Hi
Im a new member here, I just came across across this forum and I hope to learn from the experts here !
First off, Ill tell you a little story about my first (small) tortoise. I had him many years ago and heres how I took care of him: I put him in a cardboard box that i cut off, I put some little rocks inside like the ones in a fish bowl and a big rock for his 'nails' so he can cut them as he climbs it. I only fed him lettuce and only put him in water once a month. Now that I know better, I realize that this doesnt sound good but I was a teen and this was what the pet store advised me to do. Anyway, some days I took his box outside for some sun. He stayed with me for around 5 years and I never noticed any problems with him. I left him in the care of my friend for a couple of weeks as I had to travel and he died in her care. Im still so sad and bitter about it, I loved my tortoise very very much.
And now for the present,
So, I bought a couple of Russian torts around 2 years ago. I set them up in a nice habitat. I put some of those wood pieces for their base, added some rocks which they sometimes rest their tiny head on and a little 'cave' that they love hiding in. I recently bought a 50W UVB light and clipped it to their enclosure. I put them in water about once a week and I feed them a variety of veggies: Arugula, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, and whatever mixed leaves I find at the supermarket. On very rare occasion i put one small raspberry or a small strawberry or apple.
Now to my problem.
My torts seems to be sick. A while ago I noticed that one had a runny nose and he made a squeeking noise but I forgot about it because it seemed to have went by its own. Recently I noticed it came back and this time both seem to have it. They both try to scratch their little nose and I help them to wipe it off whenever I can. One of them looks smaller than the other eventhough they were the same size when I got them, and his shell from the botyom is softer than his friend. One of them makes a wierd sound, like a cough or a sneeze. Can someone please help me on whats going on ??
We didnt have a good vet here for torts so I had to look up answers online and most recommended that I get a UV light and a heating light (which i did) and they recommended i get them vitamins. I bought them a tort vitamin pellets but they don't like it so i have to dampen it and almost force feed them myself.
I finally found a good vet and I scheduled an appointment for tmw so I will update you on what happens but I need your advice ? What am I doing wrong ? My heart is breaking I really love them and I hate to see them like this.
Note:
I dont know how old they are or what their gender is, also I havent named them because ive never actually named my pets.
Also,
Is my habitat set up right ? They love this cave but sometimes they climb it and fall upside down and I dont know how long they stay like that before I find them and flip them back. They really love that cave and they dont flip often maybe once every 3 weeks, should I keep it or what ?
Im a new member here, I just came across across this forum and I hope to learn from the experts here !
First off, Ill tell you a little story about my first (small) tortoise. I had him many years ago and heres how I took care of him: I put him in a cardboard box that i cut off, I put some little rocks inside like the ones in a fish bowl and a big rock for his 'nails' so he can cut them as he climbs it. I only fed him lettuce and only put him in water once a month. Now that I know better, I realize that this doesnt sound good but I was a teen and this was what the pet store advised me to do. Anyway, some days I took his box outside for some sun. He stayed with me for around 5 years and I never noticed any problems with him. I left him in the care of my friend for a couple of weeks as I had to travel and he died in her care. Im still so sad and bitter about it, I loved my tortoise very very much.
And now for the present,
So, I bought a couple of Russian torts around 2 years ago. I set them up in a nice habitat. I put some of those wood pieces for their base, added some rocks which they sometimes rest their tiny head on and a little 'cave' that they love hiding in. I recently bought a 50W UVB light and clipped it to their enclosure. I put them in water about once a week and I feed them a variety of veggies: Arugula, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, and whatever mixed leaves I find at the supermarket. On very rare occasion i put one small raspberry or a small strawberry or apple.
Now to my problem.
My torts seems to be sick. A while ago I noticed that one had a runny nose and he made a squeeking noise but I forgot about it because it seemed to have went by its own. Recently I noticed it came back and this time both seem to have it. They both try to scratch their little nose and I help them to wipe it off whenever I can. One of them looks smaller than the other eventhough they were the same size when I got them, and his shell from the botyom is softer than his friend. One of them makes a wierd sound, like a cough or a sneeze. Can someone please help me on whats going on ??
We didnt have a good vet here for torts so I had to look up answers online and most recommended that I get a UV light and a heating light (which i did) and they recommended i get them vitamins. I bought them a tort vitamin pellets but they don't like it so i have to dampen it and almost force feed them myself.
I finally found a good vet and I scheduled an appointment for tmw so I will update you on what happens but I need your advice ? What am I doing wrong ? My heart is breaking I really love them and I hate to see them like this.
Note:
I dont know how old they are or what their gender is, also I havent named them because ive never actually named my pets.
Also,
Is my habitat set up right ? They love this cave but sometimes they climb it and fall upside down and I dont know how long they stay like that before I find them and flip them back. They really love that cave and they dont flip often maybe once every 3 weeks, should I keep it or what ?