laura_ann07701

Hi all. I am wondering how I can tell if Hercules is dehydrated. It
appears that he hasn't 'peed' in 2 days and tonight it seems to me that
his eyes are 'sunken in' Then again, maybe I am more neurotic than I
thought. I mist his substrate twice a day and soak him for 20 minutes
every three days. I also soaked him today. He seems fine otherwise and
his tote temps are good.

Thanks in advance for your help! Laura

kathleen mcgwin

I actually sprinkle all my indoor pens every day and turn the substrate.
It's amazing how fast the substrate dries out, especially under the lamps.
Kathie

_____

From: RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
[mailto:RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of laura_ann07701
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:06 PM
To: RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
Subject: [RussianTortoise] Dehydration in a tort?

Hi all. I am wondering how I can tell if Hercules is dehydrated. It
appears that he hasn't 'peed' in 2 days and tonight it seems to me that
his eyes are 'sunken in' Then again, maybe I am more neurotic than I
thought. I mist his substrate twice a day and soak him for 20 minutes
every three days. I also soaked him today. He seems fine otherwise and
his tote temps are good.

Thanks in advance for your help! Laura

dorothy watt

Laura,

laura pfister

Hi Kathie: I haven't been turning his substrate-just misting it. I will turn it and mist it again now. Herc is sleeping in his house so he won't mind. Thank you for the idea! Laura

Kathie

_____

From: RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
[mailto:RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of laura_ann07701
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:06 PM
To: RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
Subject: [RussianTortoise] Dehydration in a tort?

Hi all. I am wondering how I can tell if Hercules is dehydrated. It
appears that he hasn't 'peed' in 2 days and tonight it seems to me that
his eyes are 'sunken in' Then again, maybe I am more neurotic than I
thought. I mist his substrate twice a day and soak him for 20 minutes
every three days. I also soaked him today. He seems fine otherwise and
his tote temps are good.

Thanks in advance for your help! Laura

laura pfister

Good evening Dot! I know what you mean about not going in the bath. Hercules will make a 'poop' during every bath but no longer 'pees' while in his tub. I, too, cannot see any big wet spots in his substrate. When he did urinate on my floor, he always made a flood!

I am going to turn over his substrate and mist it all like Kathie suggested. I am also nervous because Aaron and I are going on vacation for 6 days. My mom (who is the best) will take excellent care of everyone but as Herc is still new to us, I worry about him a great deal. Laura

dorothy watt

Well I don't know how but Gilda lived in completely dry substrate for a few years. I had no clue that it should be anything other than dry as a desert. Amazingly enough it never seemed to do her harm (lucky me!). I swear, we learn something new every day. I just hung her new lamp today. The last identical one I had clamped to the side of her home. This one is suspended from the ceiling and surprisingly enough she seems to come out more and went immediately under it seeming to like it hanging much better than clamped. It looks like the light and heat distribute better that way too. Dot
----- Original Message -----
From: Laura Pfister<mailto:laura_ann07701 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>
To: RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DO...oups (DOT) com>
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: [RussianTortoise] Dehydration in a tort?


Good evening Dot! I know what you mean about not going in the bath. Hercules will make a 'poop' during every bath but no longer 'pees' while in his tub. I, too, cannot see any big wet spots in his substrate. When he did urinate on my floor, he always made a flood!

I am going to turn over his substrate and mist it all like Kathie suggested. I am also nervous because Aaron and I are going on vacation for 6 days. My mom (who is the best) will take excellent care of everyone but as Herc is still new to us, I worry about him a great deal. Laura

I sort of worry about this myself. I find it very hard to tell when I come in from work whether Gilda has wee-weed. I don't go over and see a big darkened area that looks wet or anything. What worries me more is she used to always do something one or the other when I put her in to soak almost immediately but it has been a few months now and she just never goes while in her bath and I can't really tell in her substrate. I just have to assume she must go because she seems so well otherwise.......I don't know what else I could do. dot
----- Original Message -----
From: laura_ann07701<mailto:laura_ann07701 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com<mailto:laura_ann07701 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com>>
To: RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DO...oups (DOT) com>>
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 10:05 PM
Subject: [RussianTortoise] Dehydration in a tort?

Hi all. I am wondering how I can tell if Hercules is dehydrated. It
appears that he hasn't 'peed' in 2 days and tonight it seems to me that
his eyes are 'sunken in' Then again, maybe I am more neurotic than I
thought. I mist his substrate twice a day and soak him for 20 minutes
every three days. I also soaked him today. He seems fine otherwise and
his tote temps are good.

Thanks in advance for your help! Laura

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koufax1

Hi Laura,

You do need to actually water the substrate. I don't turn the substrate in
my hatchling enclosure, but I water it pretty thoroughly every 2 or 3 days,
and then spray it daily. Poke your finger into the substrate after a day
or two, and you'll be amazed to see how much it has dried out from the
lamps. I easily put a gallon of water into the enclosure every week.
Outside, I water the adult enclosures several times a week, and daily if
it's hot (over 90).

Sohni

Hercules will make a 'poop' during every bath but no longer 'pees' while in
his tub. I, too, cannot see any big wet spots in his substrate. When he
did urinate on my floor, he always made a flood!


suggested. I am also nervous because Aaron and I are going on vacation for
6 days. My mom (who is the best) will take excellent care of everyone but
as Herc is still new to us, I worry about him a great deal. Laura


come in from work whether Gilda has wee-weed. I don't go over and see a big
darkened area that looks wet or anything. What worries me more is she used
to always do something one or the other when I put her in to soak almost
immediately but it has been a few months now and she just never goes while
in her bath and I can't really tell in her substrate. I just have to assume
she must go because she seems so well otherwise.......I don't know what
else I could do. dot

RussianTortoise (AT) yahoogroups (DO...oups (DOT) com>

maguire1

It does dry out very quickly, and better to pour water into the enclosure and mix the substrate with your hand so you can feel how damp it is and make sure it's the right consistency.

Julie Maguire
Director, Turtle Rescue of Long Island
NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
http://www.turtlerescues.org/

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

Join our group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Turtle...ongIsland/join


* * * * / . )
* * / /
\ * * -------------- / /
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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.

maguire1

Amazing how they love seeing a new fixture in their enclosure, especially one that gives off such good heat/uvb/ :-)

Julie Maguire
Director, Turtle Rescue of Long Island
NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
http://www.turtlerescues.org/

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

Join our group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Turtle...ongIsland/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.