Help - My Tortoise Will Not Eat

[and1ek]

Hi
My two med tortoises are over 50 years old and they are not eating. I have warmed them up cool area 24 degrees and they have a basking light approx 32/33 degrees. They seem very bright and holding their heads up but they are definately not eating. I have taken them to the vet and she said warm them up and that will increase their metabolic rate, she also gave them a vitamin injection Its been 5 days now and still no different. I have heard about feeding them with baby food...........is this correct??? I am bathing the tortoises in warm water twice a day a day the morning bath I am putting Reptoboost in the water which they are drinking.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Thank you

[Alan1]

lots of people are having the same problem just because the weather has turned cooler.

you could try the temperatures at the basking spot a little higher, 35c. they need to be warm enough not just for one day, it has to be a regular thing with regular temps at night too.

have you just recently got these two 50 year olds?

[MiShelley]

My torts have been a bit funny eating wise recently, I think it's because the weather has gone a bit rubbish again and they can sense it! Have they got loads of light? I find that increasng the light sometimes helps. Are the temps also kept nice and warm at night?

[and1ek]

Yes I have just been given these two torties, they are currently bathing in the reptoboost which they are drinking in the bath which is great news. The night time temp is 24 degrees I keep this constant. They have got lots of light and a 160w basking light which they seem to just sit under and not move out of it. I will increase the basking light temp to 35 degrees.

[Bindi]

They could just be setling in, your temps sound good, I expect the change has unsettled them a little, as well as the rubbishy weather we've been having lately.

Are they indoors or outside? If indoors, what are the ambient room temps like?

[Neddy]

I agree with Bindi, If you have just been given these tortoises and they are 50 years old it is a massive change for them.

How long have you had them?

[Anita Sayles]

How were they kept before you got them? If they were used to warmer conditions they will certainly feel the temperature changes.
The warmer basking temp should help - I find at 32deg my tortoise doesn't do much but lay there and then wander back to bed. I lowered the lamp slightly and my basking temp now is 34+ nearly 35 and now he's having a nice warm up, then wandering around and making his way back to the lamp when he feels the need
Actually it's surprising what a couple of degrees can make

[Gem]

what have been trying to feed?
were they eating ok prior to coming to you?
Have they any other symptoms,bubbles,runny noise,making noises?
Did they go to a proper Reptile vet ?

[egyptiandan64]

Just to add more questions How long are your lights on for? Do you know what species of tortoise you have? How does their skin look? The last is a strange question I know, but sometimes a vet can over-dose with the vitamin shots and cause a problem. What you'd be looking for is shiny wet looking skin that is sloughing off and it being red underneath.

Danny

[and1ek]

The tortoises are Hermann, the previous owners had them for nearly 50 years. They kept them cool they had no lights and they had trouble getting them to eat. I thought it was just a case of warming them up like I have done with my other torties and they started to eat again, not in this case. I have turned up the basking light to 35 degrees, their skin looks very healthy no runny noses or breathing problems, bright eyes they look fine. The female feels very light but she is walking about and both their heads are up. I have tried weeds, then I moved on to lambs lettuce, watercress, chicory, radiccio lettuce, tomato and cucumber. I thought that toms and cucumber would tempt them but no They are drinking reptoboost which I am pleased. They are weeing but no pooing. The previous owner did take them to a reptile vet. I will take them to a specialist vet that I take my tortoises too on Tuesday, but thought I would ask you experts in the meantime. I thought turning up their heat would do the trick !!! I will worm them also tomorrow just incase this is the problem. The previous owner did say that the female has recently laid an egg, I am thinking about asking the vet to xray her just incase she is egg bound. They are kept in a heated house at night, I have the basking light on for approx 12 hours a day this time of year, they like snoozing under it. I must emphasise that they do not look sick, otherwise I would of taken them to the vets before tues.

Thank you all for your help really appreciate it, you guys are great x