Re: Help for Russian Tortise

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Posted by Terry on July 07, 1999 at 21:40:30:

In Reply to: Help for Russian Tortise posted by Betty on July 07, 1999 at 19:56:01:

: Please help!! Someone just gave me a Russian tortise
: that has a soft shell. What can I do for it? The shell looks hard but when you pick it up it feels like soft. It's eyes and nose are clear and it does not have any odor. Any suggestions would be appreciated. There is not a Reptile vet in my area.

Go to the following web site to see if you can find a reptile vet in your area, or close enough to drive to:
http://www.sonic.net/melissk/society.html#societies

If it is warm enough in your area let the tortoise outside, where it will recieve natural sunlight. If this means building a pen then I recommend building a large enclosure, that recieves both sun and shade.
Never put a tortoise outside in a glass, plastic tank, or leave it outside in a SMALL confined space, as it could quickly overheat.
Natural sunlight is of course best.
If you absolutely can't offer it time outside, then make sure that it's indoor enclosure is fitted with a good quality UVB light.
A calcium supplement should also be sprinkled on it's food at each feeding, just a pinch will do, don't over do it.
Rep Cal Phosphorous Free Calcium with Vit d3, is one of the best. As it is both phosphorous free and contains vit d3, both very important.
(Don't use calcium supplements designed for human use. ) Rep Cal is available from most good pet stores.
You can also leave a cuttlebone in the enclosure for chewing on, ( please remove the hard backing on the cuttlebone), but the Rep Cal is more important than the cuttlebone.
Leaving cuttlebone in the enclosure gives the animal the choice of chewing it when it feels the need, it does not however contain VIT d3, which is very important.
The makers of Rep Cal also make a vitamin supplement Herptivite, which you can also sprinkle lightly on the food every couple of days.
As well as natural sunlight outdoors, UV lighting indoors and Rep Cal spinkled lightly on the food, a good healthy diet will go a long way to help this tortoise. Feed only healthy foods, dandelions are high in calcium, offer a variety of healthy foods recommended for this species. If allowing it to graze outdoors make sure your yard is free of fertilizer and pestisides.
Hope this helps, I'm sure more will respond with additional advise. Best of luck,
Terry.

Follow Ups:

Re: Help for Russian Tortise Betty 7/08/99 (5)
- Re: Help for Russian Tortise Tracey 06/29/00 (0)
- Re: Help for Russian Tortise Terry 7/08/99 (3)
  - Re: Help for Russian Tortise Joe 10/22/99 (0)
  - Re: Help for Russian Tortise Betty 7/09/99 (1)
    - Re: Help for Russian Tortise Terry 7/09/99 (0)

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: : : Please help!! Someone just gave me a Russian tortise : : that has a soft shell. What can I do for it? The shell looks hard but when you pick it up it feels like soft. It's eyes and nose are clear and it does not have any odor. Any suggestions would be appreciated. There is not a Reptile vet in my area. : Go to the following web site to see if you can find a reptile vet in your area, or close enough to drive to: : http://www.sonic.net/melissk/society.html#societies : If it is warm enough in your area let the tortoise outside, where it will recieve natural sunlight. If this means building a pen then I recommend building a large enclosure, that recieves both sun and shade. : Never put a tortoise outside in a glass, plastic tank, or leave it outside in a SMALL confined space, as it could quickly overheat. : Natural sunlight is of course best. : If you absolutely can't offer it time outside, then make sure that it's indoor enclosure is fitted with a good quality UVB light. : A calcium supplement should also be sprinkled on it's food at each feeding, just a pinch will do, don't over do it. : Rep Cal Phosphorous Free Calcium with Vit d3, is one of the best. As it is both phosphorous free and contains vit d3, both very important. : (Don't use calcium supplements designed for human use. ) Rep Cal is available from most good pet stores. : You can also leave a cuttlebone in the enclosure for chewing on, ( please remove the hard backing on the cuttlebone), but the Rep Cal is more important than the cuttlebone. : Leaving cuttlebone in the enclosure gives the animal the choice of chewing it when it feels the need, it does not however contain VIT d3, which is very important. : The makers of Rep Cal also make a vitamin supplement Herptivite, which you can also sprinkle lightly on the food every couple of days. : As well as natural sunlight outdoors, UV lighting indoors and Rep Cal spinkled lightly on the food, a good healthy diet will go a long way to help this tortoise. Feed only healthy foods, dandelions are high in calcium, offer a variety of healthy foods recommended for this species. If allowing it to graze outdoors make sure your yard is free of fertilizer and pestisides. : Hope this helps, I'm sure more will respond with additional advise. Best of luck, : Terry.

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