Have I done the wrong thing?

ethelandedna · 23-02-2011, 05:50 PM

(Apologies if this is the wrong place for this thread but wasn't sure where to put it.)

I have today paid for a Hermann tort at a local garden centre pet department (can I name names? - ******** in Tamworth). The staff seem pretty knowledgeable (apart from the usual problem of having to flog vivs), all the cages/enclosures seem clean and the animals healthy and well cared for.

The 3 torts were all quite lively, scuttling around, climbing and eating.

My worry is this - having read several of the care sheets linked from the forum, one advises against buying from such places because the torts are usually bred in Slovenia and can carry worms/parasites.

When I rang the shop back and asked they said yes - their tortoises are bred in Slovenia or Macedonia.

We haven't actually brought the little chap home yet as we don't have the correct UV/heat lamp set-up (have posted about this on another thread).

What should I do? Get a refund and run a mile (and break my daughter's heart

)? Carry on 'cause my worries are unfounded?

I am utterly confused dot com. Please help.

Petrus · 23-02-2011, 07:24 PM

My two Hermanns were from a garden centre. One had an upper respiratory infection but apart from that they have been fine.

indian star · 23-02-2011, 07:32 PM

the choice is yours Im afraid, all I would consider is you may need to get the tort to a vet to check he/she is ok

**Bindi** · 23-02-2011, 07:36 PM

Firstly, don't panic! Lot's of people have imported tortoises, many are fine.

It is perhaps the stress of the importation that causes any illness or disease to surface, together with the likelihood of them mixing with many other torts.

It may be worth a visit to specialist reptile vet to get a poo sample checked for worms and for him to get the once over to put your mind at rest (the tort, not the vet

)

ziggy's owner · 23-02-2011, 07:38 PM

I've brought 2 of mine from a shop and had no problems

topsyturvy · 23-02-2011, 07:58 PM

I bought one of my horsfields from a shop and she has been fine from the first day, never stopped eating

Petrus · 23-02-2011, 07:58 PM

I agree with Bindi and Ziggy. My two are from Slovenia and they have been fine. A vet at the vet should only cost about 25 quid.

**16 shells** · 23-02-2011, 08:53 PM

The fact's seem to be very nice if you can buy home bred tort's, not 100% that it will be healthy all the time, this could be down to genetic's or your husbandry. The other's imported, could be from farmed Slovenia, Macedonia and large breeder's in Germany, still some good healthy tort's coming out of there.

katepalmer · 23-02-2011, 08:53 PM

should be fine i have 4 leos, no idea where they came from and i have had a good run with mine, good luck and like the experts say get a poo sample to vet to be 100% sure and put your mind at rest x x x show us piccies when you get him x x x

shellonia · 23-02-2011, 10:06 PM

Hi and welcome!Firstly you've done the right thing in joining a forum.Please don't hesitate in asking any question you may have.You are obviously caring and you just need to learn as much as you can as you go along.so I hope you have a healthy happy tortoise and enjoy him as much as the rest of us do ours.

23-02-2011, 05:50 PM	#1
ethelandedna Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lichfield, UK Posts: 201	Have I done the wrong thing? (Apologies if this is the wrong place for this thread but wasn't sure where to put it.) I have today paid for a Hermann tort at a local garden centre pet department (can I name names? - ******** in Tamworth). The staff seem pretty knowledgeable (apart from the usual problem of having to flog vivs), all the cages/enclosures seem clean and the animals healthy and well cared for. The 3 torts were all quite lively, scuttling around, climbing and eating. My worry is this - having read several of the care sheets linked from the forum, one advises against buying from such places because the torts are usually bred in Slovenia and can carry worms/parasites. When I rang the shop back and asked they said yes - their tortoises are bred in Slovenia or Macedonia. We haven't actually brought the little chap home yet as we don't have the correct UV/heat lamp set-up (have posted about this on another thread). What should I do? Get a refund and run a mile (and break my daughter's heart )? Carry on 'cause my worries are unfounded? I am utterly confused dot com. Please help. Last edited by Bindi; 23-02-2011 at 07:21 PM. Reason: removal of shop name

23-02-2011, 07:36 PM	#4
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	Firstly, don't panic! Lot's of people have imported tortoises, many are fine. It is perhaps the stress of the importation that causes any illness or disease to surface, together with the likelihood of them mixing with many other torts. It may be worth a visit to specialist reptile vet to get a poo sample checked for worms and for him to get the once over to put your mind at rest (the tort, not the vet ) __________________

23-02-2011, 07:38 PM	#5
ziggy's owner Senior Member Adult Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: west midlands Posts: 4,152	I've brought 2 of mine from a shop and had no problems __________________ 2.0.0 spur thighs 2.3.0 hermanns 2.1.1 marginated 0.0.4 leopard 2.8.0 guinea pigs 1.2.0 Springers 1.0.0 hamster 0.0.1 Blue Tongue skink 2.2.0 Beardies And tropical fish Also have baby marginated tortoises for sale

23-02-2011, 07:58 PM	#6
topsyturvy Member Incubating Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 211	I bought one of my horsfields from a shop and she has been fine from the first day, never stopped eating __________________ 1 horsfield Olly 1 horsfield Norman 1 hermanns George Jen

23-02-2011, 08:53 PM	#8
16 shells Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hull Posts: 7,286	The fact's seem to be very nice if you can buy home bred tort's, not 100% that it will be healthy all the time, this could be down to genetic's or your husbandry. The other's imported, could be from farmed Slovenia, Macedonia and large breeder's in Germany, still some good healthy tort's coming out of there. __________________ Paul.

23-02-2011, 07:24 PM	#2
Petrus Banned Juvenile Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Glasgow Posts: 997	My two Hermanns were from a garden centre. One had an upper respiratory infection but apart from that they have been fine.

23-02-2011, 07:32 PM	#3
indian star Member Incubating Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 240	the choice is yours Im afraid, all I would consider is you may need to get the tort to a vet to check he/she is ok

23-02-2011, 08:53 PM	#9
katepalmer Member Incubating Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: willersey, broadway,worcestershire Posts: 106	should be fine i have 4 leos, no idea where they came from and i have had a good run with mine, good luck and like the experts say get a poo sample to vet to be 100% sure and put your mind at rest x x x show us piccies when you get him x x x __________________ Thank you x x x love Rocky,spots,Stella,petals and chalks the Leos and maisy and marmalade the red foots xxxxxx

23-02-2011, 10:06 PM	#10
shellonia Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central s england Posts: 1,534	Hi and welcome!Firstly you've done the right thing in joining a forum.Please don't hesitate in asking any question you may have.You are obviously caring and you just need to learn as much as you can as you go along.so I hope you have a healthy happy tortoise and enjoy him as much as the rest of us do ours.

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