Please advise on shell repair

[TortyLuv]

Hey everyone,

We adopted a couple of fairly large Sulcatas the other day. One of them has a good size divot in the shell. Looks to be an older healed injury. What would you guys do to address it? Best pic I have right now....

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

Keep it clean and monitor for some sort of secondary issue. Otherwise no problem. That's my whole reply.

 

[Tom]

That looks like a long term injury from over head heat sources.

And what Will said...

 

[TortyLuv]

Thanks guys. Forgive the ignorance here. I've taken care of Sulcatas but no injuries.

- What are signs of secondary issues?
- Will that hole regenerate or always be a hole?
- Should I simply brush fungus off as it appears and try to keep the hole dry?
- Should I (when) be applying Scarlett oil?
- Put me on the right path and I'll make sure it gets done.

 

[TammyJ]

You've got them in separate enclosures, right?

 

[TortyLuv]

You've got them in separate enclosures, right?

No. 2 males. Was told they were raised together and never been a problem.

 

[TammyJ]

No. 2 males. Was told they were raised together and never been a problem.

Now is the time to make each one a lot safer and more contented, by separating them. Hope you have enough space to do it!

 

[TortyLuv]

Now is the time to make each one a lot safer and more contented, by separating them. Hope you have enough space to do it!

2.5 acres. Currently they're in a 32ftx32ft pen. Was going to double its size this weekend, then expand over time ($$$). Could it be possible splitting 2 tortoises that have been together many years could have an adverse impact on them?

 

[TechnoCheese]

2.5 acres. Currently they're in a 32ftx32ft pen. Was going to double its size this weekend, then expand over time ($$$). Could it be possible splitting 2 tortoises that have been together many years could have an adverse impact on them?

It might take them a little while to get used to the change, but tortoises, especially sulcatas, are solitary and highly territorial. Even if they have not outright injured each other yet, being together has likely been very stressful and it's a disaster waiting to happen. Definitely best to split them up, because they can, and eventually most likely will, kill each other if kept together.

 

[Tom]

2.5 acres. Currently they're in a 32ftx32ft pen. Was going to double its size this weekend, then expand over time ($$$). Could it be possible splitting 2 tortoises that have been together many years could have an adverse impact on them?

They should never have been together as a pair. Groups of juveniles can usually work, but not pairs. They need to be separated ASAP. Here is a way to make a single night box for both:

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

32x32 is pretty small for large sulcatas. Go bigger if you can, but be sure to use something opaque. If they can see through the fencing, they are likely to damage their legs and snout rubbing on it.

Thanks guys. Forgive the ignorance here. I've taken care of Sulcatas but no injuries.

- What are signs of secondary issues?
- Will that hole regenerate or always be a hole?
- Should I simply brush fungus off as it appears and try to keep the hole dry?
- Should I (when) be applying Scarlett oil?
- Put me on the right path and I'll make sure it gets done.

- What are signs of secondary issues?
Pus, blood, infection, smell, maggots, etc...
- Will that hole regenerate or always be a hole?
No way to know. It may heal over time and become less noticeable.
- Should I simply brush funguses off as it appears and try to keep the hole dry?
Fungus? Does the area grow fungus? If yes, it needs treatment.
- Should I (when) be applying Scarlett oil?
Don't know what scarlet oil is. If its fungus, then athlete's foot cream is best to treat it. If it is bacterial, then Vetricyn will be best.
- Put me on the right path and I'll make sure it gets done.
If its not growing fungus or bacteria, I'd leave it alone.

 

[sandwill]

Try to keep them separately