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[Kristen and cirby]

I'm worried about Cirby. The last three days I have come home from work and found her in her favorite cubby hole in her night box asleep. No stool for 3 days and she's not eating her treats. I don't have proof she ever left her house. I took her to her favorite grazing site in the yard and she
wasn't interested. It's not like her. I don't see any obvious concerns on her appearance.
Should I be concerned.

 

[Gillian M]

I'm worried about Cirby. The last three days I have come home from work and found her in her favorite cubby hole in her night box asleep. No stool for 3 days and she's not eating her treats. I don't have proof she ever left her house. I took her to her favorite grazing site in the yard and she
wasn't interested. It's not like her. I don't see any obvious concerns on her appearance.
Should I be concerned.

Very sorry to that your tort is inactive. I'm afraid I am having the same poblem with my tort, and I'm seeking help.

Good luck.

 

[ChloeCrull]

Hi, Kristen and Cirby!

Has your tortoise ever hibernated before? Even though we're approaching summertime, your tortoise may be preparing itself for a deep sleep. They usually stop eating for about a week to prepare their bodies for hibernation mode to ensure that nothing sits in their tummy and rots during their slumber.

If this does not sound like the case, I would suggest giving Cirby a warm soak. This usually wakes them up a bit and stimulates them.

Finally, I would ensure that the temperatures in the exhibit are high enough to prevent inducing too much unnecessary slumber.

If the problem continues and the concern remains, I would take little Cirby to the vet and see if anything serious is presnt.

Please keep us updated; I am very curious to see how you and Cirby manage in the next few days.

Hugs,
Chloe

 

[ZEROPILOT]

You say she isn't eating her treats. Is she eating her regular food? Drinking?
If she eats and drinks, I say be patient.

 

[Kristen and cirby]

Thank you for for your replays. Her enclosure is all grass and orchard grass so it's hard to tell how much she is eating. She is on a heat pad and I am actively looking for a good spot heater and humidafer. I spray her daily and soak her 3-4 days a week. But she don't stay in long. It's a shallow dish. I will put her a container she can't get out of next time.
Cirby doesn't hibernate.

 

[Gillian M]

Thank you for for your replays. Her enclosure is all grass and orchard grass so it's hard to tell how much she is eating. She is on a heat pad and I am actively looking for a good spot heater and humidafer. I spray her daily and soak her 3-4 days a week. But she don't stay in long. It's a shallow dish. I will put her a container she can't get out of next time.
Cirby doesn't hibernate.

I believe that something deep would be more suitable for soaks.

As for you tort not staying long enough while being soaked, please allow me to ask: does this happen when the water temperature drops? My beloved tort begins to fight trying to get out as soon as the water begins to cool down.

 

[Tom]

Where is she on a heat pad? How are you housing this tortoise? Is she outside? In a heated night box? What is the air temperature in the night box?

Putting a tortoise in a shallow dish that they can walk out of is not soaking. You need a tall sided tub that will contain the tortoise and prevent it from seeing over and climbing out. Keep the water warm.

Appetite is directly related to temperatures. I suspect your tortoise is too cold. Are we talking about the sulcata in your avatar pic?

 

[Kristen and cirby]

We usually warm her water but she has also shown us that she's not bothered by cold water.we also put a paper towel on her and keep it wet while we water her so she can absorb it.
Still not eating but two small pieces of romaine,no grazing, no poop,not eager to be up but running around more than usual when we have up. I just don't know what to think.
It's 101 in her house now but humidity is only 29%. I am totally on the hunt to find a good heater and humidifier I am having a hard time finding ones that will fit into her night box.
I am talking about the tortoise in my picture but she a few years older now.

I am also planning on digging a little tunnel for her to dig into.

 

[mikeylazer]

It could be dehydration. Even though she "does not seem bothered" in cold water I can gaurantee you she is not comfortable in it. Warm water will help her deficate, regulate body temp, and rehydrate. If you couldnt regulate body temp would you want to be in cold water and be drinking cold water too? I wouldnt. Get a tote to soak her in and leave her in it for 20-30 minutes.

 

[Tom]

We usually warm her water but she has also shown us that she's not bothered by cold water.we also put a paper towel on her and keep it wet while we water her so she can absorb it.
Still not eating but two small pieces of romaine,no grazing, no poop,not eager to be up but running around more than usual when we have up. I just don't know what to think.
It's 101 in her house now but humidity is only 29%. I am totally on the hunt to find a good heater and humidifier I am having a hard time finding ones that will fit into her night box.
I am talking about the tortoise in my picture but she a few years older now.

I am also planning on digging a little tunnel for her to dig into.

I'd really like to help but I need more info.

Does this tortoise live outside? Where?
You mentioned a night box. What size? How are you heating it? Where in the box is it 101? Is there a cooler section in the box? Does she sleep in the box every night?

You do not need a humidifier in the tortoise's house at that size. A bucket of water will suffice. I use tubs on shelves so I don't take up any floor space.

 

[Kristen and cirby]

She is outside her house is 45x44 24 high plus a peaked roof. She has a red heat pad. I'm in Sacramento this morning it was 77 and temp expected to be in the 90s today. Humidity was 35. I have a small cool whip bowl with water in it on a shelf. I am limited in space.

 

[Kristen and cirby]

I expect she will freak out when I put her in an deep box to bathe her.

 

[DawnH]

I expect she will freak out when I put her in an deep box to bathe her.

You might be surprised! I would get her a nice tote of warm water ready and toss in a jar or two of carrot babyfood (in the water.) Don't let her get chilled in in (keep that water warm!) She might scratch at the walls at first but then she might settle back (legs stretch out) and relax. Warmth "turns them on" so to speak. Gets food digested, etc. Cold is no bueno.

 

[MyrtlesMum0131]

Myrtle has done the exact same thing before, twice actually. The first time I was a very new tort owner and didn't have a clue what was going on, but upon taking her to the vet after quite a long time I found that she had worms. Have you had your tort checked out? The second time I'm pretty sure was because of boredom in a small enclosure. I wouldn't be worried about no poops in 3 days - Myrtle only poops about twice or three times a week but it's pretty sizable when she does.
Best of luck to you and your tort!