Re: Just bought russian tort ,need to know everything?

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Posted by Ian on December 04, 1998 at 18:14:37:

In Reply to: Re: Just bought russian tort ,need to know everything? posted by Alicia on December 04, 1998 at 10:15:38:

: Hi. I owned a tiny russian turtle ever since I was 9. This kind of tortoiseis very easy to take care of. She is very close to me, therefore I keep her extra clean. I wash her gently every weekend (careful that the soap doesn't get in her eyes.) She just crawles all around the house, and doesn't stay in the plastic box. She stays out of trouble, and when she's hungry she crawles out of her little dark corner, where she spends most of her time hybernating, and I give her green cabbage leaves to eat. The turtle I had before this one, also russian kind, ate EVERYTHING. She ate meat, flowers, bread, sour cream... I even make clothing for my tortoise. Fur jackets, or something "elegant" for an evening. I am very close to her, and now she gotten used to me and doesn't hide her head all the way insode herself. She even lets me kiss her. By the way, I'm a senior in HS.

Hi Alicia,
I just need to tell you a few things. First of all no animal should be fed only one type of food, especially since cabbage is lacking in many critical nutrients. It can also cause a real bad iodine deficiency. A mixture of greens like mustards, collards, endive, dandelions, squash, and carrots is far more healthier.
Also no turtle is in permanent hibernation, although I may have misunderstood your meaning. THere should be a heat lamp to provide heat and stimulate appetite. Kissing a turtle is very bad! Let me tell you a story.

I received a greek tortoise from a friend who had a slight respiratory infection, and had not eaten for a few months. Well I put it in a tank with a 100 watt heat lamp, and the next day it was eating 2 plates of the previous veg mix daily, also slurping water.
I said, good, it is getting better and I do not need aid of a vet. Well a few days ago there were tons of nematodes in her stool, so I took her to the vet. I turns out that she has a very bad case of salmonella, coccidia(protozoans), and the worms. THis stuff can be contagious to cats, the coccidia, and also to humans.
Now I use latex gloves until she is well.

Two lessons- a rescued animal is never free
and a seemingly flourishing animal can have serious problems.

Oh yeah sour cream and meat isn't good.
I'm also a senior in highschool:)

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Re: Just bought russian tort ,need to know everything? Alicia 12/04/98 (0)

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: : Hi. I owned a tiny russian turtle ever since I was 9. This kind of tortoiseis very easy to take care of. She is very close to me, therefore I keep her extra clean. I wash her gently every weekend (careful that the soap doesn't get in her eyes.) She just crawles all around the house, and doesn't stay in the plastic box. She stays out of trouble, and when she's hungry she crawles out of her little dark corner, where she spends most of her time hybernating, and I give her green cabbage leaves to eat. The turtle I had before this one, also russian kind, ate EVERYTHING. She ate meat, flowers, bread, sour cream... I even make clothing for my tortoise. Fur jackets, or something "elegant" for an evening. I am very close to her, and now she gotten used to me and doesn't hide her head all the way insode herself. She even lets me kiss her. By the way, I'm a senior in HS. : Hi Alicia, : I just need to tell you a few things. First of all no animal should be fed only one type of food, especially since cabbage is lacking in many critical nutrients. It can also cause a real bad iodine deficiency. A mixture of greens like mustards, collards, endive, dandelions, squash, and carrots is far more healthier. : Also no turtle is in permanent hibernation, although I may have misunderstood your meaning. THere should be a heat lamp to provide heat and stimulate appetite. Kissing a turtle is very bad! Let me tell you a story. : : I received a greek tortoise from a friend who had a slight respiratory infection, and had not eaten for a few months. Well I put it in a tank with a 100 watt heat lamp, and the next day it was eating 2 plates of the previous veg mix daily, also slurping water. : I said, good, it is getting better and I do not need aid of a vet. Well a few days ago there were tons of nematodes in her stool, so I took her to the vet. I turns out that she has a very bad case of salmonella, coccidia(protozoans), and the worms. THis stuff can be contagious to cats, the coccidia, and also to humans. : Now I use latex gloves until she is well. : Two lessons- a rescued animal is never free : and a seemingly flourishing animal can have serious problems. : Oh yeah sour cream and meat isn't good. : I'm also a senior in highschool:)

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