Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have recently had a Russian tortoise die. It began acting a bit strange a week and a half ago. It started rubing its face and craning its neck backward. It started to loose weight and has finnaly surcumed.

I figured that was most likely an isolated congenital problem. BUT another tortoise is starting to display the same symptoms.

These are unrelated animals so therefore the problem is either:

1 Environmental: It has been a cool and damp spring. I cover the tortoises during rain but I can not keep out the damp humidity.

2 Pathenogenic: Some germ is causing this and evidence suggest that it is communicable.

I will be calling a vet but I thought I would also ask the forum.

Thanks for the help,

Brian

possible RI. I would get it to the vet if you can.

Christina
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0.0.1 Hatchling Indian Star Tortoise (Sitara)
1.1 Russian Tortoise (Willy & Mikey)
0.1 Ornate Box Turtle (Lily)
1.0 Red Eared Slider (Chester)
0.0.2 White's Tree Frog (Kermit & Phil)
0.0.1 Red eyed Tree Frog (Justin)
0.0.1 Big Eyed Tree Frog
0.0.2 Bubbling Frog
0.0.2 Tiger Leg Tree Frogs (Akari & Shiro)
0.0.3 Amazonian Milky Tree Frogs
0.0.1 Dwarf Megophrys
0.0.2 Rainbow Burrowing Frog/Ornate Hopper
0.0.1 Asian Blue Webbed Gliding Tree Frogs
0.0.1 Albino Pacman Frog
0.1 Praire Dog (Timmy)
0.2 Chinchillas (Layla & Snickers)
0.3 mice
0.1 dog (Holly)
2.0 Cats (Champ & Bear)

Oh and a husband

Definately viral or a respiratory infection. These guys cannot handle cold and damp. The bad thing about those cold frames is that the drainage is probably really bad.
If you want to continue keeping russians in that setup I'd suggest that you remove as much dirt as you can and put in a good layer of gravel or sand.
Either way, a vet visit for the remainder is a good idea.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care