Healthy Russian tortoise?

[Tortugatron]

Hi all. Looking at taking in a new Russian tortoise. Here is a picture:



My question concerns it's shell. Does that yellow line around it look normal? Or is it indicative of some kind of ailment? At first I thought it was glue! I'm relatively familiar with Russian tortoises, but have never seen that before. From my interaction with the owner it seems they haven't taken the best care of it. It is six years old.

 

[dmmj]

From that angle it looks like it is forming a muffin top
A sign of poor husbandry,

 

[Tortugatron]

From that angle it looks like it is forming a muffin top
A sign of poor husbandry,

How sad. Can it be reversed? Is it detrimental to the torts health long term? I'm not unwilling to take one in that's in bad shape, especially if it can be helped. Just looking to know what I'm getting in to.

 

[leigti]

Do you have any other pictures? Maybe from the side?

 

[lismar79]

It can be smoothed out with time, proper hydration, proper diet

 

[Tortugatron]

Do you have any other pictures? Maybe from the side?

No, unfortunately that's the only one I have, and it was tough to get from them.

 

[dmmj]

It is usually a sign of MBD as it grows the shell can smooth out
A side pic would help .

 

[leigti]

I would take him in. If you can give him a good home that's better than what he has now.

 

[lismar79]

I thought I had read on here once that a thick yellow line was a result of too much weight gain too fast. Bad diet and little to no exercize. Do you know how he's kept?

 

[Tortugatron]

I thought I had read on here once that a thick yellow line was a result of too much weight gain too fast. Bad diet and little to no exercize. Do you know how he's kept?

I just asked for specifics, but from what I've learned so far it he has no lights (UV or heat), and he's been in a 20 gallon aquarium his while life. I just asked about diet and activity levels.

 

[lismar79]

Poor guy.... I really hope you save him

 

[Tortugatron]

Poor guy.... I really hope you save him

That's the plan. If it all works out we'll be picking him up by 10am tomorrow. Our fingers are crossed until then... Thank you all for your help!

 

[dmmj]

When you get him, give him some real sunshine

 

[teresaf]

And give us more pics! Please? Love pics.

 

[Tortugatron]

And give us more pics! Please? Love pics.

We got him! Gonna do separate post soon with pictures and updated. He's not in the best shape, but we have good hope for him.

 

[Carol S]

I am glad you rescued him.

 

[Tortugatron]

Here is the link to the updated story on his rescue. I hope I do this right:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/garrett-the-rescued-russian-tortoise.121585/