one yr. old dersert tortise who is sick or getting sick and i need info on diet?

Question

one yr. old desert tortise who has raised shell and light yellow coloring in skin
and now has very loose stools need info on vet or diet tips

Answer 1

call your vet and get things right

Answer 2

It sounds like you are feeding the wrong diet, that is why the stool is runny. You need to provide it with a high fibre low protein diet, grasses, weeds, dandelions, cactus pads (spines removed)... no fruits or frozen veggies (peas and beans are high is protein). They will get lump shells (pyramiding) if they receive too much protein.

Theyare very susceptable to upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), which shows the symptoms of a runny nose/wet nose. This is NOT an easy tort to care for and it is protected in many states which prohibits the capture and keeping. Please do not re-release it, since it will carry many foregin pathogens and likely the URTD and will infect other wild desert tortoises. The desert tortoise population is declining b/c of the spread of URTD from -re-released tortoises that were picked up by humans and also by roads kills. I assume you are out west, perhaps contacting the California turtle society, the biggest on the west coast. They can provide specific info and help for you in your state.

Here is a caresheet for desert tortoise from World Chelonian Trust:
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Gagassiziicare.htm

Answer 3

There a lot of organizations that can help with diet question such as Reptile Magazine, your local herp society, and also try the desert tortoise foundation. Another good question for you is are you keeping the tortoise legally? Unless you have a permit to have them it is illegal to even have one. Check with your local herp society.
Anyway, desert tortoises get their moisture from their food so go ahead and give it a lot of dark leafy greens, especially since it has diarrhea( the loss of fluids needs to be replaced). They also like to graze on grass( be sure grass is pesticide free), eat fruit and small insects. The lack of proper nutrition can cause some your problems. Temperature next to nutrition is very important to the health of the animal. Most DTs will bask in the sun for hours and when it gets too hot they go and find some shade to cool off in. So if you are truly concerned about the tortoise please go to the above sites and get educated, it will only help and you can become the resident expert with enough time. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Best advice is to see a vet but one common mistake people make when caring for desert tortoises is feeding vegetation with too much moisture in it.

Answer 5

i need that question answered too