Before starting my article I will like to say a few words about health.
"Every human being is the author of his own health or disease."
"He, who has health, has hope. And he, who has hope, has everything."
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."
Russian Tortoise Health
Russian tortoises are great beginner pet tortoises, as they are healthy and hardy creatures. These tortoises are relatively small in regards to other tortoises that are in the pet market.
The most important thing that you can do to keep a tortoise healthy, is to ensure that you are providing a proper enclosure and diet. By keeping the temperature, humidity, and overall enclosure at the basic requirements, you can easily keep a healthy, happy tortoise.
What you want to do, is to make sure that you do proper research so that you can provide proper care for a Russian tortoise. If you aren't able to support a pet tortoise, you may want to consider a different type of pet. Otherwise, if you have the time and space for a pet Russian tortoise, you'll want to make sure that you are knowledgeable about about the care and illnesses of the pet.
Common Health Problems
It's very important that you are aware of what illnesses Russian tortoises may contract or develop. It's important that you keep an eye on your tortoise, because any changes in appetite, behaviors, or overall routine may indicate an illness is developing.
The most common health problems that a Russian tortoise may succumb are very minor. They may cuts and abrasions; long toenails; and a chipped, cracked, or broken beak.
* Cuts should be cleaned with lukewarm water and non-scented, mild soap. If the wound starts to swell, you'll want to seek veterinary assistance.
* Toenails are typically short and stubby in the back and longer in the front, and should be kept at short lengths, but when housed on smooth surfaces, the nails can grow too long. You can trim the nails, but be careful of cutting the quick.
* If the beak cracks, becomes chipped, or breaks, it should rebuild itself over time, but you may want to consult your veterinarian if the beak is growing back abnormally. A tortoise beak will usually be worn away naturally by eating on a stone or flat rock, or by gnawing on a cuttle bone.
* Male tortoises are prone to penal prolapse, which you may able to treat at home, if the prolapse is minor, but severe prolapses will need veterinary help. For minor treatment at home, you'll need to soak the tortoise in a saline solution or lukewarm sugar water. Do not push the tissues back in place, but if they don't shrink, you'll need to make an appointment as soon as possible.
Tortoise Diseases and Ailments
Respiratory Infections- Respiratory illnesses are generally caused by bacteria, lower temperatures, and stress (causing lowered immune system). You may notice wheezing and sometimes a mucous discharge from the nose and/or mouth. If you wait till the tortoise is breathing out of its mouth, you're not in for good results. You need to seek veterinary assistance immediately. The tortoise will also need an antibiotic, which may be given through the nose or injections. If the tortoise has a respiratory illness, you'll want to bump the temperatures up in the enclosure to help boost the immune system. You'll also want to make sure that you keep it hydrated. If caught early, the tortoise should have a full recovery.
Shell Rot- Shell rot is an infectious disease that is generally caused by bacteria or fungus. In most cases, the bacteria or fungus will enter the body through a cut, scrape, or lesion on the shell. If not caught and treated early, shell rot can lead to septicemia (which is an infection of the bloodstream). You may notice shell rot in your tortoise if it has a white powdery, pitted, or flaking patches on the shell; if left untreated, the infection may eat away the shell.
External Parasites- External parasites include ticks, mites, and flies. If you notice any of these, you'll need to treat immediately as they can cause disease.
* Ticks are generally more of a problem with wild caught or imported tortoises. They will typically burrow into the upper legs, neck, and tail.
Ear Abscess
* Mites are rare, but can be picked up from other reptiles. Most mites will be black or red and about the size of a poppy seed. Mites can be hard to get rid of because they can be found in hard to get places. You'll want to find a safe and effective treatment to treat the tortoise and enclosure. Ivermectic is deadly, so don't use it.
* Flies are usually attracted to cuts and abrasions and will lay their eggs in the wound. For Russian tortoises that spend time outside, you'll want to check for cuts frequently, and use fly traps to prevent flies.
