I've had 2 russian torts for about 2 years and one of them has definitely not been thriving. They were both very young when I bought them, weighing about 45 grams. Now one is 308 grams and a picture of good health while the other is 90 grams and very lethargic.
The smaller tortoise has had numerous issues, many of which I've discussed in this forum, but I'll give you a quick background. For starters, he's very picky about what he'll eat, preferring spring mix salad and rarely eating anything else I try to mix in. He does sometimes eat turnip greens and grape leaves when I have them. I believe a combination of bad parasites (resolved last spring) and bullying by his ultimately much larger brother, prevented him from eating enough food in general for a while. The two have been separated since february but he's still very lethargic and sleeps a lot, sometimes not getting up at all during the course of the day. He perks up a bit when he's outside, which is about 8-10 hours a week.
He also rubs his eyes often and is reluctant to open them much of the time. I had him at the vet recently for a total physical which included a 3 angle Xray and a broad fecal, blood, and liver function test. The vet said there were no obvious problems but thought he mainly just needed to eat healthier. He also didn't notice any type of eye infection. He recommended I get the tort to eat mazuri and more dark greens. I've tried working softened mazuri pellets into his diet but he refuses to eat them. I'm now grinding them up and sprinkling on his food. I'm also using the TNT powder from Carolina Pet Supply. I'm wondering if the eye issue is a vitamin A deficiency. Any ideas? I've read about people bathing torts in a carrot baby food/water solution. maybe I should give that a try. He does get soaked at least 4 days a week.
I've seen some liquid vitamin supplements with a syringe to apply directly to the animals mouth. Does anyone have any experience using these?
Because I know someone will ask, he's kept in a plastic tub with coconut bark bedding. There's a 100W UVB Zoo Med Powersun bulb with a basking temp in the low 90s and a cool side in the 70s during the day.
I'm trying my best to trick him into eating healthier things but I don't know if it's enough. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Patrick Del Pizzo
San Diego
The smaller tortoise has had numerous issues, many of which I've discussed in this forum, but I'll give you a quick background. For starters, he's very picky about what he'll eat, preferring spring mix salad and rarely eating anything else I try to mix in. He does sometimes eat turnip greens and grape leaves when I have them. I believe a combination of bad parasites (resolved last spring) and bullying by his ultimately much larger brother, prevented him from eating enough food in general for a while. The two have been separated since february but he's still very lethargic and sleeps a lot, sometimes not getting up at all during the course of the day. He perks up a bit when he's outside, which is about 8-10 hours a week.
He also rubs his eyes often and is reluctant to open them much of the time. I had him at the vet recently for a total physical which included a 3 angle Xray and a broad fecal, blood, and liver function test. The vet said there were no obvious problems but thought he mainly just needed to eat healthier. He also didn't notice any type of eye infection. He recommended I get the tort to eat mazuri and more dark greens. I've tried working softened mazuri pellets into his diet but he refuses to eat them. I'm now grinding them up and sprinkling on his food. I'm also using the TNT powder from Carolina Pet Supply. I'm wondering if the eye issue is a vitamin A deficiency. Any ideas? I've read about people bathing torts in a carrot baby food/water solution. maybe I should give that a try. He does get soaked at least 4 days a week.
I've seen some liquid vitamin supplements with a syringe to apply directly to the animals mouth. Does anyone have any experience using these?
Because I know someone will ask, he's kept in a plastic tub with coconut bark bedding. There's a 100W UVB Zoo Med Powersun bulb with a basking temp in the low 90s and a cool side in the 70s during the day.
I'm trying my best to trick him into eating healthier things but I don't know if it's enough. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Patrick Del Pizzo
San Diego
..especially since it is apparent that you have a tort that is a perfect example of what can happen when a pair is present and one bullies the other...I don't believe you have a failure to thrive...but rather a tough little survivor...
