MaggieTheTortoiseGirl
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2016
- Messages
- 2
Hello, all.
I am writing to you with a heavy heart, as my pancake tortoise, Maple, passed earlier today. I am hoping for some help pinpointing what might have happened.
First, some background on his care. I acquired him (Or it. I was not actually informed of the sex) about a year ago from a local breeder as a hatchling. I wasn't told of the exact age, but he couldn't have been very old, maybe a couple of months. Since then he has been kept in a tub on cypress mulch with two hides, one on the warm side and one on the cool side. The warm side was kept around 80-85 degree F with a hotspot at 90-95 degree's F. The cool side was kept no lower than 75 F. Maple always had water available and was soaked 2-3 times a week to ensure he didn't dehydrate. Humidity hung around 50%. He had UVB available via a strip light to ensure the light was distributed throughout the enclosure. In terms of food, he was offered organic spring mix and was typically offered timothy hay to graze on. I do have other tortoises, however I always make sure I wash my hands in between handling tortoises because I've seen what can happen if cross-contamination occurs.
That being said, two weeks ago he stopped eating quite like he used to. He'd nibble at his food, but never finishing it. This progressed to the point where he eventually quit eating over the past few days and his eyes had sunk in considerably. I had planned to call tomorrow to make an appointment with my very reputable exotic vet who has experience with all reptiles big and small, however tonight I went to soak him and he'd already passed. His eyes had sunken significantly by this point. Other than that, the only thing I noticed is that he hasn't pooped recently. This indicates to me that he might have been dealing with a stomach impaction, however I was hoping to get input from other tortoise keepers to try and pinpoint the issue.
If it's something that I did, I would like to know. I have other tortoises and want to ensure they have the best possible care. I have taken Maple's enclosure put it outside to freeze it and anything that might be living inside of it, and plan on bringing it inside and bleaching everything tomorrow.
Thank you in advance for any help!
Maggie
I am writing to you with a heavy heart, as my pancake tortoise, Maple, passed earlier today. I am hoping for some help pinpointing what might have happened.
First, some background on his care. I acquired him (Or it. I was not actually informed of the sex) about a year ago from a local breeder as a hatchling. I wasn't told of the exact age, but he couldn't have been very old, maybe a couple of months. Since then he has been kept in a tub on cypress mulch with two hides, one on the warm side and one on the cool side. The warm side was kept around 80-85 degree F with a hotspot at 90-95 degree's F. The cool side was kept no lower than 75 F. Maple always had water available and was soaked 2-3 times a week to ensure he didn't dehydrate. Humidity hung around 50%. He had UVB available via a strip light to ensure the light was distributed throughout the enclosure. In terms of food, he was offered organic spring mix and was typically offered timothy hay to graze on. I do have other tortoises, however I always make sure I wash my hands in between handling tortoises because I've seen what can happen if cross-contamination occurs.
That being said, two weeks ago he stopped eating quite like he used to. He'd nibble at his food, but never finishing it. This progressed to the point where he eventually quit eating over the past few days and his eyes had sunk in considerably. I had planned to call tomorrow to make an appointment with my very reputable exotic vet who has experience with all reptiles big and small, however tonight I went to soak him and he'd already passed. His eyes had sunken significantly by this point. Other than that, the only thing I noticed is that he hasn't pooped recently. This indicates to me that he might have been dealing with a stomach impaction, however I was hoping to get input from other tortoise keepers to try and pinpoint the issue.
If it's something that I did, I would like to know. I have other tortoises and want to ensure they have the best possible care. I have taken Maple's enclosure put it outside to freeze it and anything that might be living inside of it, and plan on bringing it inside and bleaching everything tomorrow.
Thank you in advance for any help!
Maggie