tadpfrog@aolcom

mattsdavidson (AT) hotmail (DOT) com writes:

cold and he didnt eat much during the winter and many days he did not
come out of his house. Needless to say, he hasnt pooped in a couple
months, at least not like he normally does, and I still don't see him
eating all that much either.

What are some signs that he might be sick? Also, I want to get a
stool sample looked at, so how do I get him to make one?


If the tortoise is small enough put him in a Rubbermaid container & take him
for a ride. A ride in the car always causes mine to go. Soak him in tepid
water, a bath often stimulates them to go.
2 months is too long to not go, if this tortoise were mine I'd see a vet now.
You could get lucky the ride to the vet's could cause something to happen &
you'd have a fresh sample right there to test.


Jan
in the West TX desert

maguire1

Hi Matt, When you say your tort stayed in his house, was that a heated house like a barn where you would feed him? If he hasn't had a normal poop in a couple of months that's a very long time and that would be a sign that he's sick and needs to see a vet. If there's no food going in you're not likely to see any coming out to get a sample. I'd say get him to a qualified tort vet for evaluation.

Julie Maguire
Director, Turtle Rescue of Long Island

http://www.turtlerescues.com/
NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

View our photos at:
http://turtlerescues.com/gallery2/main.php
http://www.picturetrail.com/maguire5700

Join our group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TurtleRescueLongIsland/join


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\ * * -------------- / /
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Behold the turtle: He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. A quote by: James B. Conant

Disclaimer: Any information given is not to be taken as medical advice and veterinary care should be obtained for any sick/injured turtle.


*Dedicated to the Memory of Theresa C. Chirico AKA tcc*

matt

Thanks everyone. I'm seeing a Vet Thursday this week. I think my
area is just not warm enough for him in general, thus he eats too
little. I soak him every 2 weeks for 20 mins, moving that up to
every week now. I got him to go a little, it just looks like grass
though, which means he's been eating the pasture grass and tall
fescue in my backyard as opposed to his greens I believe.

I think I need to make his Dogloo house warmer for him also.

Lets see what the vet says, thanks.

heated house like a barn where you would feed him? If he hasn't had
a normal poop in a couple of months that's a very long time and that
would be a sign that he's sick and needs to see a vet. If there's no
food going in you're not likely to see any coming out to get a
sample. I'd say get him to a qualified tort vet for evaluation.


out. A quote by: James B. Conant


advice and veterinary care should be obtained for any sick/injured turtle.

*Dedicated to the Memory of Theresa C. Chirico AKA tcc*

steve spitzer

Hi Matt,

Just so you know, when they eat diet of hay or grass along with
greens, the greens pretty much disappear on the way out and all you
are left with is the grass or hay fibers. The shot here has couple of
winter stools; if I took one now it would be full of grass even though
they are eating a lot of weeds along with some greens.

http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/African-Tortoise/photos/view/d74c?b=6

Steve


*Dedicated to the Memory of Theresa C. Chirico AKA tcc*

debbie adams

I'm sorry, but this is just gross.

tadpfrog@aolcom

In a message dated 5/2/2006 1:04:39 PM Central Standard Time,
dadams (AT) nicholaslane (DOT) com writes:
I'm sorry, but this is just gross.
It may be gross but in defense of Steve for posting this type of pic, I have
to say that learning to look at gross is an important part of pet care.
Feces are an important thing to pay attention to because feces can tell you
a lot about the health status of a pet.
That goes for all pets, not just tortoises.
When they aren't producing normal feces or if you don't know whether or not
they are producing normal then it's very helpful to see what normal looks like.

Just my opinion..

Jan
in the West TX desert

debbie adams

Thanks Jan,

I know it's important, but I still think it's gross, (this is coming from an
Aunt who can't change a messy diaper without getting sick)

tortbaby2000

LOL, Not at all Debbie!
Poop is a BIG topic with tort owners. Sometimes it is the major
indicator that the tort is not healthy or is having a problem. You
will see a lot of poop and urate pics on these tort lists. A picture
is the best way to explain what normal poop looks like.
Vicki

maguire1

Good pics Steve, nothing like a photo of a nice healthy looking poop. I always tell people they look like big fat cigars or torpedos. :-)


Julie Maguire
Director, Turtle Rescue of Long Island

http://www.turtlerescues.com/
NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

View our photos at:
http://turtlerescues.com/gallery2/main.php
http://www.picturetrail.com/maguire5700

Join our group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TurtleRescueLongIsland/join


* * * * / . )
* * / /
\ * * -------------- / /
""" """
Behold the turtle: He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. A quote by: James B. Conant

Disclaimer: Any information given is not to be taken as medical advice and veterinary care should be obtained for any sick/injured turtle.


*Dedicated to the Memory of Theresa C. Chirico AKA tcc*

tadpfrog@aolcom

dadams (AT) nicholaslane (DOT) com writes:


Aunt who can't change a messy diaper without getting sick)


LOL! I understand what you mean!
I didn't get over the sick feeling until I grew up & had to be the one to
deal with the messes made by my dog. Mom wasn't there to clean up for me anymore
& dogs can do some pretty darn gross things. By the time the tortoise came
along it was like hey look! Road apples! lol

Jan
in the West TX desert