Yellow Foot, sick-advice?

[Duran]

My dad purchased this "Red Foot" for me (that's what they told him). The little guy seems alright, alert and drank lots of water during his warm soak. I will take him to the vet ASAP but had a few concerns.

1. He feels light, not heavy
2. He has a runny nose
3. He pooped some cream colored mucus
4. His eyes were a little runny


What can I do to de stress him? Encourage him to eat?

All I know is he is farm raised and imported from South America.


This forum was a huge help when I got my Russian. He by the way is in great health and doing great!


I will read through the care sheets but he has me worried!


Thanks!

 

[Heather H]

Hi, first keep him away from your Russian. Wash hands well before and after tending to each. Someone will come to answer questions. Make sure his temps and humidity are where they should be
@tortadise

 

[Jacqui]

The creamy stuff is poop or urine? Might want to do a stool check for worms, if poop, but could also be from what he was fed. He is underweight, so how well is he eating for you?
Runny nose and eyes may be from lack of humidity and/or respiratory issues. What temps and humidity do you have him at?

 

[Duran]

I've only had him two hours. I am for sure keeping him far away from my Russian and very washing hands to the point of dryness!

My Russian was so easy and healthy.

This was a gift from my Pops who had stage four cancer of the liver, lungs, and bones. This Red Foot means more to me than anyone can imagine. Just feeling a little stressed!

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Duran]

Has*

 

[crimson_lotus]

I can't really 100% tell but I do think this is a red and not a yellow, could be wrong. Their eyes water a lot if they are in a low humidity environment, but like Jacqui said it could be an RI as well with some other symptoms. If you've only had him or her for 2 hours they could very well just be stressed and need to acclimate to their new environment. Give them some time and they will eat

That's some weird poop, I would get a stool sample, definitely.

 

[Duran]

Thanks! My house gets very dry. I always have to spray down my Russians enclosure. Does anyone use a humidifier for Red Foots?

Also, here is a pic of my Russian. The Tortoise Forum was a huge help in getting him set up! I love the app and stay up late reading and reading! Thanks TF!

-Heading to Home Depot for a huge tub and the pet store for a Mercury Vapor Bulb!-

 

[Jacqui]

I just boil water on the stove. Having aquariums are nice for adding humidity too. I misses saying you only had him two hours, so yes stress can be a big factor.

If that is urine, not poop, then he has a lot of urates on it, so lots of soaking to hydrate him.

 

[Jacqui]

Just try to relax. Take some deep breathes. He looks actually very good in those pictures, so my guess is just minor environmental changes will be all that is needed. Sorry about your Pops. It is a hard thing for both of you to be dealing with. *hugs*

 

[naturalman91]

i think your dad was right about it being a redfoot sure looks like a red, i'm sorry your going through all that i'm going through a similar thing with my dad but it's only of the liver

what humidity and stuff like that are you going to keep it at watery eye's can sometimes tell us that the humidity is to low

 

[tortdad]

It's a Redfoot. The light weight, runny eyes and thick pee point to him being dehydrated. Warm soaks twice a day for a while. The runny nose... Clear?? If so that's a common sign of stress and I wouldn't do anything about it. I wouldn't use an open top tub. Get a storage container so you can make a closed chamber. The sooner you can get it set up the better. Get it set up and leave it be to reduce the stress. It's just going to take a while. If the runny nose and eye discharge is not clear hen you have an issue that needs a vet. Good luck with your Redfoot

 

[Heather H]

I've only had him two hours. I am for sure keeping him far away from my Russian and very washing hands to the point of dryness!

My Russian was so easy and healthy.

This was a gift from my Pops who had stage four cancer of the liver, lungs, and bones. This Red Foot means more to me than anyone can imagine. Just feeling a little stressed!

Thank you all in advance.

Hi good luck. I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I know this is bringing stress on you all.

 

[stojanovski92113]

How's your tort doing?

 

[Duran]

Mini Update:

My new guy seems to be doing better today. His eyes have stopped watering and I haven't seen any more clear liquid come outta his nose.

Yesterday afternoon/night he ate nothing but drank water the two times I soaked him.

Today I tried rubbing some carrot purée on his greens but he only took two bites. I read that sometimes they are more inclined to eat Mazuri pellets at first. So I went back to the pet store and purchased a bag.

I soaked a few pellets in warm water and placed them on top of the greens. He immediately walked over and ate about half the pellets.

I'll try soaking him again later then offer "more" food (he has some at all times).

His basking area is at 90 and humidity is running around 50-60. His substrate consists of coconut coir with some sphagnum moss. I keep misting to keep it up and his soil is moist. Tips for maintaining humidity levels?

Any tips for getting him to eat? I don't want to keep offering him Mazuri.

He has an appointment with an awesome exotic vet on Tuesday!

I'm glad he seems better and he will see a specialist on Tuesday. My dad asked me how he was doing, I didn't have the heart to tell him the tortoise was sickly.

No name yet, I would like to figure out the sex. He/she is a little over four inches, too young to sex?



THANK YOU ALL for the advice, well wishes, and community you've offered!

 

[newCH]

Glad to hear your tort is doing better. He is nice looking. Sorry about your Pops.

 

[crimson_lotus]

What is your enclosure like? If it's an open tortoise table, I would recommend either partially or fully covering the top to retain more humidity. Your basking area sounds fine, but what is the temperature of the cooler side? Never let is drop below 80!

My tortoises favorite foods, just to give you some ideas: Mango, figs, arugula, mushrooms, boiled shrimp/chicken, radish/beet tops, dandelion greens, butternut squash, brusselsprouts.

You could also try different flowers as well, a lot of them seem to like hibiscus.

They should not eat fruit or protein every day, though. I feed my tortoise fruit every 5 days and protein every month. Some people feed protein every 2 weeks, which is fine too.

 

[crimson_lotus]

I think this guy is too young to sex but I'm not 100% sure on that.

 

[tortdad]

Way too young to sex, maybe we can guess when it's 6". If you cover the entire top making a closed chamber maintains humidity is a as easy as pie.

 

[Duran]

His enclosure is open, big tub-not pretty but working... A little less than 4 feet by 2 feet. My dad is helping me build a tortoise table next weekend And once it is warmer and he is healthy I will move him outside.

What can I do to keep temps up at night? I've seen heat lamps but haven't experimented with them.

I can buy one tomorrow, any recommendations?

Thank you in an advance

 

[crimson_lotus]

Any ceramic heat emitter should do. It emits only heat and no light.

I use this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F9CV7K/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20