What does a sick Russian tortoise look like?
SIGNS OF A SICK TORTOISE Signs to watch for include lethargy, bubbling from the nose, wheezing, swollen or closed eyes, lack of appetite for more than 2-3 days, loose stools, soft shell or abnormal shell growth or beak growth.
What are the signs of a sick tortoise?
Signs your tortoise needs veterinary care
- Respiratory problems.
- Vomiting or weight loss.
- Drooping head or limbs.
- Gaping mouth.
- Not eating after hibernation.
- Lethargy and weakness.
- Lumps or swelling.
- Runny eyes or nose.
What happens if a Russian tortoise gets too cold?
It also must choose a burrow or other shelter that stay above freezing. If a tortoise lacks sufficient body fat to last through hibernation, it may die during this time or may emerge in the spring so debilitated it is unable to regain its health. If the hibernaculum gets too cold, the tortoise will freeze to death.
What should be in a Russian tortoise enclosure?
Size – Indoor enclosure should be at least 36”x12”; outdoor enclosure should be at least 48”x48” with a secure screened cover to allow sunshine but provide protection; the walls should be high enough that the tortoise can’t escape and buried at least 12” into the ground, as Russian tortoises will dig.
What is the best food for a Russian tortoise?
Collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, watercress, escarole, swiss chard, parsley, kale, spinach, endive, spring mix, and romaine are all good choices.
What is the lowest temperature a Russian tortoise can survive?
These tortoises can handle nighttime temperatures into the low 50s without a problem. Russian tortoises do not need to hibernate to be healthy, so tortoises kept indoors and maintained at stable temperatures will never skip a beat while winter winds below outside.
How often should a Russian tortoise eat?
How much and how often should I feed my tortoise? As a general rule, you should offer an amount of food equivalent to the size of your tortoise’s shell. They should be fed once a day, 5 days a week. The 2 starve days can be implemented at any time, in any order.
What are the health issues of Russian tortoise?
With the exception of a few smaller species, such as the Russian tortoise, outdoor enclosures or custom indoor enclosures larger than standard aquariums are going to be needed to provide proper space for a tortoise as it grows. Improper care is the most common underlying problem behind most tortoises’ health issues.
What to look for in a Russian tortoise?
Tortoises are especially susceptible to respiratory ailments and nutritional deficiencies. Signs to watch for include lethargy, bubbling from the nose, wheezing, swollen or closed eyes, lack of appetite for more than 2-3 days, loose stools, soft shell or abnormal shell growth or beak growth.
Can a Russian tortoise Breathe Out of its mouth?
You may notice wheezing and sometimes a mucous discharge from the nose and/or mouth. If you wait until the tortoise is breathing out of its mouth, you’re not in for good results.
What should I do if my Russian tortoise wont shrink?
For minor treatment at home, you’ll need to soak the tortoise in a saline solution or lukewarm sugar water. Do not push the tissues back in place, but if they don’t shrink, you’ll need to make an appointment as soon as possible.
What kind of health problems do Russian tortoises have?
Internal parasites are most common with wild-caught and imported Russian tortoises, but captive ones may also have internal parasites, so it’s always a good idea to have a fecal test on new tortoises. Roundworms are common to tortoises and will usually cause diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and a lack of appetite.
Tortoises are especially susceptible to respiratory ailments and nutritional deficiencies. Signs to watch for include lethargy, bubbling from the nose, wheezing, swollen or closed eyes, lack of appetite for more than 2-3 days, loose stools, soft shell or abnormal shell growth or beak growth.
You may notice wheezing and sometimes a mucous discharge from the nose and/or mouth. If you wait until the tortoise is breathing out of its mouth, you’re not in for good results.
What happens if you cut a Russian tortoise’s shell?
In most cases, the bacteria or fungus will enter the body through a cut, scrape, or lesion on the shell. If not caught and treated early, shell rot can lead to septicemia (which is an infection of the bloodstream).
