Tortoise not actively eating

[Clover&Chicker]

Hello All
I am looking for some advice. We have 2 Horsefield tortoises age apprx 3.5 years - they are different sex so we have separated them into 2 separate 4 by 2 tortoise tables, so that is not issue. We have good heat to cool ratio in the table. We have had 2 previous issues of the girl not eating. Both times we have been under the care of the vet. She has been tube fed and both times improved. First we looked at environment, calcium levels and then split them - thinking male was stressing her. She has been now doing well since June, gradually putting on weight, but not lost her appetite again. She is very active and very friendly just not interested in eating. She has lost 8g since 15th Dec.

The vet has mentioned he doesn't think there is anything else he can do, but will refer me to Manchester to a specialist reptile vet. Just wondered if anyone had heard of this, been through this and could advise in the interim. I have began to tube feed again and we have continued with zolcal weekly use since June. Her bouts of 'anorexia' don't even follow a seasonal pattern, first time was Sept 2014, second time was June 2015 and now January 2016. She always does well with tube feeding and gets her appetite back - but surely there is something underlying. What could we be missing?

FYI I have read about buying Komodo dried flowers (which I have made no difference, even our well tortoise not into it). I have ordered Nutrazu but it hasn't arrived yet.

How long do you keep your UV and IR basking bulbs? I have changed it at just over 12 months - is this too infrequent?? should I do more??

 

[dmmj]

would you mind telling us what your temperature are?

 

[Lyn W]

Can you post pics of the enclosure too please, just in case its something in her environment affecting her and give a bit more info about her diet, please?
I think I have read that the uvb rays fade from about 6months (maybe sooner), I am going to buy a uv meter to keep an eye on that; they are really expensive but because our torts in the UK rely on lamps it is necessary.
Also do you have night heat such as a CHE?

 

[dmmj]

she's being tube fed is she being treated for anything right now?

 

[Clover&Chicker]

Happily - they are 90,92 and sometimes 95 under lamp (arcadia 100w uVA uVB and IR). We recently lowered it as the temp outside dropped wonder if I should put it back up a notch? With the heating on early evening it can raise to 100 (central heating ambient temp) so if we notice that we do turn them off for the evening, but they have been on 14 hours by that point anyway. Ironically it is later at night that she sits under it, it is daytime she avoids it.
The cooler end varies within the 70's at this time of year can drop but central heating again keeps it up.Overnight its about 60's and lower late 50's occasionally but I have read that is ok for overnight.
The male has same conditions, do you think this isn't right for her?

 

[Clover&Chicker]

Dear All
Please find pictures of their respective enclosures
No she is not been treated at the moment, we are waiting a referral to a specialist in Manchester - our local reptile vet doesn't think he can do more.
He thought she was too small for sampling. When we got her she was 50g, she is now 157g - so tripled in size but we keep coming back to this not eating.
I have ordered a new light it arrives tomorrow
When she is like this she does prefer to be out of the light I must admit, we keep putting her back so she absorbs the food
I have only been tube feeding twice a day, wanted to give her chance to - but I think I might up it.
I bathe her daily and she does drink - but not every bath. I ensure her bath is before her first feed of the day - which I try to make water with some zolcal then I am giving her Oxbow fine grind critical care mix

 

[Lyn W]

My tort has fads about food and will stop eating certain foods if repeatedly fed them (off lambs lettuce at the moment)
he also eats less or stops if he is a bit constipated. He won't drink in his soak either but he wees plenty so I assume he is absorbing it. Is she pooping - and urates OK?
Mine is a leopard so needs higher temps day and night so can't really comment on those for yours - your care sheet will be the best guide for you re that and humidity levels.

You are obviously doing all you can for your little one and hopefully someone with some experience of this will be able to help.
I will tag @Tom and see if he has any ideas and maybe dmmj will be back.
@ZEROPILOT has experience of tube feeding a redfoot so he may be able to help too.
Hope she gets better soon.

 

[dmmj]

it's hard for me to understand a tortoise going off food without an underlying reason sickness medication or what have you. In 30 years I've never had a tortoise or turtle not eat unless they were sick or something so it's hard for me to understand a tortoise just stop eating. especially multiple times.

 

[Pokeymeg]

Personally, I change my UV bulb every 6 months. I know everyone gives a different timeframe, but I think 12 months is too long, and 6 months is just easier to remember (I change it at Christmas, which makes it easy to remember I should change it around June/July. I agree with dmmj that tortoises don't just stop eating for no reason...just because a cause hasn't been found yet doesn't mean it isn't there! It sounds like you're doing everything you can and are dedicated, so I hope someone has answers for you :-/

 

[Tom]

What are you using for substrate?

50-60F (10-15C) overnight is generally okay for a russian, but if you are having issues, you should keep it warmer. I would shoot for no lower than 22 for a while.

How often are you soaking the tortoise?

What foods do you usually offer?

 

[Clover&Chicker]

Thanks all in with reptile specialist Monday. She's still losing weight another 1g. But she is pooing and wees every 2-3 days. Now thought wanting to sleep a lot!! More Than normal. Bathing twice a day at mo
Substrate tortoise terrain and corn varied in different parts table then some hay.
Food is kale. Rocket. Varies weeds from garden. Dark greens from beg and some lettuces. Occasionally strawberry raspberry and cress. Try to grow as many weeds as I can. Flowers where present
She must be ill but what can it be. My heart breaks for her Think I will up tube feeds
All help appreciated. Will keep her warmer. Moved her to living room too away from other table

 

[SarahChelonoidis]

If she is having bowel movements, food must be going in. Are you currently tube feeding or in the far past were you doing it twice a day (that seems like a lot)? Tube feeding is pretty stressful, I would avoid it if she is eating a little on her own. Don't offer the fruit - it's not good for their stomachs and could put her off her healthier options.

Try keeping her warmer first.

 

[Kasia]

Hi
Did you do a fecal test ?? I have a 30 year old RT and I saw him only two times not actively not eating - no. 1 hibernation time no. 2 gut parasites. No. 2 was the cause of monthly not eating or eating very little. If You did not examine Your RTs poop let that be the first thing You check.


Good luck