Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry I can't post pics, but I'm looking for suggestions on this. I've never had a tortoise or turtle before, and we're nursing a 2.5"-shelled red foot. (Long story short, we get to buy from a pet store and pay a touch over cost for what we order, and in return we occasionally take in an ill animal for TLC they don't have the man-power to do being short on employees)

He had been in a 10 gallon with cypress (I think) mulch, an excellent diet of greens (some meat once a week), water access, a good hide, proper lighting, but with two sulcatas in the same tank (all of same size /- 1/4". He hadn't been seen eating for a couple days, was usually sitting in a corner away from the others, and just yesterday he wasn't able to open his eyes. There had been another red foot in the tank that had died a day after being removed for not looking very well.

I brought him home last night and soaked him in the bathtub for about 20 minutes. After about 10 his eyes were open again and he was exploring the entire tub. I presently have him in a plastic tub about the size of a 10gal on paper towels, and he ate about 2 green beans last night (I put in a variety to tempt him, and that's what he went for). He's eating again today, and no signs of problems. Well, the top of his head looks a little dry (dry-skin looking), and the underside of his shell has a couple parts that look a bit drawn like puckered skin around a wound, though there's no wound or evidence of one.

I THINK he was just stressed at the store with the sulcatas, but then the other red foot died a couple days ago. Is there anything specific I should look for? Anything I should do each day for him other than let him get some REAL Florida sun (Bradenton) and give him a good veggie variety to choose from (and basking area, or course)? Thanks for the help!

~Krystie

I'd suggest treating the tortoise with Flagyl for a few weeks.

If they are farmed RFs... I'd highly recommend treating them with the Flagyl.
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Is that something you can get OTC for him (like at a feed store perhaps?) or just by perscription? If I do buy him, I'll do a vet check for sure and get whatever he'd really need, but if it's OTC I'll do it later today after my husband gets home. Thanks for the advice!
~Krystie

You can find it on the net where it is sold for fish but it is the same stuff.

>>Is that something you can get OTC for him (like at a feed store perhaps?) or just by perscription? If I do buy him, I'll do a vet check for sure and get whatever he'd really need, but if it's OTC I'll do it later today after my husband gets home. Thanks for the advice!
>>~Krystie
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Ed,What site do you use for Flagyl? Thanks in advance,stay warm my friend.Got a pic of your Aldab.in the snow yet!

I've never had to purchase it on line because I've always been able to get it locally... you know how that goes but it is sold for fish.

I do have a picture of my aldab in the snow but that was last year. This year I was affraid to leave them out because it got into the teens for a few days.

>>Ed,What site do you use for Flagyl? Thanks in advance,stay warm my friend.Got a pic of your Aldab.in the snow yet!
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

why flagyl?

what are you targeting with your treatment? Just curious.

Protozoa. Most redfoots are farmed. Even those that are not farmed are usually kept under crowded conditions under not the most sanitary conditions.

Flagyl is also a good gram negative antibiotic... which I believe is a good portion of the nasty bacterial.

Without spending a fortune in diagnostics it is a logical and relatively safe route for the situation described in the original post which is a very common pattern.

>>why flagyl?
>>
>>what are you targeting with your treatment? Just curious.
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

You may know this but having sick tortoises around is "riskey"Germs everywhere,in the air,in your hair,look out!No Kidd'in aside.Please be carefull,Your trying to help these misstreated animals.Virus contamination of your healthy collection may be lingering for a long time.But if your committed to it and its your calling,go for it,they need you.Good luck.Vic

Thanks to everyone. He perked right up and stayed perked up the whole week I kept him. Total quarentine procedures, of course, outside of the fact that it did happen to be the same house - I kept his container in my bedroom, while all the other herps are in either of the two rooms on the other side of the house. Different stuff, totally, and all soaked in bleach-water or boiled 10 minutes after I took him back. No sense anyone else getting sick! I THINK he was just stressed. I had him eating the same salade mix I give my two young iguanas.But he's back at the store. Nervous, I think, but he was starting to move around in the tank there before I left. Mark (my professional herp and fish guy at the store) is also going to treat him with flagyl in a day or two once he's settled in again. Thanks again!