Questions about adopting a horsefield - Urgent

Lucy1979

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Hi i’m the proud moma of 2 Horsefield torts who are 7 and 12 and a Hermann tort who is 5. I have a lot of experience with torts however i have never dealt with rescue or mistreated torts.

later this week i will be adopting a 1 and a half year old Horsefield Tortoise who has obviously been very mistreated. I know how to care for these torts however i want to know any tips and tricks for mistreated torts to help give them the live they deserve as quick and effectively as possible.

after chatting with the seller i found out that he has been living in a 2ft by 2ft open topped enclosure with a “2 in one” bulb that apparently has UV and heat. They keep this bulb on for 5 hours a day and didn’t know what a basking temperature or basking spot was so i doubt very much that he’s getting the warmth he needs. He has been getting fed on a diet of iceberg lettuce with calcium powder dusted on top of every meal. They have also said that he has not been bathed in around 3 months as “in the desert there is no water”

i’m really shocked at how badly someone can care for a tort. I can’t wait to get him into a nice home. I’m getting everything ready for him to come. I’ve still got my closed topped enclosure from the past torts however i’m worrying that he will not cope well jumping straight into the deep end especially when it comes to food and humidity.

should i ease him into the correct care or jump straight in with the correct humidity, food, heat and soaking. Should i be doing anything more or less to ensure the transition is easy for him? Obviously when he gets here he’s getting straight into a nice warm soak then i’ll leave him in the enclosure with some food so he gets the chance to have a walk round and explore. Basically i just dont want it to be too much of a shock for him and want to get him healthy again!

i have also attached photos which the seller has sent me. I have never seen the black raised bits of torts shells spread like this. Is this normal or does it show signs of growth problems? i am very grateful for any and all help i can get
 

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Last edited:

Sarah2020

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Think it is nice to rescue it. A nice long soak to start with to hydrate and a better food diet and well set up enclosure can only be better than what he has been getting! May take time to eat different food but you can judge that when the time comes if really hard then add some baby food carrot mix to the water to get hydrated and eat something. Enjoy your new charge. I let the experts comment on the shell but I suspect it has grown and lack of nutritious food and quality heat and light has caused the black shell to not expand.
 

Tom

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I'd soak it daily for a few weeks, and just get it eating the right foods and kept at the right temps ASAP.

Here is the most current and correct care info:
 

Violanna

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Coming from a Veterinary standpoint I’d say switch to a more nutritious leafy green but maybe not jump straight into the other food right away. Ease into them for digestive reasons. Other than that I say take the leap!
 

Lucy1979

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I'd soak it daily for a few weeks, and just get it eating the right foods and kept at the right temps ASAP.

Here is the most current and correct care info:

thank you. I’ve asked the seller to soak him whilst i wait but picking him up on Saturday. So excited to give him a better home. I’ll update when he’s here and settled in as I’m guessing i’ll have a few bumps and troubles but hopefully nothing that is too worrying. Any ideas on the shell though as i’ve heard that you’re the person to go to for wisdom
 

Lucy1979

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Coming from a Veterinary standpoint I’d say switch to a more nutritious leafy green but maybe not jump straight into the other food right away. Ease into them for digestive reasons. Other than that I say take the leap!

that is my biggest worry tbf. I’ll keep him on a basic diet for a week or so then slowly introduce him to other things and see what he likes and what he doesn’t. I’ve heard before that once a tort is used to eating the same thing every day it’s difficult to get them to try other foods. I know that with my other torts if they aren’t eating they will still happily eat a piece of food that is hand fed to them then go and eat the food in the usual spot so haven’t really ever had problems with torts not eating before.
 

Crush da Baum

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I am so glad he is getting the care he deserves. The shell is in surprisingly good condition for the environment that you described. That raising of the scutes is called pyramiding and is caused by the lack of humidity in an open top enclosure. I would definitely start giving him the right environment (housing, Uvb, humidity, etc) immediately and in my opinion, I would start giving them the best foods immediately too. I would doubt that there would be much of an issue acclimating to a different diet like that. The worse case scenario is diarrhea for a couple of days so I say give him the good weeds and greens right when you get him.
 

Lucy1979

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I am so glad he is getting the care he deserves. The shell is in surprisingly good condition for the environment that you described. That raising of the scutes is called pyramiding and is caused by the lack of humidity in an open top enclosure. I would definitely start giving him the right environment (housing, Uvb, humidity, etc) immediately and in my opinion, I would start giving them the best foods immediately too. I would doubt that there would be much of an issue acclimating to a different diet like that. The worse case scenario is diarrhea for a couple of days so I say give him the good weeds and greens right when you get him.

Is there anything i should look out for when i first get him or in the first few weeks. I’ve got a vets appointment booked for him but the earliest appointment is in 2 weeks! However they have said if there is any emergencies to bring him down straight away. I will be keeping an eye on his poo and wee which sounds very strange but i feel like thats the best way to tell if theres any problems going on beneath the surface. Thank you
 

Crush da Baum

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Is there anything i should look out for when i first get him or in the first few weeks. I’ve got a vets appointment booked for him but the earliest appointment is in 2 weeks! However they have said if there is any emergencies to bring him down straight away. I will be keeping an eye on his poo and wee which sounds very strange but i feel like thats the best way to tell if theres any problems going on beneath the surface. Thank you
In general, just make sure he is eating, drinking, and active.
 

Pastel Tortie

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It's a good idea to quarantine new arrivals for at least a few months. That helps to protect both your existing tortoises as well as the new one. You don't want one transmitting something you don't know about to the other(s).
 

AgataP

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It's a good idea to quarantine new arrivals for at least a few months. That helps to protect both your existing tortoises as well as the new one. You don't want one transmitting something you don't know about to the other(s).

Was about to type the quarantine part ?
 

Lucy1979

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It's a good idea to quarantine new arrivals for at least a few months. That helps to protect both your existing tortoises as well as the new one. You don't want one transmitting something you don't know about to the other(s).

will do always wash my hands and everything before touching another tort because you never know. And like to keep my torts separate because i would hatefor them to fight or something whilst i’m not looking
 
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