Advice for a light THH

[Tarpon]

Hi All, new to the forum so by way of intro I am keeping a number of THH in Switzerland (various subspecies Corsica, Varoise, Mallorca)

One of my females was light as per Jackson ratio last winter and I kept her awake through the winter - she ate but has struggled to gain weight. She is still not eating much and I am syringe feeding critical care. Is there any advice on how I can feed her with a weight gaining food, all my torts are fed a 100% natural diet. She has been wormed last year and checked out by the vet who advises nothing medically wrong.

Shes being regularly hydrated but I am at a loss of what to do next.

many thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Tarpon

[Tarpon]

here is a small snapshot of the weight evolution of this tortoise

9 12 16 672 grams
15 12 16 693 grams
12 1 17 688 grams
12 2 17 647 grams
9 3 17 664 grams
8 4 17 640 grams
18 5 17 604 grams
1 6 17 599 grams
18 6 17 595 grams

[burnt toast]

Hello welcome
You could try adding some of this to her daily bath

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Vitamins-...eywords=abidec

How big is the tort?

Add this to her bath, about 2cm in the pippet provided in a shallow warm bath & try to keep her in for half an hour (you might have to top up without water). You need to persevere & after a month you should start to see results

[Tarpon]

Thanks for this information BT.
This tortoise is 15 CMs

[Tarpon]

so it makes 0.176 on the Jackson Ratio ..

[Tarpon]

Well the tortoise is being hydrated and has continued to take small amounts of dandelions and some tomato & cucumber to support hydration but still not eating with anything like a regular appetite.

Latest weight evolution as below:

1/7/17 616 grams
9/7/17 610 grams

Any suggestions on how to get some weight on this tortoise appreciated!

[Ozric Jonathan]

Hi Tarpon. I can see why you're concerned because this tortoise can lose 40g in a month and although she sometimes gains weight it's never on the same scale. If she lost 40g now she would be down at 570g.

Is your vet suggesting it's your husbandry that's causing the weight loss? I would have expected the vet to be curious about what's going on and to take some blood for tests or a 3D scan. Or something.

One option would be to feed something like mazuri and see what happens. Tortoises will normally eat more of it than is good for them in normal circumstances and if she has no appetite for mazuri then something really must be wrong. Others might be horrified at the suggestion but if she continues to loose weight she might end up needing to be tube fed.

[Tarpon]

Thanks flr the comment OJ - tye vet took stool samples they came back negative/clear. I have seen a specialist at a local tortoise sanctuary. I dont think they ate issue with how i keep my tortoises (although i dont exclude that totally) - i have specialised in THH for 15 years and this the first time i come across such an issue. Your spot on with the weight loss/gain - seems she cant retain weight.

I have something similar to mazuri and will try it - as mentioned before all myntortisws have 100% natural food but i have tried her on succulent food such as cucumber and tomato purely for short term hydration.

Lets see how she takes to the artficial - i a, giving it a go - thanks for your comments - i appreciate the input -

[Ozric Jonathan]

I hope it works out for you Tarpon. My personal opinion is that there are times when these foods are useful but I don't use them normally. Let us know how you get on.

[Tarpon]

Thanks again Jonathan - it's a good tip you gave and am trying it and yes will post an update of what happens, will also try and upload some photos of this tortoise