Weight loss in young Horsfield

MCXV · 20-09-2009, 11:15 AM

This may already have been answered, but I have two young Horsfields but have only just started to weight them (September 2009). They are both losing weight, one only a couple of grams a week, but the other seems to have lost 10 grams in seven days. They are kept togther in a greenhouse with a basking lamp and access to the outside - the one losing the mosy weight (Frank) is very, very active but I am conderned as he has lost so much prior ro hibernation. How worried should I be please? Does my other tortoise (Shelby) eat all the food? Don't think this is the case as there is always stuff left over Dandelion, Bind Weed, Courgette etc).Should I separate them?
Would appreciate any comments, thanks.

linda · 20-09-2009, 02:23 PM

weight can vary if the tortoise has emptied its bowel and bladder

it will appear to lose weight

however if the weight loss is continuous over several weeks

there may be a problem

have the torts been screened for worms and protozoa

MCXV · 20-09-2009, 06:03 PM

That's brilliant, thanks, will arrange that in the morning. will post how I get on, ta.

20-09-2009, 11:15 AM	#1
MCXV Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Exmouth, Devon, UK Posts: 3	Weight loss in young Horsfield This may already have been answered, but I have two young Horsfields but have only just started to weight them (September 2009). They are both losing weight, one only a couple of grams a week, but the other seems to have lost 10 grams in seven days. They are kept togther in a greenhouse with a basking lamp and access to the outside - the one losing the mosy weight (Frank) is very, very active but I am conderned as he has lost so much prior ro hibernation. How worried should I be please? Does my other tortoise (Shelby) eat all the food? Don't think this is the case as there is always stuff left over Dandelion, Bind Weed, Courgette etc).Should I separate them? Would appreciate any comments, thanks.

20-09-2009, 06:03 PM	#3
MCXV Junior Member Egg Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Exmouth, Devon, UK Posts: 3	Weight loss That's brilliant, thanks, will arrange that in the morning. will post how I get on, ta.

20-09-2009, 02:23 PM	#2
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	weight can vary if the tortoise has emptied its bowel and bladder it will appear to lose weight however if the weight loss is continuous over several weeks there may be a problem have the torts been screened for worms and protozoa

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