Losing weight

David Ablett

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Nov 6, 2015
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Hi,
I weigh my tortoises weekly, and bathe them every other day. I've noticed my 2 yr old marginated has been loosing weight, pretty quickly. On 25/09/16 she weighed in at 212g and on 30/10/16 she has dropped to 179g.

She still remains extremely active, but shows no interest in food! She was being fed homegrown weeds, but unfortunately I'm still waiting for the next trays to grow, so she has just lettuce and carrot. My youngest marginated is fine, still putting Weight on as normal. Temps are all fine - so can't see the weather would have caused it.

I'm beginning to worry now, and not sure what I can do, other than a trip to the vet. I would appreciate any help.

Many thanks ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1477898575.507591.jpgImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1477898612.303889.jpg
 

domagoj

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Maybe it's being bullied by the other tortoise. They shouldn't be housed together except if they are hatchlings. Maybe someone more experienced could tell you more.
 

JoesMum

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You posted recently that these two were housed together.

Have you taken our advice and separated them? The failure of one to thrive is a sure sign of bullying.

They each need their own spacious enclosure.

Looking at the picture of your enclosure there are a few issues that need attention:
- the substrate has white bits in which will encourage your tort to eat it and the substrate could impact in the gut. Change the substrate to coco coir or orchid bark without additives
- you appear to have compact (CFL) UVB which hurts tort eyes. This should be replaced with tube UVB or replace both it and the basking bulb with a MVB that does both jobs in one bulb.
- The basking lamp must hang vertically and have 35C/95-100F directly underneath. It is not effective at an angle as pictured.
- Food is best served on a piece of flat rock or slate which helps to keep the substrate off it and also helps with beak maintenance
- Those reptile water bowls are a tipping hazard. Replace with a terracotta plant saucer.
 

ZEROPILOT

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The advice above is great. But missing one thing. Do not feed carrots. Your tortoise can not process sugars well enough.
What you are describing sounds all too familiar...Two tortoises kept together. One is thriving, one is not.
 

David Ablett

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Nov 6, 2015
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They have been together now for 6 months or so. We separated them for a while but found they were both not eating or active. They have been fine since back together, and get on fine (no fighting etc). They each have a basking spot - which I agree I need to get a vertical holder for the lamps. I put the compact uv up there because where they bask separate, I didn't want them to be deprived of the uv. I can't fit a tube up there. The substrate has recently been changed as recommended for soil/ sand mix. They don't eat the white stones (to my surprise). Temps are all good under each basking light. I know carrot isn't great for them, but I tried it to see if she would try and eat it.

I appreciate all of the comments, but at the moment I don't think bullying is the cause. They (believe it or not) get on and give each other space. Even bask together occasionally.

I could separate them temporarily and see if she puts on weight again - I guess that would answer it! I'm just desperately trying to grow my weeds but the weather doesn't help at the moment!

And yes we were bought the water dish recently but I've just bought a more suitable/ shallower dish!
 

JoesMum

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I agree about dropping the carrot. Your tort cannot digest sugars properly - they cause digestive and kidney problems - so fruit, tomato, peppers and carrot should only be fed very sparingly and very occasionally.

If you are struggling to locate suitable greens, and it can be tricky in the winter months, then don't be afraid to supplement with a good quality pelleted food like Mazuri (not the LS version) or Komodo depending on which side of the Atlantic you are.

Rocket/Cilantro and mixed leaf bags are better than plain lettuce.
 

David Ablett

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Nov 6, 2015
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I have used Komodos compressed weed pellets every now and then to mix it up for them. And I only ever get a mixed leaf bag so there is a variety
 

TaylorTortoise

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Hi,
I weigh my tortoises weekly, and bathe them every other day. I've noticed my 2 yr old marginated has been loosing weight, pretty quickly. On 25/09/16 she weighed in at 212g and on 30/10/16 she has dropped to 179g.

She still remains extremely active, but shows no interest in food! She was being fed homegrown weeds, but unfortunately I'm still waiting for the next trays to grow, so she has just lettuce and carrot. My youngest marginated is fine, still putting Weight on as normal. Temps are all fine - so can't see the weather would have caused it.

I'm beginning to worry now, and not sure what I can do, other than a trip to the vet. I would appreciate any help.

Many thanks View attachment 190956View attachment 190958
I love this enclosure. How did you make it?
 
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