seen this before...

This type of coloration may simply indicate that your tortoise is somewhat dehydrated and is therefore concentrating its urine to conserve water. I would suggest trying DAILY soaks of 20-30 minutes minimum in lukewarm water. The urine color should return to normal in a couple of weeks or less.

I don't think this has anything to do with the tortoise eating shamrocks.

 

[FomTarro]

Noted, I will increase the frequency of soaks to daily. Seems like folks don't believe it to be an organ issue? That's a relief.

 

[zovick]

Noted, I will increase the frequency of soaks to daily. Seems like folks don't believe it to be an organ issue? That's a relief.

Of course, it could be a kidney and/or liver failure problem, but with the info provided, and the tortoise acting normally in all other respects, I truly doubt that is the case.

In this instance, I would consider the most obvious problem first.

As an aside, do you know that US Marines (and other service members) were given urine color charts to carry with them so that they could tell when they were becoming dehydrated and drink more water?

Note the color at the far right. It looks almost the same color as your tortoise's urine:

https://www.usmc-mccs.org/modules/media/?do=inline&id=ed48b90f-d929-4fec-bfda-0a8f15942711&v=1

 

[FomTarro]

Yes, I did actually know that And I agree, the color does unfortunately match. I'm mostly surprised it would take such a sudden dive, as I believe her hydration regimen has been pretty consistent forever. But I'll up the frequency and report back in about I week I suppose.

 

[zovick]

Yes, I did actually know that And I agree, the color does unfortunately match. I'm mostly surprised it would take such a sudden dive, as I believe her hydration regimen has been pretty consistent forever. But I'll up the frequency and report back in about I week I suppose.

That seems to be the best approach at the present time. Good luck!

Where in MA do you live? I grew up in Winchester. Lived there on Grove St. from 1953 to 1971 when I went into the US Army.

 

[Yvonne G]

In my experience russians aren't a fan of soaking. I provide a waterer, which I never see them use, plus I always spritz water over the food I feed them.

 

[FomTarro]

In my experience russians aren't a fan of soaking. I provide a waterer, which I never see them use, plus I always spritz water over the food I feed them.

I always water the greens when I feed her prepared food indoors, but come summertime she's shifted primarily to grazing outdoors which doesn't permit that quite as easily. Maybe that's the issue.

 

[EppsDynasty]

That seems to be the best approach at the present time. Good luck!

Where in MA do you live? I grew up in Winchester. Lived there on Grove St. from 1953 to 1971 when I went into the US Army.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE !!!
Even more legendary you have become.