Help, I think my tortoise might be sick!!!

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tortoise-kid

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I have a red footed tortoise. On days that the weather is good I let my tortoise roam my yard supervised. After an hour I picked him up to bring him back to his habitat and when I looked at his mouth I saw this spit like liquid coming from his mouth. Also sometimes at night I can hear him sneeze.
Are these signs of sickness?

PS:
-My tortoise eats normally.
-In the yard he eats the grass but the grass has no chemicals in it.
 

jackrat

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RE: Help, I think my tortoise might me sick!!!

My redfoots sneeze and drool sometimes.As long as mine are eating and active,I don't worry .As long as it isn't profuse,I wouldn't be concerned.
 

spikethebest

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RE: Help, I think my tortoise might me sick!!!

I dont have any redfoots, but as long as it eats, poops, and looks okay, and is still active, I think things are okay. how long have you had your tort for?

and btw...

Welcome to the forum, please post pictures when you get a chance.

thanks
 

tortoise-kid

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RE: Help, I think my tortoise might me sick!!!

spikethebest said:
I dont have any redfoots, but as long as it eats, poops, and looks okay, and is still active, I think things are okay. how long have you had your tort for?

and btw...

Welcome to the forum, please post pictures when you get a chance.

thanks
I have had my tortoise for about 1 1/2 years. I got him for my 13 th birthday.
Here is a video of him eating some food:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TortoiseLover616
 

Tom

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RE: Help, I think my tortoise might me sick!!!

I don't have any Redfoots now, but I had them in the past. There should not be any drool or sneezing like what you describe.

Three possibilities:
1. Respiratory infection.
2. He ate something bad outside that you didn't see.
3. Overheating outside.

If its #1, warm his enclosure up to 85-90 round the clock and get him to a vet ASAP.
If its #2, you could try a vet. I'd soak him daily and hope it passes.
If its #3, just don't put him outside when its too hot and make sure his enclosure is mostly shade with lots of cool damp hiding areas.

Welcome to the forum.
 

dmmj

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RE: Help, I think my tortoise might me sick!!!

I have had my redfoot for 8,9 months now, and I have seen no drooling or sneezing, I am not an expert so i can't say for sure, but I have always associated drooling and sneezing with something wrong. In all honesty unless one of the redfoot experts say differently, I would sugesst a vet visit.
 

egyptiandan

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RE: Help, I think my tortoise might me sick!!!

It's always quite possible that your Redfoot ate a slug. Slugs produce a ton of slime when eaten, so a tortoise would have plenty of sticky drool coming from it's mouth.
Like everyone said, if your tortoise is active and eating, I wouldn't worry to much just keep an eye on your tortoise for any changes like not eating and sleeping all the time. :D

Danny
 

dmmj

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RE: Help, I think my tortoise might me sick!!!

I have never checked mine after he eats a slug, it is his favorite BTW.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Tortoise-Kid:

Welcome to the forum!!

(As an aside...in the video your tortoise looks like he's been kept a little on the dry side. Try spraying him from a spray bottle of water several times a day)
 

Stephanie Logan

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Wow, I love that lightning-bolt sideburn! Also cute how he stops and looks over at the camera as if to say, "Do you mind? I'm eating here!"

Welcome to the forum! (And heed all advice from emysemys--she knows everything! ;) )
 

tortoisenerd

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Hi and welcome to the forum! What are the temperatures like outside when you've been putting him out recently?
 

tortoise-kid

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tortoisenerd said:
Hi and welcome to the forum! What are the temperatures like outside when you've been putting him out recently?
Around now its about 90-100 degrees if it gets about 100 I bring him inside.
 
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