Bit worried!!
 

Some help please. Last few weeks my 12 year old male has gone off his food and spends all day and night in his hut. I've been soaking him and just after trying to feed him he walks straight back and puts himself to bed. Last year and beginning of this year after hibernation he was active, chasing the female, mating and feeding well. I can't work out why he has gone so quiet. They have freedom of a large enclosed south facing garden and everything to eat plus the food we also give them. Any ideas please as beginning to worry a bit now. Female is active, feeding well and just laid 3 eggs.
It has been suggest round worms could be the problem.

Hey Steve, maybe its best to send for a worm kit they dont cost much then at least you'll know x matt

When you know something is wrong, and dont know why, then its best to get a checkup at a good tortoise vets. As this time of the year they should be active.
If he had worms you can normally see them in their stools, although not always.

Thank you. I will locate a tortoise vet but in the meantime it might be good to worm him. What should I use? or is there one you can recommend?

They do say not to worm unless you know they have worms as it upsets their gut bacteria and it basically blasts everything out, kills worms. Panacur is used with right dosage but personally I would explore other avenues, such as toxic plants in area, dehydration, scratches. It is very hot so is there a chance he just is active when you are not around like 5am , munches and hides? If in doubt Vets is best. meanwhile bath in carrot juice to part water as he will ingest nutrients via skin and shell then. Can you come back to us with what his urates and or poops looks like, CB

Agree with CB , don’t worm unless you now they have a worm problem. And agree, get him to a specialist vet.

Well I am confused. I have just soaked him and tried to feed him but he wont eat anything. He is quite fussy as he was given tortoise food before he came to me so it has been quite a struggle getting him to eat proper food but he was eating greens etc. I tried him on some soaked pellets but nothing (normally he will eat them). The female came over to see what it was and scoffed it down...she eats anything and everything. He then started bobbing his head, biting her, trying to mount her and chased her off. Does this seem like an ill tortoise? Still worried about eating though. Also no poos or urates when he is soaked. As they have freedom in the garden I don't tend to watch them feed as they eat everything they find plus salad etc we do put down everyday. Its only as he has been sleeping all the time made me concerned.

He doesn't sound right from what you say. Follow your instincts.

Could he be constipated?

Perhaps best the vet sees him, even if for some reassurance.

could be aestivation we forget tortoises need the heat but not the direct sun and excessive heat day in day out. My Horsfields dig down and I don't see them for a while, even misting and spraying doesn't bring them out.

Are you South because its soooo hot - if as Jan says may be constipated a travel in the car may do the trick or try lettuce to induce runs...but try be sure whats the issue otherwise it could add to any stress both you and tort!

Thanks for your replies. He did eat today. But as you say, it is really hot so I think you may be right aestivation