I think my tort is sick

[laney]

Hey, my little Yoshi has been acting exactly the same. I have his CHE on a thermostat so usually just go by that for temps but last night I temp checked the whole enclosure with temp gun and it was giving out really weird readings completely mixed even right under the CHE it was varying so much. Not really sure if its theCHE bulb needing replaced but its under a year old. Might be the same for you? It would be worth checking.

 

[karleyreed]

Just done some temp checks. I'm thinking it's possibly too warm, however this confuses me as he's always at the warm side and won't venture to the cool side?? I got a reading of around 110 directly under the basking Spot, the warm side came back as being 80 and the cool side was, 70.

Sorry for the late reply folks, I've just endured a 27hour shift so wasn't able to check these temps till now. He is a western hermanns tortoise. Around 1 and a half inches long, and approx 75g, I couldn't get a precise weight as the only scales I had were pretty old so I don't want to rely on them too much, I have some new ones on order though. Any more info you would like I will be happy to give you.

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Some parts of his enclosure is darker than others, and that's the spots he tends to have his snooze or chill time, I have slightly re arrange to ensure light is getting to all areas of his enclosure. Apart from obviously under and inside his hides.

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Also, I am perhaps wondering, if it could be the substrate? 3/4 of his enclosure is filled with tortoise life substrate, a mix of 50:50 top soil and sand with limestone pieces, then the other 1/4 is coco husk bark like substrate, this is at the warm end in order to maintain humidity. He seem to take to the coco husk right away, and quite enjoys burrowing himself in it, does any1 think I should covert the whole enclosure to just one substrate? Advice is very much appreciated.

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His eyes are clear and so are his nostrils, I did though, notice he had what felt like a little scrape of chip in his shell. Also, I know this may sound silly, but do all torts feel cold to touch??

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Hey, my little Yoshi has been acting exactly the same. I have his CHE on a thermostat so usually just go by that for temps but last night I temp checked the whole enclosure with temp gun and it was giving out really weird readings completely mixed even right under the CHE it was varying so much. Not really sure if its theCHE bulb needing replaced but its under a year old. Might be the same for you? It would be worth checking.

I hope yoshi gets better soon! I'm worried sick about mike!! I've kinky had him since November last year, so my CHE is only 3 month old. I'm thinking of perhaps replacing it though. I just need to get to the bottom of it. The next step will be a vet visit.

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I have attached 2 videos, one of how slowly he moves, the other of his trying to eat, but just looking like he can't be bothered. He's now sat in the same spot, head half way in his shell with his eyes closed? This is just so out of character!

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<a href="http://s1284.photobucket.com/albums...D28BD9C8-482-000000D5D288FB62_zps07241929.mp4" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums...D28BD9C8-482-000000D5D288FB62_zps07241929.mp4" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

<a href="http://s1284.photobucket.com/albums...F9F5D963-482-000000D65C513EA0_zpscf9fb78c.mp4" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums...F9F5D963-482-000000D65C513EA0_zpscf9fb78c.mp4" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

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http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums...D28BD9C8-482-000000D5D288FB62_zps07241929.mp4

http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums...F9F5D963-482-000000D65C513EA0_zpscf9fb78c.mp4

 

[laney]

I know what you mean. Yeah under my CHE was giving warmer temps too but its weird coz he stays under the warm part. It's like mines is depressed! Won't bother with anything, its so frustrating. It sounds really similar to mike. Hope ur little guy feels better soon and someone can help.

 

[JoesMum]

I'm just wondering. Are you use the CHE for basking? Normally that's used for extra heat and basking is under a spot lamp which provides a better focussed basking spot of the right temperature.

 

[karleyreed]

I'm just wondering. Are you use the CHE for basking? Normally that's used for extra heat and basking is under a spot lamp which provides a better focussed basking spot of the right temperature.

I only have a CHE. When I got everything for him that's all I was advised to have. He does sit under it though.

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I know what you mean. Yeah under my CHE was giving warmer temps too but its weird coz he stays under the warm part. It's like mines is depressed! Won't bother with anything, its so frustrating. It sounds really similar to mike. Hope ur little guy feels better soon and someone can help.

I know it's horrible! Poor little guy! It really is frustrating. As I don't know what he wants / needs. I'm hoping it's just a phase or the seasons. Hoping he will chirp up soon! Let me know how yoshi gets on.

 

[Thalatte]

Do you have a UVB source?

 

[Yvonne G]

After seeing the picture, he's dehydrated. See how his eyes are sunken in? It won't hurt to put him into t little tub of water with a light placed at one end and just leave him there. I've made mistakes in the past and forgotten I had babies soaking and left them there all day. No harm will come to him as long as he doesn't tip upside down. Just keep checking on him and leave him in there for at least a half hour. Soak him every day or twice a day.

