Sunshine's Not Eating...

SienaSunshine

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My 1 year old Russian Tortoise hasn't been eating very little if at all recently. The temperatures in her enclosure are correct and I've given her a soak as well. She seems active otherwise, but I'm worried about her eating.

I heard there are possible mouth infections that could be hindering this? I'm going to schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible, but I wanted to see if anyone on here could help me out.
 

SienaSunshine

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Here are some pictures
 

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Lyn W

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Can you post pics of her enclosure please so we can see if there's anything that may be affecting her in there?
And if you can tell us about her diet, what you are using to measure temps and what lamps are you using, how often you soak etc., that may help you get good advice.
 

TaylorTortoise

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Here are some pictures
Can we see the enclosure? This is a shame, she doesnt look good and is extremely extremely skinny. You need to give her soaks. And try and force her to eat something. If you can get a syringe from the vet and try sucking up some mushy food to get it down her throat. What is the heat, and temps like in the enclosure? Where there any changes that made you think this could have happened to Sheldon?
 

harrythetortoise

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Here are some pictures

How often do you soak your tortoise? The way her eyes are sunken in/closed in the photos tells me that she is severely dehydrated.
I recommend soaking her in warm water (higher temp than lukewarm but not hot) for 30-40 mins asap.
Make sure to change water before it gets cold.
 

SienaSunshine

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I feed her a variety of greens. Right now, she has kale with Masuri pellets and some dried flowers. But I typically try to feed her a mix of chicory, escarole, and kale. I soak her once a week in warm water for at least 30 mins. And I used 100W Repti Basking Spot Lamp and the Reptisun 10.0 UVB. I also give her a mist of water once a day.
 

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TaylorTortoise

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I feed her a variety of greens. Right now, she has kale with Masuri pellets and some dried flowers. But I typically try to feed her a mix of chicory, escarole, and kale. I soak her once a week in warm water for at least 30 mins. And I used 100W Repti Basking Spot Lamp and the Reptisun 10.0 UVB. I also give her a mist of water once a day.
The 100w light might be burning her inside out. Which could be why she looks dehydrated and her shell looking brittle. How close is the light to her basking area?
I really like the turtle in the tank! It’s super cute.
 

SienaSunshine

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The light is about a foot and a half away from her basking area.

This is breaking my heart. If you've read any of my previous posts, I found Sunshine on the trails of my nature center. I didn't intend to become a tortoise mom, but I fell in love and I just want to give her the best life possible. She was most likely abandoned and not cared for well when she was with someone. She was malnourished and vitamin deficient when I got her. I feel horrible if I've still been doing something wrong and I've done a ton of research since adopting her, but evidently not enough...

Thank you all for your help
 

TaylorTortoise

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The light is about a foot and a half away from her basking area.

This is breaking my heart. If you've read any of my previous posts, I found Sunshine on the trails of my nature center. I didn't intend to become a tortoise mom, but I fell in love and I just want to give her the best life possible. She was most likely abandoned and not cared for well when she was with someone. She was malnourished and vitamin deficient when I got her. I feel horrible if I've still been doing something wrong and I've done a ton of research since adopting her, but evidently not enough...

Thank you all for your help
You are doing a great job! I would try doing more warm soaks, and try using sprinkle vitamin D and spray the lettuce for extra hydration. You can even spray her. Try switching up the substrAte sometimes depending on what you use can irritate the eyes. Causing the tortoise to rub but that usually makes them look puffy or the scales start to come off. She definitely looks dehydrated keep an eye on her to see how much she drinks.
 

TaylorTortoise

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You are doing a great job! I would try doing more warm soaks, and try using sprinkle vitamin D and spray the lettuce for extra hydration. You can even spray her. Try switching up the substrAte sometimes depending on what you use can irritate the eyes. Causing the tortoise to rub but that usually makes them look puffy or the scales start to come off. She definitely looks dehydrated keep an eye on her to see how much she drinks.
Also try mushing up wet mazuri in her lettuce to help her gain some weight. If she feels like a rock this is a good sign, while if she feels empty and light then you should worry.
 

SienaSunshine

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The biggest problem is that she won't eat. I've tried putting mushed up Mazuri in front of her and giving her greens but she won't even touch it. I just plopped her in a bath like @harrythetortoise said. I give her plenty of water, but she started gulping it down like I hadn't *just* soaked her this morning!
 

ZenHerper

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OK gang. Vitamin and mineral supplements have to be regarded with extreme respect and care.

Overdosing causes very serious (and sometimes deadly) side effects.

Vitamin C overdose can absolutely cause digestive upset, loss of appetite, and dehydration:

Calcium overdose:

Vitamin D overdose:

Giving too much of any one of these supplements can cause serious illness and even death. Overdosing two or more compounds the damage.


Animals fed varied natural diets need very little, if any, supplementation. Supplements can never be relied upon to replace adequate nutrition, hydration, environmental conditions, and exercise.

OP: please stop all supplements and concentrate on re-hydrating to help flush out the kidneys and digestive organs. Three warm water soaks daily, clean fresh water in the enclosure all day in a shallow plate.

Read through the Russian care sheets in the sub-forum and correct any issues in the enclosure (too dry, incorrect/outdated lighting and heat fixtures, not enough hiding places, etc.).

Ask, ask, ask.

If there is a veterinary who is fully familiar with Tortoise (NOT turtle) physiology and medicine, do schedule an appointment and get some in-person assistance.

Thanks for joining the forum! It is evident that you care for your wee on a lot.
 

harrythetortoise

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The biggest problem is that she won't eat. I've tried putting mushed up Mazuri in front of her and giving her greens but she won't even touch it. I just plopped her in a bath like @harrythetortoise said. I give her plenty of water, but she started gulping it down like I hadn't *just* soaked her this morning!
It’s good that she’s drinking! One reason tortoises will not eat is when the temperature is to low. What are the temperatures in her enclosure? (Warm side, cooler side, basking temp)
 

TaylorTortoise

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The biggest problem is that she won't eat. I've tried putting mushed up Mazuri in front of her and giving her greens but she won't even touch it. I just plopped her in a bath like @harrythetortoise said. I give her plenty of water, but she started gulping it down like I hadn't *just* soaked her this morning!
When did she start gulping it down? Lets monitor her and I would make sure she has a heating bulb on at night to maintain ambience heat. It seems like you are doing a good job, it could be possible from when you found her she slowly started to develop something, or from the stress of her conditions and environment before you rescued her could have caused these issues.
 

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