Plastron issues in young Greek tortoise

[Marthalo]

Our baby tortoise plastron is soft and dark in color. We are first timers and worried! Please let me know best action to take. Thank you!!

 

[Maggie3fan]

Our baby tortoise plastron is soft and dark in color. We are first timers and worried! Please let me know best action to take. Thank you!!

We need pictures of that plastron, how old is the baby?

 

[Marthalo]

We need pictures of that plastron, how old is the baby?

We got him as a hatchling in early August so I suppose he's about 2mos.
For some reason I cannot attach a picture

 

[Marthalo]

I'll try tomorrow from a computer

 

[Maggie3fan]

I'll try tomorrow from a computer

Do that cuz mostly in order to diagnose the experts need to see the plastron

 

[Marthalo]

 

[Yossarian]

Dont hold it so close to the camera, it cant focus that close. and the best lighting is indirect natural light.

 

[KarenSoCal]

Does he act like he feels well? Does he eat good, walk around? Bask, soak?

 

[KarenSoCal]

It looks like it could be sepsis, or blood under the plastron. It looks like a serious problem in any case.

You should research and find an exotics vet.

We have a vet list by state if you need help to find one.
Here is the FL list. There is an exotics vet in Marathon.

Florida

Tortoise Veterinarians in Florida Listed Alphabetically by City Boca Raton Cherry Douglas, DVM Jaffe Animal Clinic 950 North Dixie Highway Boca Raton, FL 33432 Tel: (561) 395-4030 Bradenton M. A. Mossler, DVM Bayshore Animal Hospital 1511 Florida Blvd. Bradenton, FL 34207 Tel: (941)...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Marthalo]

Does he act like he feels well? Does he eat good, walk around? Bask, soak?

He is relatively active and eating although I'm not sure he has pooped in a couple of days.

 

[KarenSoCal]

I don't know what that is. Is the plastron mushy?

I'm going to tag a couple members that might be able to help.

@zovick
@GMDVM

 

[Tom]

Our baby tortoise plastron is soft and dark in color. We are first timers and worried! Please let me know best action to take. Thank you!!

Are you soaking daily?
Does the tortoise have a basking area the is near 100 degrees for 12 hours a day?
Does the tortoise have an outdoor enclosure where it spends some time?
Is the plastron pliable, or is it soft like a sponge?

 

[zovick]

He is relatively active and eating although I'm not sure he has pooped in a couple of days.

From what I can see in the picture, the plastron doesn't look bad, just translucent. All hatchlings have fairly soft plastra for a few months after they are born. Gradually it should become less and less translucent and less soft as the tortoise gets older.

I would say that as long as the tortoise is eating and acting normally, you shouldn't need to worry about it.