Hi there, about a month ago i thought i saw some slight pink on my torts plastron i have been checking often but i came home from work today to find the pink has spread over the entire base its still very light and mostly focused down the seem from top to bottom of the plastron. I've seen posts about torts getting septicaemia but i dont know how mine would've got it. Is there anything else this could be?
My torts plastron is turning pinkish
- Thread starter Lewis516
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It is pretty normal to see pinkish or reddish hues in that area during times of growth. Has your tortoise been eating well lately? If the appetite is good, activity level normal, and temperatures verified, your tortoise is probably just growing.
The temps are all good, appetite and hydration is good but I've noticed my tort's pretty lazy compared to how he used to be but when i sit down next to his enclosure he perks up and runs around for as long as im there but once i leave again give it 15 minutes and he either burries himself or hides away. Are there any reasons for this or just simply wants the company?
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When you sit next to his enclosure, what does he do when he runs around? Does he just ignore you and walk, or does he look at you and challenge you? Maybe butt the enclosure?
He may like your company, but more likely he's trying to drive you away from his territory. When he's successful (you get up and leave), he relaxes and goes back to what he was doing earlier, which is probably nothing.
He may like your company, but more likely he's trying to drive you away from his territory. When he's successful (you get up and leave), he relaxes and goes back to what he was doing earlier, which is probably nothing.
In addition to what Karen sad, it is fall and all the temperate species know its time to brumate.
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If im moving any rocks or his log around he'll come over and smell my hand maybe let me give him a scratch. He doesnt butt at me or the enclosure he always seems quite relaxed. He is still growing so the pink could be that ive just never seen it before is it anything major to be concerned about?
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Is he a Russian/Horsfield tortoise? I'm not sure only seeing his plastron.
Tom mentioned about verified temps...have you actually measured the temps in his enclosure? Basking spot, cool side, warm side, and overnight low? It would be helpful if you would do that. Get a digital thermometer with a probe, and also a digital temp gun. The temp gun makes it so easy to quickly check temps.
Are you aware of any time recently that he got really cold? Out in the rain maybe?
The purpose for these questions is to help determine if he could have an RI. If he was sick, he could develop septicemia, but I think most likely the pink is increased blood flow to areas that are actively growing. That's why the pink seems to follow growth lines.
If he becomes really lethargic, stops eating, and the pink spreads throughout the plastron, then take him to a reptile vet ASAP.
Tom mentioned about verified temps...have you actually measured the temps in his enclosure? Basking spot, cool side, warm side, and overnight low? It would be helpful if you would do that. Get a digital thermometer with a probe, and also a digital temp gun. The temp gun makes it so easy to quickly check temps.
Are you aware of any time recently that he got really cold? Out in the rain maybe?
The purpose for these questions is to help determine if he could have an RI. If he was sick, he could develop septicemia, but I think most likely the pink is increased blood flow to areas that are actively growing. That's why the pink seems to follow growth lines.
If he becomes really lethargic, stops eating, and the pink spreads throughout the plastron, then take him to a reptile vet ASAP.
Hes a hermanns tort, he'll eat all he wants sometimes the over night temp can drop to 15°c but it hasn't hit that low so far this year. He was ill i think maybe 4 months ago now although he has not showed any illness since then. He has been lazy for the last year compared to how he was the year before, he still moves just as fast but doesnt move too often only to eat and drink then bask or cool off.
I have just got home and checked on him to find that a lot of the pink has almost completely faded over night. This is all very confusing ?
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Welcome to the world of tort keeping! ?
It certainly seems that he is not sick, as I've never heard of septicemia just vanishing. I believe it's blood flow to grow.
Make sure you are maintaining the proper temps for him, and just keep a close eye on him as you are already doing. If anything pops up that concerns you, we're right here "across the pond".
Thanks for the help
