Tortoise wont pee

[The Dashing Pistachio]

I have observed that my Russian male has not been peeing for about a month now. What should I do? I am really concerned and if this helps I haven't seen him poop in a while now too. Any suggestions?

 

[zovick]

I have observed that my Russian male has not been peeing for about a month now. What should I do? I am really concerned and if this helps I haven't seen him poop in a while now too. Any suggestions?

Try feeding foods with high water content. Cucumbers, romaine lettuce, green and yellow squash are some examples. All of those are about 95% water. Red tomatoes are 94% water.

Here is a chart showing water content of vegetables:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://urbanwormcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Water-Amounts-in-Fruits-and-Vegetables-Handout-Week-10.pdf

 

[The Dashing Pistachio]

Thank you I will try to, is there a chance he is constipated

 

[zovick]

Thank you I will try to, is there a chance he is constipated

You said the tortoise hasn't urinated in a month. If you haven't seen the tortoise defecate in a month either, there is a very good chance that it is constipated.

 

[The Dashing Pistachio]

Ok is there anything I can do about the constipation or are the veggies going to help too?

 

[COmtnLady]

Movement and the "wet" foods mentioned above, should help with constipation. Some drops of mineral oil (on a favorite food that he'll scarf down without realizing its got oil on it) would be a good idea, too. Also swab the cloaca with the oil on a Q-Tip.

A way to get your tortoise moving would be to put it into an long soak (an hour or so), in water JUST deep enough that it can't touch bottom. This will force him to move his legs a lot, which will massage his digestive system and should get it moving. The water needs to be lukewarm (95F -ish if you have a temp gun) and be kept warm the entire time. You will need to watch closely that he doesn't get into trouble since he can't touch the bottom. Its ok for him to dip his face in the water, just make sure he can keep above water and not drown. Try this for a few days in a row. If he still doesn't poop, get to a good exotics vet because it could be a case of impaction/intestinal blockage, which can kill your tortoise.

 

[COmtnLady]

Here is a quote from one of our most knowledgeable members ~

You can draw up some mineral oil in a syringe with no needle and gently insert it into the cloaca. Mineral oil is non absorbptive and just coats the blockage helping it to slide out.

Its from this thread about a tortoise having problems going potty and might help your situation.

X-ray diagnosis needed

Following over a year since the last health issue my tortoise is swollen again and can no longer move. I took it to the vet, who prescribed antibiotics once more, but its bowel is not functioning for 2 weeks now. I also did an X-rays taken by a vet who is not specialized in reptiles, so I’m not...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[The Dashing Pistachio]

Thank you, what is the best type of mineral oil to use?

 

[zovick]

Thank you, what is the best type of mineral oil to use?

In the US, it is sold OTC in drug stores and labeled simply as "Mineral Oil". I don't believe there are different named varieties here as there seem to be in the European countries. I believe it's all the same anyway no matter what the name.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I saw some with fragrances (for skin care) and with some other additives (probably, to enhance laxative effect). But pure pharmaceutical grade mineral oil is available too.

 

[Sarah2020]

Hi, I would soak it in warm shallow water for an hour in a high sided container. Observe from afar and change water after 30 mins. Ideally you need 2 x high sided containers to prepare and switch the tort over. Do this AM and PM daily. They hydrate and they normally wee and poo. Check diet and monitor ensure calcium is included in the fresh leaves and also provide a cuttle fish bone for strong bone , shell, claw, beak etc..growth. Let us know how you get on.

 

[The Dashing Pistachio]

Is baby mineral oil with fragrance okay to use

 

[jaizei]

Is baby mineral oil with fragrance okay to use

no

 

[The Dashing Pistachio]

What oil is okay to use then because I can't find a pure mineral oil

 

[jaizei]

Walmart: Equate Mineral Oil Lubricant Laxative Liquid for Constipation, 16 fl oz

Equate Mineral Oil Lubricant Laxative Liquid for Constipation, 16 fl oz (474mL) HSA/FSA Eligible - Walmart.com

Buy Equate Mineral Oil Lubricant Laxative Liquid for Constipation, 16 fl oz (474mL) at Walmart.com. HSA/FSA eligible, making your health and wellness purchases more manageable

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