Also, he doesn't stand on his back legs... they just go out to the sides. I just got him from a guy who kept him in a tiny tank... I'm pretty sure he just fed him lettuce. Trying to find a reptile vet in my area that won't cost a fortune...
wondering what type of tortoise?
- Thread starter Leebug
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Also, he doesn't stand on his back legs... they just go out to the sides. I just got him from a guy who kept him in a tiny tank... I'm pretty sure he just fed him lettuce. Trying to find a reptile vet in my area that won't cost a fortune...
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Looks like a desert tort to me. You need a permit for one of those but you dont need to get it right away.
Texas tortoise is my guess.
I have talked to the AZ Game and Fish people, emailed them some pics and found out that he is a desert tortoise but I don't need a permit b/c we did not buy him or find him~ someone gave it to us...
He is in bad shape but we will do what we can. We probably won't be able to get his back legs to ever go back to normal
does anyone know anything about Mercury Vapor Lights and where to get them???
I am guessing online b/c PetSmart had no idea what I was talking about!!
Well, thanks again!
Wish us luck in getting him healthy!
He is in bad shape but we will do what we can. We probably won't be able to get his back legs to ever go back to normal
does anyone know anything about Mercury Vapor Lights and where to get them??? I am guessing online b/c PetSmart had no idea what I was talking about!!
Well, thanks again!
Wish us luck in getting him healthy!
Darn, he just looks somehow different to me than most desert tortoises I've seen. Darker. With you being in AZ and all I should have guessed DT though. It would make more sense to have a DT.
I remember hearing something about back-leg paralysis in torts. Some sort of vitamin/mineral/protein deficiency if I remember right. Search the forum for a while and you may be able to pull some information up about it. I don't remember any details, but I do know that it has been addressed here on the forum and is in "the archives" if you have some time to sit down and look for it. Also, did you notice the TFO tortoise vet list on the front page? It would be a good place to start at when looking for a tortoise vet.
I remember hearing something about back-leg paralysis in torts. Some sort of vitamin/mineral/protein deficiency if I remember right. Search the forum for a while and you may be able to pull some information up about it. I don't remember any details, but I do know that it has been addressed here on the forum and is in "the archives" if you have some time to sit down and look for it. Also, did you notice the TFO tortoise vet list on the front page? It would be a good place to start at when looking for a tortoise vet.
M
Maggie Cummings
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I agree he looks more like a Texas tort than a desert tort. He has MBD. With lots of loving care he will come around. Give him lots of calcium, sprinkled over his food daily as he will pee out the excess. It's Metabolic Bone Disease...I promise with good food, strong UVB and lots of humidity he will come around and start using his back legs
If you order the MVB (mercury vapor bulb) online, you can get a better deal. I just bought a couple from Petmountain.com and they were $45 apiece. T-Rex active UV/heat 100 watt.
The color of the tortoise reminds me of Texas tortoises, however, I'm still thinking desert tortoise. Doesn't matter...same care for both.
The color of the tortoise reminds me of Texas tortoises, however, I'm still thinking desert tortoise. Doesn't matter...same care for both.
I THINK you need a permit regardless of how you got him..
lots of calcium and natural sunlight, good food.. might help him recover..
Goog luck and Congrats!!
lots of calcium and natural sunlight, good food.. might help him recover..
Goog luck and Congrats!!
I have talked to the AZ Game and Fish people, emailed them some pics and found out that he is a desert tortoise but I don't need a permit b/c we did not buy him or find him~ someone gave it to us...
Apparently ya don't need a permit ...I was thinking TT being so dark in color.Like Maggie said,he/she will come around with proper care.
Apparently ya don't need a permit ...I was thinking TT being so dark in color.Like Maggie said,he/she will come around with proper care.
No, we don't need permits here in AZ. State regulations allow for one per person.
If they end up in one of the adoption programs, they have their own rules, which is usually one per household.
Yes, it is a local (AZ) DT.
The mecury vapor bulbs (MVB) are available from several online sources as mentioned by other above, even ebay at times.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/
I have had good luck here. Dr. Funk knows tortoises.
