Upset Stomach

[Vicki78]

Hi

I have an Indian Star approx 6 yrs old. We live in the UK Manchester. I have only had him for a week (passed via a friend).

I was told he likes pak choi, chicory & courgette so this is what I have fed him. I read that they like cucumber but then found out (from my friend) it gives him the runs. Over the past 3 days he passed a semi solid stool with bits of veg in it (sorry for being graphic but the more info the better in my mind).

What's the best way to make his stools firm again? There is alot of conflicting information on the Internet.

Many thanks
Vicki & Sheldon

 

[wellington]

I don't own that species, however, cucumber is mostly water. Don't give it to him and his stool should get back to normal. Then if you want to give it to him, do so only as a small treat and not too often. This post will also give your thread a bump and hopefully you will get some more ideas.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Vicki:

Welcome to the Tortoise Forum!!

I know absolutely NOTHING about the star tortoise, however, to firm up other tortoises' stools, you feed them more roughage. So maybe try to get your tortoise to eat some grass or hay.

 

[tortadise]

Hello vicki and welcome to the forum. I don't feed my stars bok Choy. Stars need a good ruphaged diet like Yvonne stated. I feed mine mustard, turnip greens, endive, dandelion, hibiscus leaves and flowers, and once a week some yellow squash and assorted fruits. They will graze like crazy too. Lots of grasses and weeds. Not certain if you can get cactus in the U.K but that is a very good source of healthy food to feed them.

 

[Vicki78]

Hello vicki and welcome to the forum. I don't feed my stars bok Choy. Stars need a good ruphaged diet like Yvonne stated. I feed mine mustard, turnip greens, endive, dandelion, hibiscus leaves and flowers, and once a week some yellow squash and assorted fruits. They will graze like crazy too. Lots of grasses and weeds. Not certain if you can get cactus in the U.K but that is a very good source of healthy food to feed them.

Many thanks Tortadise.
Just one more thing.... can I use just the hay the local pet shop sells for rabbits & guinnea pigs or is there something more specific?
Oh and another... I use the pellet substrate on the bottom of the tank and have read this is no good and to use coco coir. But I have also read this can carry bugs. What would you recommend?

Man thanks
Vicki & Sheldon

 

[dhru1999]

Hello,

I have a baby/toddler star. Do not give star tortoises cucumbers. Apparently they can choke on them. If you stop feeding him the cucumber it should be find

 

[Vicki78]

Hello,

I have a baby/toddler star. Do not give star tortoises cucumbers. Apparently they can choke on them. If you stop feeding him the cucumber it should be find

Hi dhru1999

What do you use as substrate?

 

[dhru1999]

Hello,

I have a baby/toddler star. Do not give star tortoises cucumbers. Apparently they can choke on them. If you stop feeding him the cucumber it should be find

Hi dhru1999

What do you use as substrate?

I have been using rainforest bark (packaged)

 

[tortadise]

Yea remove the rabbit pellets. They hold no moisture and mold when wet. Use the coco fiber and mix it up with cypress mulch and keep it moist by filling it up with watering pale and mix it around. The rabbit pellets and hay are not really suitable for stars.

 

[Jacob]

Ditto with above, try to feed cactus, mazuri, hibisucs leaves and flowers, rose pedals, some spring mix here and there, kale, weeds!