Does protein in a Russian Tortoise's diet cause diarrhea?

Question

My Russian Tortoise had diarrhea today and I was wondering what caused it. She has a well-varied diet, including lots of greens. On occasion, she gets a small bit of fruit, and every once in a while, she receives a bit of baby food meat.

I gave her a little bit of chicken baby food the other day for the first time in a couple of months, then continued with greens the next couple of days. Last night she had a very loose stool, and today she had diarrhea. Could the long absence of meat caused her to have a diuretic reaction to the meat once she had it again in her diet?

She's been wormed, and by the vet's suggestion when I first got her, small servings of fruit and protein ARE needed, just as any animal must eat some sort of protein to survive.

According to any vet I've talked to, the thing about fruit and meat being fatal to tortoises is just a myth. They're fine (and very nutritious) if given very sparingly.

Answer 1

Greens can cause diarrhea especially cabage, give him more fruit and meat. Greens are okay in moderation, but use them sparringly, focus on fruit and meat.

Answer 2

Russians have an interesting diet. They need lots of dry, fiberous foods like Timothy hay, grass, yard plants, flowers, etc. You can feed it things like Hibiscus, dandelions, etc. in captivity.

Their next major need is greens- dark, leafy greens. Endive and escarole lettuce and dandelion and turnip greens are good. Avoid light head lettuces (Iceberg), spinach, and cabbages (bok choy, kale, etc.)

A little colorful veggies are OK- carrots, squash, etc., but not too much of this.

Fruits are a problem for most of the Mediterranian tortoises- it gives them diarrhea because of the high sugar and moisture content. it is included on most diet lists, but the expert keepers do not recommend it. Some allow a little chopped apple, but not much other than that.

Meats are another problem. After much research, most keepers have discovered that their Mediterranians don't need much, if any, meat. Studies seem to show that they rarely if ever really eat meat in the wild.

Your vet is working off 'old knowledge'. A LOT of old diet lists, including those in veterinary manuals, list fruits and meats still. Here are a couple sites listing newer research:

http://www.russiantortoise.org/russiantortoisediet.htm
http://www.tortoisetrust.com.uk

Answer 3

Hey, I have a Russian Tort. and they should only have greens and veg all types no iceburg lett. or cabbages. No Meat No Fruits these things aren't things they should have. They are strickly veg. their bodies can't digest the sugars in fruits, and protein will give them kidney failure over time. She may need worming if it hasn't been done. Look on the internet at Petshub for good info with diet and lighting requirments. Russian Torts. aren't like box turtles.