atortcan
New Member
Hello. I need some more advice tips on my baby Indian Star. I think it’s about 9-months. No idea of sex yet, but we will go with “he” for ease.
He is usually an absolute hoover for his food and a little more active. Likes to take a dip and go to chow town. He seems to like it when I put different foods is different parts of his enclosure so he can find it.
I noticed he wasn’t eating as much, but still eating. He wasn’t moving as much, but still moving. I also noticed his eyes aren’t as “bright”. I can see more of his 3rd eyelid. I would not say his eyes are puffy, but he is definitely rubbing them with his tiny legs, especially during his soak and keeping them closed more. He will open his eyes, they just don’t look the same. He also seems to be snoozing under his basking light more than usual. He started shedding some, the skin underneath looks great and he definitely went through a growth spurt.
I have made an appointment with the vet, but it’s on Monday. I am terrified of getting him through the weekend. I might be over reacting, but I read babies can turn on a dime.
His set up: He is indoors. In a 36x25 enclosure with plans to upgrade as he grows. He has a log humid hide, he uses occasionally. Shallow water dish always available and cleaned daily at a minimum (he likes to take a dip before food.) Substrate of reptile soil topped with forest mulch. Light is 100w solar sun (now 11-inches above substrate). Although the top of enclosure is covered with a screen and can be considered “open”, I have covered the back half to help me keep up the humidity and temp. Ambient room temperature where he is is 72F. Ambient room humidity where is is usually 35% (we have a whole house humidifier). I have a humidity dial in the center of the enclosure, I try to keep it between 70-80%, misting as needed. He was getting soaks every 3days.
Anyway, after noticing changes in his behavior, made a vet apt and upped my game. I changed his substrate, made it thicker. I cannot drop the light I thought I could bring the bottom up with the idea to warm him up a bit. He seemed to love that. Upped the warm soaks to daily. His soak yesterday and the day before were carrot juice. This morning was just water.
The vet also recommended sprinkling a pinch or critical care on his food to get him through the weekend.
Anyway, I did all the things. Yesterday, he looked miserable and slept under his basking light all day, but as I write this he is hoovering his dandelion greens (his favorite) with a pinch (an actual little pinch) of critical care on top. He seemed perkier and more willing to open his eyes this morning. They still aren’t bright and he went to town itching them this morning.
Anyway, vet is Monday. He seems to be doing better today. Eyes more open, eating, pissed off at his soak. Anything else I can do to help him out? Is it normal to be a little under the weather while shedding?
I grew up with a box tortoise and a dessert tortoise. They were both adults, and although they shed it never seemed effect their behavior or appetites.
He is usually an absolute hoover for his food and a little more active. Likes to take a dip and go to chow town. He seems to like it when I put different foods is different parts of his enclosure so he can find it.
I noticed he wasn’t eating as much, but still eating. He wasn’t moving as much, but still moving. I also noticed his eyes aren’t as “bright”. I can see more of his 3rd eyelid. I would not say his eyes are puffy, but he is definitely rubbing them with his tiny legs, especially during his soak and keeping them closed more. He will open his eyes, they just don’t look the same. He also seems to be snoozing under his basking light more than usual. He started shedding some, the skin underneath looks great and he definitely went through a growth spurt.
I have made an appointment with the vet, but it’s on Monday. I am terrified of getting him through the weekend. I might be over reacting, but I read babies can turn on a dime.
His set up: He is indoors. In a 36x25 enclosure with plans to upgrade as he grows. He has a log humid hide, he uses occasionally. Shallow water dish always available and cleaned daily at a minimum (he likes to take a dip before food.) Substrate of reptile soil topped with forest mulch. Light is 100w solar sun (now 11-inches above substrate). Although the top of enclosure is covered with a screen and can be considered “open”, I have covered the back half to help me keep up the humidity and temp. Ambient room temperature where he is is 72F. Ambient room humidity where is is usually 35% (we have a whole house humidifier). I have a humidity dial in the center of the enclosure, I try to keep it between 70-80%, misting as needed. He was getting soaks every 3days.
Anyway, after noticing changes in his behavior, made a vet apt and upped my game. I changed his substrate, made it thicker. I cannot drop the light I thought I could bring the bottom up with the idea to warm him up a bit. He seemed to love that. Upped the warm soaks to daily. His soak yesterday and the day before were carrot juice. This morning was just water.
The vet also recommended sprinkling a pinch or critical care on his food to get him through the weekend.
Anyway, I did all the things. Yesterday, he looked miserable and slept under his basking light all day, but as I write this he is hoovering his dandelion greens (his favorite) with a pinch (an actual little pinch) of critical care on top. He seemed perkier and more willing to open his eyes this morning. They still aren’t bright and he went to town itching them this morning.
Anyway, vet is Monday. He seems to be doing better today. Eyes more open, eating, pissed off at his soak. Anything else I can do to help him out? Is it normal to be a little under the weather while shedding?
I grew up with a box tortoise and a dessert tortoise. They were both adults, and although they shed it never seemed effect their behavior or appetites.