'Split' beak?

[Jelbel]

Hi guys!
my toroise is recovering from a respitory infection (doing well so far!)
but today i noticed his beak looks split on both sides, one more so than the other.
i have been feeding him leafy greens daily, but the last 2 days his eating has slowed a little. his appetite has always fluctuated so i wasnt too worried. im also trying to condition him to find the food himself as i have been putting it in front of him, so im sure this is contributing to less eating.
soon as i noticed it i put him in a bath of reptaboost (which he promptly pooped in) to get some vits into him. he hates a bath so has gone to sleep in a sulk now.
anyone seen or heard of the beak issue? he doesnt seem in pain or overly 'upset'.
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[Crazy1]

Jel, can you please post a pic so we can see what your talking about. If his beak is overgrown it may be an issue.

 

[Jelbel]

these are the clearest pics i could get....he was at the vets 3-4 weeks ago, she didnt seem to be too concerned at his beak length, and until 2 days ago he was eating with ease, and drinking too so its not posing a problem to that.....let me know what you think!
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[Yvonne G]

these are the clearest pics i could get....he was at the vets 3-4 weeks ago, she didnt seem to be too concerned at his beak length, and until 2 days ago he was eating with ease, and drinking too so its not posing a problem to that.....let me know what you think!
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Looks like you are talking about a little chunk broken out of the beak. That happens when the beak is a bit overgrown. Your vet can take a Dremel tool and smooth that out for you. It's not painful to the tortoise unless it breaks off up too far into the nerve area. If that has happened, that might be one reason he's off his feed a bit. It will be painful for a bit, but eventually will harden off and the pain will diminish.

Yvonne

 

[Jelbel]

thanks yvonne, its kinda split, but one side of the split sticks out like a millimetre further than the other which is what makes it look like a chuck is missing. it definatly looks as though the problem is over grown beak. im kinda mad at the vet for not telling me how bad it was. i know that i should know as an owner but surely a vet should point out things like that?! ill get him down for a little smoothing off.
thanks again yvonne
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[Crazy1]

yep Jel I agree, your vet should have let you know they needed trimming. Is he a reptile vet? He should have no problem smoothing that down for you. If you ask he should be able to show you how to do it as well as clipping his nails. In the future that may save $$ and time for you. Also if you feed him on slate or tile it will help him keep his beak trimmed down and rocks to climb on will keep his nails naturally trim.

 

[Jelbel]

hi robyn!
yup the lady i saw was a torty specialist. maybe she was just more concerned at his infection and thought that the claws/beak could wait. ah well. he is happier today. less climbing, and ate pretty much a whole pansy which he has never eaten before.
a good day from yesterday!
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