dry tortoise shell?

[Yingg]

I would look for three days in a row at stool and urates.
1. Maybe, chalky urates are the old deposits coming out. Urates are not water-soluble, so no matter how good you hydrate your tortoise - what's already formed will stay that way. Hydration, of course, prevents stones formation and hardening of existing urates.
2. Runny stool have several reasons. One time off is not a problem. Can be a result of what she ate a week ago.

Offer more hibiscus leaves and wild mallow (if you can find it).

i have hibiscus! may i know if costco hibiscus is okay? i bought it probably a full year ago by now, or close. however when i first got it, it said "not for animal or human consumption". should i go on a walk to find another hibiscus? ^^''

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

i have hibiscus! may i know if costco hibiscus is okay? i bought it probably a full year ago by now, or close. however when i first got it, it said "not for animal or human consumption". should i go on a walk to find another hibiscus? ^^''

If you have repotted it from store bought soil after a year it could be safe to offer your tortoise. When picking leaves from your garden and, especially, neighbours gardens or public places you need to ensure that no one have sprayed the plant or area around with chemicals.

 

[Yingg]

If you have repotted it from store bought soil after a year it could be safe to offer your tortoise. When picking leaves from your garden and, especially, neighbours gardens or public places you need to ensure that no one have sprayed the plant or area around with chemicals.

do you think i should give her a soak again today? usually i do ít three times a week.

pic from yesterday

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

do you think i should give her a soak again today? usually i do ít three times a week.

pic from yesterday

Three times a week is enough, I think.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I do four times per week and that has been enough for my russian.

 

[Yingg]

thanks everyone. i will give her a small slice of cucumber and give her a soak tomorrow (so saturday). twice on the weekend.

 

[Yingg]

yesterday: no poop, healthy urates, 40min soak

today: she is eating some lettuce

 

[Yingg]

yesterday: no poop, okay urates, had some salad mix
note to self: find a way to get rid of snails

 

[Yingg]

today: gritty urates, no poop!


why isn't she pooping? no soft urates also... I hope less poop is because she is eating less, but i dont know why her urates are gritty. Maybe it's remnants?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

today: gritty urates, no poop!


why isn't she pooping? no soft urates also... I hope less poop is because she is eating less, but i dont know why her urates are gritty. Maybe it's remnants?

Yes, probably these are remnants: if she eats less that means less protein intake and less new urates.

 

[Yingg]

Yes, probably these are remnants: if she eats less that means less protein intake and less new urates.

do you know why she hasn't pooped? since over a week ago?

 

[Yingg]

she didn't poop today either , but urates are normal

 

[Yingg]

she used to poop every time i let her out for some sun. now she doesn't do that at all, and i still haven't seen a single poop ever since i changed the enclosure. (months ago) i'm confused

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

How much does she eat, daily?

If she used to poop outside, she won't do that again in the enclosure - most tortoises go only once a day.

 

[Yingg]

How much does she eat, daily?

If she used to poop outside, she won't do that again in the enclosure - most tortoises go only once a day.

she doesn't eat much daily. especially not when it's winter/early spring.

i'm worried because i haven't taken her out, since the ground is cold, the wind is cold, the soil is wet, etc etc (too cold for her). but when I have, she hasn't pooped either.

she hasn't pooped for like 10 days maybe? (estimating)

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Does she do "tortoise treadmill" (actively climbing out) when being soaked?

I guess (just guess!) that if she is being soaked, have basking area with correct temperatures and passes urates than she is not constipated. You see no poops because she doesn't eat much.

 

[Yingg]

she pooped yesterday!! only two though.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Even two is a good start

 

[COmtnLady]

It will take a while for her internal systems to get back in balance after you overfed cucumbers when she was not constipated. You threw her digestive system off. It looks like she is on her way to balance again, though.

 

[Yingg]

It will take a while for her internal systems to get back in balance after you overfed cucumbers when she was not constipated. You threw her digestive system off. It looks like she is on her way to balance again, though.

whoops.... does this mean no cucumbers at all for the time being? a few days ago i gave her some.