Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My male adult redfoot, who seemed healthy as of yesterday morning, now is not. I fed him wetted Mazuri pellets yesterday a.m. (which he has eaten right along) and he consumed all of them. When I checked him last night, he had vomited up some of that food, and also looked like he had loose poop. I called the vet today who said that maybe the food didn't agree, or maybe parasites (he was wormed a year ago) and that I should give him his veggie diet and see if he vomits again. I gave him a strawberry before work and he didn't touch it. Seemed interested when I gave it to him though. I fed him greens tonite and he wants no part of them. Usually a voracious eater. Now he just checks out the food and goes in his favorite corner. Not active or responsive. I am really worried that I am going to lose him! No respiratory symptoms, dry nostrils, etch. Please help! thanks. Karen

I do not feed Mazuri myself, but remember a discussion about Mazuri spoiling quite easily. It then can lead to quite serious problems in the tortoise.
I am sure, that Ed Pirog can give you more details, when he'll read your post, and advice on how to use Mazuri safely.
Good luck, Gaby

I think that stuff goes south pretty quickly. The vet is the best answer though.
I would give it a good soaking too.

I suspect Mazuri can go bad and I try to be careful when feeding the stuff. I store it in a plastic 5 gal bucket with a lid and I try to be careful keeping it dry. If I have any doubt I throw it out. I still recomend feeding the stuff as part of a varied diet.
This has happened to me on a few occasions. What I question is that it was only one individual out of the group and no others showed any sign of any problems. I'm guessing that individual ate too much too quick.
I would look into the parasite aspect. If it passed loose stools right after eating the odds are that it was not the food.
Have the vet check for Entameoba. I suspect that this damn bug can live without any problems in tortoises and then one day 'BAM' it becomes a grave problem.
Mention to your vet that someone (you can use my name) suggested Flagyl at a low dosage over a relatively long frequency or better yet, there is a relatively new drug that gets the cysts in addition to the Entameoba. Both drugs are safe and should do no harm if the Entameoba is not present. The problem with diagnosing Entameoba is that if it is shedding evidence in the fecals it's an easy diagnosis but it does not always shed the little ba... buggers.
The vet is the answer ASAP. I'd also suggest the daily soakings.
I've got a RF that I thought for sure would die but it is still hanging on and eating and all but it looks like crap. I followed this course of action with it and it seems to be working. I don't think you should try this on your own but with the help of a vet.
Good luck.
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Ed
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Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care