russian tortoise?

Question

I am pet sitting my mother's russian tortoise. I've had it for just over a week and I haven't noticed it eat anything since I got it. I know it doesn't touch the fresh veggies. It will drink if I take it out of it's house and plop it in the water, which I do once a day. I have now noticed that it is covered with tiny tiny white bugs. They seem to be mainly in the folds of skin and the cracks on the underside of the shell. What can I do about this and how much of an emergency is this?

I'll take him to the vet tomorrow and post the results! thanks everyone!

Took it to the vet which was very educational. It's not a russian tortoise, it's an eastern box turtle. Also, it's female and not a male. The vet said she will be fine, the bugs were just some sort of mite. He instructed me to wash out the cage and to soak the turtle in plain warm water for 30 minutes a day. Soaked her about 2 hours ago and cleaned out the cage completely and replaced everything. Just checked her and there is no sign of bugs. So I'll just keep a close eye on her and continue the soaking every day. Also changing her diet to an omnivore one from an herbivore one. Thanks to all your answers!

Answer 1

the bugs are mites. go to petsmart (not sure what other pet stores have it) and ask one of the pet care associates for the repti-care medication for it (or just ask for a medication for mites of a turtle - there's a few brands - all good). it's a slight emergency and needs to be taken care of right away before the mites cause an infection.

Answer 2

I'd take it in to the vet just to be safe.
There is no telling how long it's been a problem, and if it's stopped eating, you should make sure there is nothing else wrong.
Parasites can cause other infections and illness.

Also, the vet can give you medicine that will kill the parasites but not the tortoise.

Remember that you need to treat the cage too. Just treating the tortoise is pointless if you put it back in an infested cage.

Good luck


EDIT
Don't go to petsmart or petco. Those people are idiots. PLEASE go to a vet!!

Answer 3

Keeping it hydrated is important. You can soak the tort in lukewarm water for 20-30 mins a day to help with its appetite. Most tortoises stop eating and so into almost hybernation if the temps and humidity are not right. They need a low 90's basking area and mid 70's to low 80's in the rest of the tank. Have you tried bribing with Dandelion or clover flowers? Most Russians can't resist them!

Answer 4

Your vet is mistaken about the diet. In the wild Eastern Box Turtles (EBT) eat about 75% 'bugs', and they are healthiest when you offer this in captivity as well.

My diet for EBTs is:
- 1/3rd live food from pet shop- worms, crickets, super worms, etc. Avoid mealworms except for a very rare treat (the shells cause blockages.)

- 1/3rd meat from the store- cooked chicken or organ meats, hard boiled eggs, small oily fish with bones, or weight-maintenance cat food (canned, moist, or well-soaked kibble) [NOTE- not too much of the cat food in any meal! Only about 1/4 teaspoon). No fatty meats like hot dogs, etc.

- 1/3rd mixed salad of dark leafy greens, chopped carrots, yellow squash, mushrooms, maybe a few berries, etc. Avoid too much kale or spinach, and do not use head lettuce like Iceberg!

A daily serving is about the size of its head- not much food on any day!

A dash of calcium carbonate (Repti-Cal) once a week, and a dash of powdered reptile vitamins twice a week finishes the diet.

For more, try http://www.boxturtlesite.info or http://www.tortoisetrust.org

Answer 5

in case you decide on them to mate you decide on a male and make effective they are the appropriate age and length you are able to tell if a Russian tortoise is mature by utilising staring at their tail it must be tipped on the proper it truly is whilst they are sexually mature mating in captivity for Russian tortoises is extremely complicated hibernating will make it greater much less complicated for them to mate i could additionally advise identifying to purchase a 2nd mature male in the event that they try this is going to stimulate them to mate you besides would would desire to save them healthful risky Russian tortoises won't mate wish this facilitates!!!!!!!

Answer 6

DO NOT LET THE VET GIVE IT A SHOT! THEY WILL KILL IT! MY VET KILLED MY RUSSIAN! GO TO THE STORE AND GET SOME BATH MIX!