"Every human being is the author of his own health or disease."
"He, who has health, has hope. And he, who has hope, has everything."
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."
Russian Tortoise Health
Russian tortoises are great beginner pet tortoises, as they are healthy and hardy creatures. These tortoises are relatively small in regards to other tortoises that are in the pet market.
The most important thing that you can do to keep a tortoise healthy, is to ensure that you are providing a proper enclosure and diet. By keeping the temperature, humidity, and overall enclosure at the basic requirements, you can easily keep a healthy, happy tortoise.
What you want to do, is to make sure that you do proper research so that you can provide proper care for a Russian tortoise. If you aren't able to support a pet tortoise, you may want to consider a different type of pet. Otherwise, if you have the time and space for a pet Russian tortoise, you'll want to make sure that you are knowledgeable about about the care and illnesses of the pet.
Common Health Problems
It's very important that you are aware of what illnesses Russian tortoises may contract or develop. It's important that you keep an eye on your tortoise, because any changes in appetite, behaviors, or overall routine may indicate an illness is developing.
The most common health problems that a Russian tortoise may succumb are very minor. They may cuts and abrasions; long toenails; and a chipped, cracked, or broken beak.
* Cuts should be cleaned with lukewarm water and non-scented, mild soap. If the wound starts to swell, you'll want to seek veterinary assistance.
* Toenails are typically short and stubby in the back and longer in the front, and should be kept at short lengths, but when housed on smooth surfaces, the nails can grow too long. You can trim the nails, but be careful of cutting the quick.
* If the beak cracks, becomes chipped, or breaks, it should rebuild itself over time, but you may want to consult your veterinarian if the beak is growing back abnormally. A tortoise beak will usually be worn away naturally by eating on a stone or flat rock, or by gnawing on a cuttle bone.
* Male tortoises are prone to penal prolapse, which you may able to treat at home, if the prolapse is minor, but severe prolapses will need veterinary help. For minor treatment at home, you'll need to soak the tortoise in a saline solution or lukewarm sugar water. Do not push the tissues back in place, but if they don't shrink, you'll need to make an appointment as soon as possible.
Tortoise Diseases and Ailments
Respiratory Infections- Respiratory illnesses are generally caused by bacteria, lower temperatures, and stress (causing lowered immune system). You may notice wheezing and sometimes a mucous discharge from the nose and/or mouth. If you wait till the tortoise is breathing out of its mouth, you're not in for good results. You need to seek veterinary assistance immediately. The tortoise will also need an antibiotic, which may be given through the nose or injections. If the tortoise has a respiratory illness, you'll want to bump the temperatures up in the enclosure to help boost the immune system. You'll also want to make sure that you keep it hydrated. If caught early, the tortoise should have a full recovery.
Shell Rot- Shell rot is an infectious disease that is generally caused by bacteria or fungus. In most cases, the bacteria or fungus will enter the body through a cut, scrape, or lesion on the shell. If not caught and treated early, shell rot can lead to septicemia (which is an infection of the bloodstream). You may notice shell rot in your tortoise if it has a white powdery, pitted, or flaking patches on the shell; if left untreated, the infection may eat away the shell.
External Parasites- External parasites include ticks, mites, and flies. If you notice any of these, you'll need to treat immediately as they can cause disease.
* Ticks are generally more of a problem with wild caught or imported tortoises. They will typically burrow into the upper legs, neck, and tail.
Ear Abscess
* Mites are rare, but can be picked up from other reptiles. Most mites will be black or red and about the size of a poppy seed. Mites can be hard to get rid of because they can be found in hard to get places. You'll want to find a safe and effective treatment to treat the tortoise and enclosure. Ivermectic is deadly, so don't use it.
* Flies are usually attracted to cuts and abrasions and will lay their eggs in the wound. For Russian tortoises that spend time outside, you'll want to check for cuts frequently, and use fly traps to prevent flies.
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