Richard S. Funk, MA, DVM
Mesa Veterinary Hospital Ltd.
858 N. Country Club Drive
Mesa, AZ 85201
Tel: (480) 833-7330
Fax: (480) 833-0124
If they end up in one of the adoption programs, they have their own rules, which is usually one per household.
Yes, it is a local (AZ) DT.
The mecury vapor bulbs (MVB) are available from several online sources as mentioned by other above, even ebay at times.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/uvb-fluorescent-lights-mercury-vapor-bulbs/
I have had good luck here. Dr. Funk knows tortoises.
Richard S. Funk, MA, DVM
Mesa Veterinary Hospital Ltd.
858 N. Country Club Drive
Mesa, AZ 85201
Tel: (480) 833-7330
Fax: (480) 833-0124
Congrats & Good luck with the tort.
Glad he found someone that will take good care of him. Poor baby. What kind of substrate are you using? It looks really red.
Thanks for the links, everyone!!
I will be ordering a mercury light today.
The substrate is coconut wood. Is this good? (we are going to get some indoor/outdoor grass to put in his new home we are building)
We're thinking of making him a set of wheels
Thoughts on this?
We figure if his back legs don't work well, maybe wheels to help him exercise his arms???
Just brainstorming... We didn't realize how bad this guy was til after we got him
He still hasn't really eaten.
We are pretty much leaving him alone other than soaking him in warm water for about 20-30 min a day (can I over soak him?)
I have read that w/ young torts soaking them 2-3 times per week is good, but this guy isn't doing so well... so should I be soaking him every day or not???
I just hope he turns around... just got to wait for the new light to get here and hopefully get this dude warm enough so he'll eat!
I will be ordering a mercury light today.
The substrate is coconut wood. Is this good? (we are going to get some indoor/outdoor grass to put in his new home we are building)
We're thinking of making him a set of wheels
Thoughts on this?
We figure if his back legs don't work well, maybe wheels to help him exercise his arms???
Just brainstorming... We didn't realize how bad this guy was til after we got him
He still hasn't really eaten.
We are pretty much leaving him alone other than soaking him in warm water for about 20-30 min a day (can I over soak him?)
I have read that w/ young torts soaking them 2-3 times per week is good, but this guy isn't doing so well... so should I be soaking him every day or not???
I just hope he turns around... just got to wait for the new light to get here and hopefully get this dude warm enough so he'll eat!
CGKeith said:
We go to the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital http://www.azeah.com/ in Mesa. They've been really great, very thorough but they don't do unnecessary procedures either. I was really impressed with Dr. Johnson, he seemed really up to date on research (like the humidity/pyramiding stuff), plus he has sulcatas himself. They also do boarding if you have to go out of town.
-Devon
-Devon
Poor baby! Get him out in the sunshine as much as possible, but if he has trouble walking, be sure he can easily get into the shade so he doesn't over heat, or put him in dappled sunshine. UV lights are good, but sunshine is better. Lots of calcium and TLC. So glad he is in good hands now!
Hey, All!!!
Update on Franklin
He has been in his new home for a few weeks now and seems to love it... We do have a Mercury bulb and soak/feed every 3 days, even doing a little "physical therapy" with him when he walks
He is eating very well and seems to be doing great!!
SUNSHINE SUNSHINE SUNSHINE!!! Several people on both threads have mentioned it, but I really wanted to emphasize it. A good diet, calcium supplementation, and lots of SUNSHINE, will probably turn this little guy around and get him walking again. Being outside on natural ground and grazing on grass and weeds will work wonders for him. I'd soak him at least every other day too.
Your enclosure looks great. Nice job. Your light bulb will work better if you somehow mount it directly overhead. I usually hang them by their cords. This is much safer AND it allows you to adjust the height to get your temp just right. Those clamps ALWAYS fail eventually.
Your enclosure looks great. Nice job. Your light bulb will work better if you somehow mount it directly overhead. I usually hang them by their cords. This is much safer AND it allows you to adjust the height to get your temp just right. Those clamps ALWAYS fail eventually.
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