The puffiness is NOT permanent! I saw it shrink almost back to normal, then puff back out. So he's constipated?
Redfoot's arms and neck look puffy.
- Thread starter jockma
- Start date
Yeah I feed weeds most days, on rare days they don't get weeds they get romaine and spring greens instead.
What do you feed for protein?
When are you going to vets?
Like said it could be a kidney infection. I got a panic on a while back with one of mine, I started to feed higher fruit content to clear the system out. It sorted the problem and never ended in a visit to the vets.
Feed a high fruit content for a bit. Make him get looser. I feed higher fruit content than most anyway. Judge your feeding pattern by the poop. I finally got all my rescues poops looking normal. Firm and moist.
For protein usually boiled eggs, some worms, I've fed boiled chicken before. Only about once every 3 weeks...should I feed him more?
I'm waiting for the vet to call me back but should be in the afternoon.
I'm waiting for the vet to call me back but should be in the afternoon.
He ate a lot of papaya yesterday but I'm afraid to feed him more papaya, he seems to get lethargic after I feed it. I put him in the shower for now because he likes to poop in there.
Should I feed him high-fiber fruits or wet mushy fruits?
Should I feed him high-fiber fruits or wet mushy fruits?
Cucumber and aloe are good, moist foods.
Most fruits have fiber. When one of mine was constipated I fed plums,strawberries and grapes heavily. Melon,pears,mango and papaya will loosen him. Pumpkin and other squashes are a good one too.
Dont be scared to feed fruits. Obviously it doesn't want to be the staple diet. But they need fruit and protein too.
The vet called and said they don't have time for him. I called every other vet in the area and none of them have reptile vets in today. I fed him papaya but I'm still extremely worried. He's active and has an appetite but I really don't want to wait any longer.
Since I can't see any of the puffiness you refer to in your photos and as you said, it isn't permanent, I wouldn't be that worried about not getting into a vet right away. He is eating and active, so the situation is likely not an emergency. Tortoises are great survivors, remember.
How long has this tortoise been in your care? What was the rescue scenario like (where did he come from)? Is this your first tortoise? What treatment did he receive for his multiple RIs and how long ago did treatment stop?
I agree with Sarah. I wouldn't repeat it but just trying to help, it sounds like you are worrying a lot.
Your tort is eating,pooping,peeing and is active. These are all good signs of a healthy tort.
See how it goes over the next few days.
If it puts your mind at rest I would pre book him into a vet, keeping in mind you could always cancel the appointment.
Your tort is eating,pooping,peeing and is active. These are all good signs of a healthy tort.
See how it goes over the next few days.
If it puts your mind at rest I would pre book him into a vet, keeping in mind you could always cancel the appointment.
Someone gave him to a pet store in a plastic box lined with newspaper because they were moving (this was in another state). He had diarrhea, bad pyramiding, swollen eyes etc. and this persisted for about 2 months. His RIs were treated with antibiotics, I was a teen at the time so I wasn't an active participant in his treatments but he has not had an RI in two years. I've had him for about 3 1/2 years. We had a death in the family and traveled out of the country for a while so he was in the care of a veterinary nurse for several months. He is my first tortoise.
He's not pooping and not sure if he's peeing. 
His last poop was about 3 days ago and his last pee was about 2 or 3 days ago.
His last poop was about 3 days ago and his last pee was about 2 or 3 days ago.
I thought you said his poop was a bit solid.He's not pooping and not sure if he's peeing.
If it was me, I would bathe him everyday for 20 minute in warm water, and feed him with a higher fruit/cucumber content. See if baths make him poop. You can't get to a vet yet so you may aswell try something.
He could be holding water back. Where do you live, has your climate just taken a turn in the cooler direction.
I've only just seen this reply for some reason. I feed protein once a week. Your choices of protein are good.
Yes, it's become extremely cold suddenly. It's also become very dry, even more so than usual (I live in LA county). I'm struggling to keep the humidity in his enclosure up now even though it was effortless before. I'm still taking him outside when the temp isn't too low to get him some natural sunlight (above 60 degrees)
Change in climate can/will have an impact on there behavior even when indoors.
I think the puffiness is permanent...I saw it shrink back only once. Maybe he sucked it in somehow...I don't know. I know I shouldn't worry so much but I can't help it.
Vet appointment is on Monday. He's basking right now and sleeping.
Vet appointment is on Monday. He's basking right now and sleeping.
The puffiness is affecting his back legs, I just found out. He's not having problems walking. He can fit inside his shell. He's eating strawberries right now.
EDIT: WOAH. He's REALLY puffing himself out. There's some permanent puffiness but I just saw him push it out so it was bulging out of him while making the "I'm trying to poop" face. Then went back to eating, business as usual...I think he's trying to pass something and the fluid retention will go away once he does...
EDIT: WOAH. He's REALLY puffing himself out. There's some permanent puffiness but I just saw him push it out so it was bulging out of him while making the "I'm trying to poop" face. Then went back to eating, business as usual...I think he's trying to pass something and the fluid retention will go away once he does...
Last edited:
