My girl won't eat

Raezofsunlight

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Michigan
Hello all,
I have a Russian Tortoise who won't eat out of the blue. She's never done this before. Her last proper meal of lettuce was Wednesday night and since then only eats a bite or two of pellet food. She won't eat anything else no matter what I offer. I've been soaking her 3 times a day. She's been drinking water fine. I'm having trouble finding a vet in my area that will see her. Thought I'd jump on here for advice and help. I'm just at loss and worried about my girl. I appreciate anyone willing to help.
 

Cherryshell

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Manassas Virginia
About how old is she and has there been any changes to the enclosure? Pictures of her and the enclosure may give the others an idea of what might be going on. Also the temps of the enclosure and what kind of lights/uvb you've got :)

Welcome to the forums!
 

Raezofsunlight

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Nov 24, 2019
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Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
About how old is she and has there been any changes to the enclosure? Pictures of her and the enclosure may give the others an idea of what might be going on. Also the temps of the enclosure and what kind of lights/uvb you've got :)

Welcome to the forums!
I'll post pictures but nothing has changed with her enclosure or lights.
 

Raezofsunlight

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She keeps making strange noises and opening and closing her mouth. Like smacking without actually eating anything. Only takes a couple bites of pellet food once or twice a day. She is a rescue so idk how old she is. Her poop is different than normal too but I think its from the pellet food.
 

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Raezofsunlight

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I tried getting a picture of her face. I'm worried she might be sick from the noise she was just making while eating.
 

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Jan A

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I tried getting a picture of her face. I'm worried she might be sick from the noise she was just making while eating.
Can we get a picture showing her face so we can get a look at her beak, including a profile? What is her ambient, cool & basking temps? How about humidity? Open or closed enclosure?
 

Sarah2020

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Do you cut food food up as sometimes they keep eating a leaf and do not break it off so it could be indigestion. I provide food in the morning, leave it in all day and then remove. Provide fresh water in a dish they can walk in and drink 24 X 7. SUGGESTIONS..... ensure your tortoise is warm as that aids digestion. Prepare a long shallow warm soak 35 deg C and that will encourage waste exit , exercise in the water and opportunity to drink change the water when dirty. Also Wash fresh leaves in water and provide wet to also hydrate. Try that and monitor.
 

Raezofsunlight

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Can we get a picture showing her face so we can get a look at her beak, including a profile? What is her ambient, cool & basking temps? How about humidity? Open or closed enclosure?
 

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Raezofsunlight

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Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
Do you cut food food up as sometimes they keep eating a leaf and do not break it off so it could be indigestion. I provide food in the morning, leave it in all day and then remove. Provide fresh water in a dish they can walk in and drink 24 X 7. SUGGESTIONS..... ensure your tortoise is warm as that aids digestion. Prepare a long shallow warm soak 35 deg C and that will encourage waste exit , exercise in the water and opportunity to drink change the water when dirty. Also Wash fresh leaves in water and provide wet to also hydrate. Try that and monitor.
Her heat light is 100 watt that only gives off heat and her uvb light is 26 watt. It's a open enclosure.
 

Raezofsunlight

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I hope this is a good picture. She's not cooperating
 

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Raezofsunlight

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Location (City and/or State)
Michigan
Do you cut food food up as sometimes they keep eating a leaf and do not break it off so it could be indigestion. I provide food in the morning, leave it in all day and then remove. Provide fresh water in a dish they can walk in and drink 24 X 7. SUGGESTIONS..... ensure your tortoise is warm as that aids digestion. Prepare a long shallow warm soak 35 deg C and that will encourage waste exit , exercise in the water and opportunity to drink change the water when dirty. Also Wash fresh leaves in water and provide wet to also hydrate. Try that and monitor.
I do break up big chunks of lettuce and take off stems but she's always been good at ripping up the leafy parts. I change the water constantly but I'm worried about her drinking dirty water or getting stuck when I'm at work so I take it out while I'm gone. It's just not like her not eating lettuce. I thought it was the stuff I got so I went to a different store and she still won't eat.
 

Sarah2020

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Soaking needs to be in a bowl they can not exit from. Here is a picture if my set up .
 

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Sarah2020

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Shallow warm water reaching up to the first scutes and avoid any depth for drowning. Prepare the water. Place tortoise in and leave it be . After 10 mins I move to next prepare water and normally dirty and cold. Pour waste down toilet or in garden . They have will try to climb out so must be deep and consider it a tortoise treadmill for excercise. I do this 3 times a week some do daily depends on your schedule.
 

Sarah2020

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I do break up big chunks of lettuce and take off stems but she's always been good at ripping up the leafy parts. I change the water constantly but I'm worried about her drinking dirty water or getting stuck when I'm at work so I take it out while I'm gone. It's just not like her not eating lettuce. I thought it was the stuff I got so I went to a different store and she still won't eat.
The glass dish is shallow and must be left in available all day if you think they can get stuck change to a flower pot base and add small stones near the edge to aid entry and exit.
 

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Sarah2020

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Some more pics of soaking
 

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