Re: tortoise not feeding, plse help

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Posted by Heather on June 19, 2000 at 13:34:07:

In Reply to: Re: tortoise not feeding, plse help posted by EJ on June 19, 2000 at 12:26:13:

I agree whole-heartedly with EJ's suggestion of utilizing natural sunlight. I think it has wonderful healing properties for sick torties.
I was housing a sick tortoise indoors due to the fact that I was afraid she was too sick to seek shade. However, I took her out into the yard for at least an hour or two each day. She perked up immediately in the sunlight. Be sure to monitor the tortoise in the sun in the event that he is too weak to pull himself out of the sun.
When mine stopped eating, I hand fed her.
Although it is by far less than ideal, I got mine to start feeding on Romaine lettuce. I tore up pieces and soaked them in water so that she could be getting additional water stores from the lettuce as well. Once she started eating the lettuce, I incorporated dandelions, and her normal grazing diet along with hibiscus and cactus.
Also provide stimulation to get him walking around and moving. If you can get his system up and moving, it will aid in the healing process.
Remember that tortoises have a very slow metabolism and therefore respond/heal slowly.
I would not hibernate him this year since his health is compromised. Even if he appears healthy by the time the fall rolls around, he might still have some underlying health issues.

Follow Ups:

Re: tortoise not feeding, plse help/ Heather , EJ Terry 06/19/00 (5)
- Re: tortoise not feeding, plse help/ Heather , EJ EJ 06/19/00 (1)
  - Re: tortoise not feeding, plse help/ Heather , EJ Terry 06/19/00 (0)
- Terry...long... Heather 06/19/00 (2)
  - Re: Terry...long... Terry 06/19/00 (1)
    - Re: Terry...long... Heather 06/19/00 (0)
Andy - here are some links... Heather 06/19/00 (0)

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: I agree whole-heartedly with EJ's suggestion of utilizing natural sunlight. I think it has wonderful healing properties for sick torties. : I was housing a sick tortoise indoors due to the fact that I was afraid she was too sick to seek shade. However, I took her out into the yard for at least an hour or two each day. She perked up immediately in the sunlight. Be sure to monitor the tortoise in the sun in the event that he is too weak to pull himself out of the sun. : When mine stopped eating, I hand fed her. : Although it is by far less than ideal, I got mine to start feeding on Romaine lettuce. I tore up pieces and soaked them in water so that she could be getting additional water stores from the lettuce as well. Once she started eating the lettuce, I incorporated dandelions, and her normal grazing diet along with hibiscus and cactus. : Also provide stimulation to get him walking around and moving. If you can get his system up and moving, it will aid in the healing process. : Remember that tortoises have a very slow metabolism and therefore respond/heal slowly. : I would not hibernate him this year since his health is compromised. Even if he appears healthy by the time the fall rolls around, he might still have some underlying health issues.

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