What's wrong with my Russian Tortoise?

Question

I've been kind of neglecting my Russian Tortoise, Speedy. I feel terrible. I've been kinda busy, but there's been tons of chances for me to clean and feed him. I'd say it has been a few months. He's not eating when I feed him (trying to feed him Spring Mix Lettuce, which contains endive, radicchio, a blend of baby lettuce, and some other greens). When he urinates, at first it was a thick, deep yellow liquid, which I know is not good. Now, after he's been soaked for a while, it's not as thick, and it's clearer. He also has the runs a little, but he's definitely not going a lot. Half of his cage (cleaned cage) has deep bedding, for digging, and a light for temperature. The other half has a thinner level of bedding and a food and water dish. Also for food, I plan on giving him Red and Green Lettuce, collards, kale, some dandelions, escarole, more Spring Mix, and a little Romaine lettuce and turnip greens. I know what I should and shouldn't feed him. So by what I said, is he sick? Is it just that I haven't been taking care of him? Will he be better soon, or should I take him to the vet? Please answer, and thank you.

Answer 1

definitely take him to the vet. dehydration is the worst thing so keep bathing him every day for some time. if he doesn't start eating, there could be something seriously wrong like an impaction or worms. the vet will help you to figure out what's wrong and how to treat him. you could try REPTOBOOST - it's made by Vetark and it's available everywhere in the UK. you add it to the bathing water. it has a probiotic and vitamins and other good stuff that will help your tortoise recover quicker.

good luck!

Answer 2

the urine is like this as he is dehydrated and he is not eating as he has been neglected, you do need to take him to a vet and get him checked over if a tortoise gets too dehydrated it can die, sorry to be harsh honey but you can't neglect a tortoise as they do get sick quickly and it can take a long time to cure them, if he has gone over a week with out eating you need to take him to a vet, these may be the hardiest of tortoises but they still need daily care, if a tortoise goes too long with out eating it will stop eating and can starve to death, even with hibernation they can only sleep for 12 weeks and that is if they are in top condition to survive it, sorry but you should feel terrible as being kinda busy is no excuse when it comes to neglecting your responsibilities, your tortoise can not feed and water it self and trust you to do it for him, get speedy to a vet and start to take responsibility for him or he will get sick and die, you don't mention  any UV lighting tortoises need this to help digest food and absorb calcium, you also need to be feeding a grated cuttle bone over the food or a good calcium supplement, here is a site that may help you in the care of speedy   http://russiantortoise.org/care_sheet.ht... please get him checked over by a reptile vet and start to care for him as you should hope he recovers best of luck

Answer 3

i think that it's a little bit because you've been neglecting him , but i also think that you should take him to the vet to get a proper diagnosis , hope this helped = ) ~ carmelicious ~