27-01-2009, 04:48 PM | #1 |
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Egg
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My horsefield tortoise is constipated - help
Can anyone suggest a solution? I have tried soaking him but has not worked yet. He is still eating and urinating.
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27-01-2009, 04:52 PM | #2 |
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how do you know he is constipated? how long has he not poo'ed for?
When mine hasn't been in a couple I up their baths warm water for 20 minutes ish x
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27-01-2009, 04:54 PM | #3 |
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He hasn't been for a week and the last one was quite hard.
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27-01-2009, 04:59 PM | #4 |
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Adult
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you could try some butternut squash, or some aloe vera.
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27-01-2009, 05:01 PM | #5 |
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like lou said, up the temp just a little in the water. Also if a tort is constipated, it usually is because of dehydration. If your feeding correctly he has high fiber so he needs more water. Up the amount of times your soaking and if your not doing it every day, start to.
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27-01-2009, 05:17 PM | #6 |
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try some high fiber food like plantain
what substrate are you using from the TT Frequency of defecation obviously varies depending on how much the turtle/tortoise is eating. If they appear to be straining to produce feces (or haven't gone for several days) try more frequent and prolonged bathing, which can ease mild cases of constipation. If this fails to encourage defecation, a trip to the vet is necessary to rule out the possibility of an intestinal obstruction |
27-01-2009, 05:29 PM | #7 |
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Sub Adult
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I agree with Paul, up his baths to more often... some people bath dehydrated torts once or twice a day..
I may get some people saying dont do this... but , if he IS dehydrated... you could try feeding him some iceberg lettuce .. this has high water content and while its not nutritious, it could be good to get him to have some water... I know a couple of experience keepers on here who do just this and have advised me in the past ... xxx p.s. please make sure if you do this, that you keep all other feeding normal. This should be treated as an extra
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Louise... Horsfield: 1.0.2 Walter / Izzy / Tilly Redfoot : 1.3.0 Ruby / Scarlet / Merlot / Ginger Goldfish : 0:0:1 Splodge Bearded Dragon : 0:1:0 Zuki Springer Spaniel : 1:0:0 Bailey |
27-01-2009, 05:37 PM | #8 |
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Go to asda or your local shop and get some lactolose, that`ll do the trick. Recommended to me by a top reptile vet. If it doesnt do the trick then you`ve got an impacted tort.
Trust me try the lactolose, get some tonight.. |
27-01-2009, 05:45 PM | #9 |
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not stomping on stewie here but try something that is more gentle like the soakings or the lettuce thing before going the lactolose route. If it has only been a little while since he's poo'd don't panic. Water is a miracle cure most often.
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27-01-2009, 06:07 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
Whilst i`m sure theres nothing to worry about at all i can see the owner is getting distressed and is trying soaking and its not working. Lactose is very mild and natural, it can be given as a natural aid for constipation for any tort (and is often a way to diagnose if a tort is impacted or cjust constipated), harmlessly and safely. I`m not suggesting to use it liberally and regularly but if the tort hasnt done anything in a week even though being soaked then i`d suggest this as the sugar will draw water in and if it is just constipated then this will sort it out and help the tort and owner both feel better. |
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