Aldabra respiratory question

AzDesert

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Hi everyone!
I have 2 aldabras (approx. 9-12mos old) from a very very reputable person. I noticed that one of them now has a slightly runny nose (not all the time) and has the occasional 'popping' sound.
Hoping this is not as complicated as a respiratory infection..... (had that with my baby sulcata about 20 years ago and after about $600 in vet bills he is happy and healthy at 20 yrs old. )
I've only had him/her for about 2 weeks. All else is normal such as eating/drinking/pooping/soaking/exercise. Any thoughts is worth gold to me, as those who have these majestic "children" understand I am literally losing sleep over this!
Thanks ya'll!
Kristi
 

Bee62

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Hi Kristi, can you please show us some pictures of your torts an their enclosure ? We also need to know the temps ( day and night ) and humidity.
I keep two little ones of these lovely aldabra tortoises too with no problems.
 

wellington

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Like with any tortoise, when a runny nose is present I recommend upping the temps day and night. 85 all over no place in the enclosure under that. Still have a basking spot though that's higher. Usually this clears it up. It might just be from the stress of moving to new place, new substrates or not warm enough temps.
Would still love to see pics of them and enclosure. We might be able to see problem areas
 

AzDesert

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HI everyone! So sorry for the delay and thank you so much for the replies! OK..... let's see. I keep the temp in the enclosure about 85-90 at all times day and night. I soak them in warm water 3 times a week. They are eating great and pooping fine. I have a humidifier in the room that I turn on during the day but not at night. Mix of Timothy Hay and Bermuda substrate w/ little bit of orchard hay blended in. Have the day lamp on for 12 hours per day (the one w/ the correct type rays- just can never remember the type but Hubby bought it and it's on)
They are in a temporary enclosure in my den until weather warms up. You would think in metro Phx, it would be GREAT right now but jeez! 50s and rainy. Feels like Oregon LOL! Its a huge heavy gauge plastic tub 3ft wide by 4ft long w/ the heaters/lights attached above.
I've raised many sulcatas over the years (7) since hatchlings and never lost one and only had one get a respiratory inf. so i'm just so nervous!!!
 

Bee62

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HI everyone! So sorry for the delay and thank you so much for the replies! OK..... let's see. I keep the temp in the enclosure about 85-90 at all times day and night. I soak them in warm water 3 times a week. They are eating great and pooping fine. I have a humidifier in the room that I turn on during the day but not at night. Mix of Timothy Hay and Bermuda substrate w/ little bit of orchard hay blended in. Have the day lamp on for 12 hours per day (the one w/ the correct type rays- just can never remember the type but Hubby bought it and it's on)
They are in a temporary enclosure in my den until weather warms up. You would think in metro Phx, it would be GREAT right now but jeez! 50s and rainy. Feels like Oregon LOL! Its a huge heavy gauge plastic tub 3ft wide by 4ft long w/ the heaters/lights attached above.
I've raised many sulcatas over the years (7) since hatchlings and never lost one and only had one get a respiratory inf. so i'm just so nervous!!!
90 degrees is a little bit too much. 85 F is good for daytimes. At night they will need a little bit lower temps too. I keep mine at 80 F at night. But that is not the problem.
Do you have hay as substrate in the enclosure ? Get rid of that hay asap. Hay will quickly mold in high humidity and build fungus. This fungus is very dangerous for the lungs of your tortoises. I don`t know if they have a runny nose because of mold but it could be possible.
 

GingerLove

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I'm no Aldabra expert, but I would try some different type of surface when they go outside. Looks like they have a lot of sand and sometimes when they are smaller (and closer to the ground) it is easy for them to inhale a lot of sand. Maybe even just got a few plots of grass?
 

AzDesert

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OK thanks everyone!! :) So, substrate in an indoor enclosure- what would you all suggest? It's just temporary for about a month until the days/nights warm up here in Phoenix and they can be outside. (nights will have a heated house until summer)
Hi Gingerlove! Yeh, it looks that way in the pic (sand) only because of the fact that the grass hasn't filled in yet for the summer and it was a gorgeous day that day and I really needed them to get out. Where they were at was actually 90% grass even though it doesn't look like it LOL!

I can send a pic of the indoor enclosure later on today when I get home. :)
 

GingerLove

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Haha! I believe you, lol I hate it when that happens. Coconut coir is cheap and good for torts if you are looking for indoor enclosure substrate!
 

Bee62

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OK thanks everyone!! :) So, substrate in an indoor enclosure- what would you all suggest? It's just temporary for about a month until the days/nights warm up here in Phoenix and they can be outside. (nights will have a heated house until summer)
Hi Gingerlove! Yeh, it looks that way in the pic (sand) only because of the fact that the grass hasn't filled in yet for the summer and it was a gorgeous day that day and I really needed them to get out. Where they were at was actually 90% grass even though it doesn't look like it LOL!

I can send a pic of the indoor enclosure later on today when I get home. :)
I don`t think that sand causes respiration problems. Sand is known to cause sometimes constipation. But mold and fungus is very dangerous for your torts. Get rid of the hay asap. The best substrate is orchid bark. It can store humidity but did not mold.
 

AzDesert

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Hi everyone!
Thank you all SO MUCH for your advice! I spent the entire day yesterday re-doing the entire enclosure. No more hay, just Orchid bark (small size) and adjusted the temps, and humidity levels. OMG they both seem SO HAPPY! No signs of respiratory issues anymore so far, but I am keeping a VERY close eye on them just in case. I can't tell you how happy they seem to be--so active and such. You can almost SEE them smiling! (which makes me happy and relieved!)
You all are awesome and I can't thank you enough for your advice!
I'm a "pro" with sulcatas but still learning the ropes with the aldabras. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
 

Bee62

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Hi everyone!
Thank you all SO MUCH for your advice! I spent the entire day yesterday re-doing the entire enclosure. No more hay, just Orchid bark (small size) and adjusted the temps, and humidity levels. OMG they both seem SO HAPPY! No signs of respiratory issues anymore so far, but I am keeping a VERY close eye on them just in case. I can't tell you how happy they seem to be--so active and such. You can almost SEE them smiling! (which makes me happy and relieved!)
You all are awesome and I can't thank you enough for your advice!
I'm a "pro" with sulcatas but still learning the ropes with the aldabras. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
My pleasure !:)
These are my little ones:
DSCN4230.JPG
 

AzDesert

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Bee62, GORGEOUS babies!!! I'll get some pics up next week of mine on the general page. Phx is finally hitting low 80s this weekend so should be perfect for the lil ones to get out and explore.
Thanks again. I love these guys like my own kids, so I was so scared for them but night/day difference in personality and health with the new enclosure.
 

AzDesert

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So I have my 3 sweethearts all settled in and doing great now! Healthy and happy! Thanks to everyone for their advice. No more respiratory concerns and they have a wonderful enclosure at night w/ 75-80% humidity, orchid bark, and heaters. Daytime they spend out in the sun(plenty of shade and water)I don't know who is happier, me or them! Thanks again for everyone's help!
 

Bee62

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So I have my 3 sweethearts all settled in and doing great now! Healthy and happy! Thanks to everyone for their advice. No more respiratory concerns and they have a wonderful enclosure at night w/ 75-80% humidity, orchid bark, and heaters. Daytime they spend out in the sun(plenty of shade and water)I don't know who is happier, me or them! Thanks again for everyone's help!
Good news ! It is wonderful to hear that your babies are doing well. Please post some pics of them. Pics are always welcome. Thanks in advance.:)
 

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