need help , tortoise stopped eating and move on hind legs

[enchilada]

My 4 years old radiata stopped eating since last night and start acting weird .
It moves on his hind legs only , and constantly stands up like when you spray water on him .
Living condition was the same for years and the other radiata with him was totally fine .

 

[KarenSoCal]

Could he be constipated? Have you seen him poop recently? Turn him over and look to see if there is anything stuck. In any case, maybe give him a really long soak in warm water.

 

[Yvonne G]

I agree. Put him in your bath tub with water that comes up to the middle of his shell on the sides, and let him get bored of being in there. Scrambling around in there, trying to get out, helps get things moving.

 

[Pearly]

Agree with Karen and Yvonne. Glad you were able to post video clips (something I have yet to figure out myself) it is so much better when you can actually SEE for yourself what the issue is. One of my RFs started doing similar “butt dance” within the past few months. She is little over 3 yrs old and I think reaching puberty or something judging by her external physical features (how fat her tail has become). When you have your tort in water, try to look at his tail and see if it’s “sweeping” side to side over the floor. My Shellie often does that when she is trying to poop and pee. Not eating is a concern tho, but I thing if you get really aggressive with nice warm soaking (and put more water in there, like Yvonne said - but stay with him make sure he doesn’t drown) I think he needs a good poo and all will be well

 

[Tom]

Is this a male? If it does it again, try to look underneath it and see if anything is sticking out of the tail.

Do the two of them live together?

 

[enchilada]

Is this a male? If it does it again, try to look underneath it and see if anything is sticking out of the tail.

Do the two of them live together?

Yeah those 2 radiata live together.
But isn’t 4 yrs old too young to tell ?
I tried various food last night , the only thing it has appetite was aquatic turtle food

Still the same this morning. I’m starting soak him

 

[KarenSoCal]

Have you soaked him yet? I understand where @Tom is coming from, but either way, a good long soak is in order, just like Yvonne described. If he is constipated, that explains not wanting to eat...he has a bellyache.

 

[Sterant]

That is a bit odd. Sometimes they will wiggle back and forth as though they are scratching their plastron, and males can make strange movements when they are flashing (where @Tom was going), but that looks different than that. Soak as suggested - constipation is certainly a possibility. Have you tested for parasites recently?

 

[Pearly]

Yeah those 2 radiata live together.
But isn’t 4 yrs old too young to tell ?
I tried various food last night , the only thing it has appetite was aquatic turtle food

Still the same this morning. I’m starting soak him

Do you see him WALK? How is his gait? If his getting from point A to point B looks like his normal walking pattern then it’s something about his tail/or butt

 

[enchilada]

Soaked 2 hours . Nothing came out

 

[enchilada]

This is how he moves . Not using front legs

 

[KarenSoCal]

I'm sure you have done this, but I'll ask anyway.
Have you carefully examined his plastron, arms, soft skin of neck, everything you can see?
No spots, punctures, sticks, stones?
If you gently pull a front leg, does he resist?

 

[enchilada]

I'm sure you have done this, but I'll ask anyway.
Have you carefully examined his plastron, arms, soft skin of neck, everything you can see?
No spots, punctures, sticks, stones?
If you gently pull a front leg, does he resist?

Nothing . Yes I can feel the resist when i pull the front legs .

 

[enchilada]

Update, it seems the front legs are a lot weaker than the other normal radiata’s legs

Btw he ate one Mazuri last night

 

[Yvonne G]

Might be lack of calcium to make his bones and muscles strong. Is he getting the UVB to make his calcium work?

 

[KarenSoCal]

Unfortunately, there could be more than one problem going on. I would continue the soaks 2 times daily. Only one maybe just didn't get the job done.

 

[enchilada]

Might be lack of calcium to make his bones and muscles strong. Is he getting the UVB to make his calcium work?

They spend the day outside everyday .
Maybe he got bit by something venomous or heat stroke that impaired the front leg function ?

 

[mark1]

does he fully and normally extend his head/neck ? myself personally i'd get a vet involved , an x-ray may be helpful …… could be neurological , caused by a virus , bacteria , injury , or dietary deficiency …….. may be something a steroid would help ……...

 

[enchilada]

does he fully and normally extend his head/neck ? myself personally i'd get a vet involved , an x-ray may be helpful …… could be neurological , caused by a virus , bacteria , injury , or dietary deficiency …….. may be something a steroid would help ……...

Neck dose not extend fully . He seems having trouble reaching out neck to get food . I have to put food right under his mouth .

 

[mark1]

possibly could be a neck injury ……….