 

[JoesMum]

I only have a CHE. When I got everything for him that's all I was advised to have. He does sit under it though.

With only a CHE, the light levels are possibly not bright enough for proper activity. You are trying recreate a summer's day indoors and at this time of year in the Northern hemisphere, low light levels outdoors affect those indoors.

Try replacing the CHE with a spot lamp - standard 100W household spot bulb will do (not a low energy one)

 

[karleyreed]

Yes I have a UVB source. I'll upload a pik of it. Him being hydrated, does that mean the enclosure is too warm? He gets soaked every other day, but I will take your advice and start and do it twice a day. Will I need another heat source? Or will just another UVB source work?

that's the current one I have. From what I can see on the bulb It says it's a 30 watt. And it is about half way up my enclosure.

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Also, I can't replace the CHE as it gets so cold here on a night, I leave it on low.

 

[JoesMum]

Your UVB provides just that and some light. By day your tort probably needs it even brighter plus the extra heat.

Last winter, when Joe couldn't hibernate, like you I had a Ceramic Heater that I used to keep the temperatures up overnight.

In the day, I have a UVB tuvbe and the CHE goes off . I use a spot lamp bulb to provide both extra light and a focussed heat source for basking.

You could try using a desk lamp or similar to get extra light into your enclosure, but a basking spot lamp would be better.

 

[karleyreed]

Your UVB provides just that and some light. By day your tort probably needs it even brighter plus the extra heat.

Last winter, when Joe couldn't hibernate, like you I had a Ceramic Heater that I used to keep the temperatures up overnight.

In the day, I have a UVB tuvbe and the CHE goes off . I use a spot lamp bulb to provide both extra light and a focussed heat source for basking.

You could try using a desk lamp or similar to get extra light into your enclosure, but a basking spot lamp would be better.

Where could I get one? Just a normal reptile store? And where would I put it? In the warm end aswel? Half way up the enclosure? Would more heat not make him more dehydrated? Or could I just souley rely on that and as you say use the CHE as a night time heat source?? Good news is, he's eating again. He has water available 24/7 but never goes to it himself. Would the bulb in the new light have to be UVB also, aswel as heat efficient?

 

[JoesMum]

You are not talking more heat. There is a very little heat from the UVB tube.

The spot lamp is instead of the CHE. At night the CHE would be on and the spot lamp off. In the day, the spot lamp on and the CHE off.

What you should get as a result of this, in the daytme, is more light which will encourage activity and a better focussed hot-spot for basking. (You said that temperatures under your CHE were all over the place)

You can get a basking lamp holder like this (there are several brands) from the pet store. The bulb that goes in it can be a standard 100W household spot lamp with a screw thread (It's cheaper than branded reptile ones from the pet store)

 

[karleyreed]

You are not talking more heat. There is a very little heat from the UVB tube.

The spot lamp is instead of the CHE. At night the CHE would be on and the spot lamp off. In the day, the spot lamp on and the CHE off.

What you should get as a result of this, in the daytme, is more light which will encourage activity and a better focussed hot-spot for basking. (You said that temperatures under your CHE were all over the place)

You can get a basking lamp holder like this (there are several brands) from the pet store. The bulb that goes in it can be a standard 100W household spot lamp with a screw thread (It's cheaper than branded reptile ones from the pet store)

Ok thankyou!! That's great news. I shall Defo take your advice and get back to you on improvements / no improvements. Thanks again.

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I've ordered that exact lamp, will this bulb be sufficient?

 

[JoesMum]

That's great

Just remember that at night you want the temperature in the 60s. You don't need basking heat, so you can turn the CHE down

 

[karleyreed]

That's great

Just remember that at night you want the temperature in the 60s. You don't need basking heat, so you can turn the CHE down

Thankyou! So will the spot lamp give off enough heat? And the CHE won't need to be on during the day? Sorry for all of the questions, just want to be 100% sure

 

[JoesMum]

Hopefully it will be fine. There are no guarantees, but I can't why it wouldn't work.

To adjust the basking temperature, move the basking lamp up or down. The closer it is to the substrate, the hotter it will be under it. Put a piece of stone, slate or tile under the lamp. Your tort will love to lie on it under the lamp

 

[laney]

Is a basking lamp safe for a viv? I was under the impression they weren't but could be wrong. I noticed Yoshi go down hill when I separated him from Harley and I though he might be missing the heat lamp so when I gave him an one top extension attached onto his viv I added a heat lamp on the added bit as well as the CHE. Have to admit though its still the CHE he stays fixed under all the time.

 

[laney]

How's you little fella today?

 

[luvpetz27]

How is he doing? any better?

 

[karleyreed]

Hes eating again which is good I guess. Still quite lazy though. The other light hasn't arrived yet so will see how he's gettin in when it does! Thanks for asking! What about yoshi?