Hi everyone,
I recently (4 days ago) was given a 7 year old desert tortoise by one of my coworkers who no longer could take care of him. I noticed after the second day in his new home that the he started to develop a runny nose (clear thin mucus) which progressively seems to be getting worse each day (I’ve recently seen him blow a bubble or two through his nose in the mornings). I also notice that the he hasn’t been eating as much as he did the first day I brought him home, even though the amount he did eat the first day wasn’t anywhere near as much as my coworker told me he normally ate. He’s also seems less active than the first day I got him. I’ve been offering him variety of veggies (Cactus Leafs, Mustard Greens, Bok Choy, Collard Greens, and Turnip Greens) and Mazuri Tortoise food. The first day I brought him home he ate up about 3 small Cactus Leafs as well as some weeds that he found exploring my backyard. But now he’s only interested in the Mazuri food which he eats very little of. I have been able to get him to eat a little of the Mustard Greens by putting Rose Pedals over it.
I’ve read that the stress of a new home can cause the lack of apatite and also in some cases a runny nose, but I’m very worried that he might have a respiratory infection. Should I give him a little more time to get use to his new place before I take him to the vet? Can anyone please recommend a good veterinarian with a lot of tortoise experience? By the way, I’m located in the San Gabriel Valley and I’m willing to drive far out of my area to get the best possible treatment for this little guy.
Thanks in advance for all the help and advice.
I recently (4 days ago) was given a 7 year old desert tortoise by one of my coworkers who no longer could take care of him. I noticed after the second day in his new home that the he started to develop a runny nose (clear thin mucus) which progressively seems to be getting worse each day (I’ve recently seen him blow a bubble or two through his nose in the mornings). I also notice that the he hasn’t been eating as much as he did the first day I brought him home, even though the amount he did eat the first day wasn’t anywhere near as much as my coworker told me he normally ate. He’s also seems less active than the first day I got him. I’ve been offering him variety of veggies (Cactus Leafs, Mustard Greens, Bok Choy, Collard Greens, and Turnip Greens) and Mazuri Tortoise food. The first day I brought him home he ate up about 3 small Cactus Leafs as well as some weeds that he found exploring my backyard. But now he’s only interested in the Mazuri food which he eats very little of. I have been able to get him to eat a little of the Mustard Greens by putting Rose Pedals over it.
I’ve read that the stress of a new home can cause the lack of apatite and also in some cases a runny nose, but I’m very worried that he might have a respiratory infection. Should I give him a little more time to get use to his new place before I take him to the vet? Can anyone please recommend a good veterinarian with a lot of tortoise experience? By the way, I’m located in the San Gabriel Valley and I’m willing to drive far out of my area to get the best possible treatment for this little guy.
Thanks in advance for all the help and advice.