URGENT - whats this squeaking noise?

sammkins · 09-11-2009, 04:28 PM

i have a baby tortoise that is about 5 months old and weighs about 30 grams. It has been squeaking a few times, poking its head out. It hasnt got bubbles out of its nose and isnt keeping its mouth open so im not sure its a respiratory problem, can anyone help me as im sure i read a while ago this happened to someone elses tortoise and it died.

It is eating and walking about as normal? thanks i am really worried.

Pussygalore · 09-11-2009, 04:49 PM

the only time mine have ever made a noise is when sid is mating, if it was mine I think I'd separate it and keep a close eye on it, play safe rather than sorry and if it keeps doing it speak to your vet.

eliza · 10-11-2009, 05:15 PM

My 5yr old male does this quite often. You can hear him squeeking away and everytime I check to see what he's up to always find him mounting the same rock,bobbing his head squeeking away clearly enjoying it. He lives alone but hopefully in the future he wil have 3 females joining him but untill then it seems he's more than happy to use the rock as much as possible squeeking away enjoying all the practicing he's manageing to get .

alice_boots · 10-11-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eliza

My 5yr old male does this quite often. You can hear him squeeking away and everytime I check to see what he's up to always find him mounting the same rock,bobbing his head squeeking away clearly enjoying it. He lives alone but hopefully in the future he wil have 3 females joining him but untill then it seems he's more than happy to use the rock as much as possible squeeking away enjoying all the practicing he's manageing to get .

My lone male does the same.

But it was very embarrassing when my 9 year old sister caught him doing it and asked me what he was doing......

Alistair&Robyn · 10-11-2009, 07:47 PM

I can't imagine a 5 month old will be making rude squeaky noises. What's the humidity in the enclosure? Ours tend to squeak a bit when the humidity is too low for them, sort of like a tortoise alarm!

shellonia · 10-11-2009, 09:29 PM

I've had experience of young ones having a kind of'clicking' when they breathe.I had one that was startled during its bath and drew water up its nose.You do need to keep an eye on it.Could it have swallowed anything that's got stuck?I always feed a pellet if there's any chance of this.Otherwise just keep an eye on it-it will start breathing with half open mouth if it's respiratory.They can be a bit like tiny babies with their squeaks and snuffles.Hope all's well.Keep us posted

sammkins · 11-11-2009, 11:02 PM

i didnt think you had to have a high humidity, ive only had him a couple of weeks and he is on orchid bark and sterilised topsoil, i also bath him every other day, Im not aware that something is stuck, but i will have a look, what sort of pellet do you give yours? not heard of that before.

He is eating and moving around like normal, but he sometimes stretches his head out and squeaks too - hes mouth is not open or doesnt have bubbly nose, thats what im looking out for. Could it be stress from being in a different environment?

ME SHELL · 12-11-2009, 06:45 AM

Hi Sammikins

Where did you get your baby tort from? What was the substrate he was on before?

How long has he been making this noise for?

If I were you I would take him to get checked over. Just to put your mind at ease.

shellonia · 14-11-2009, 05:45 PM

well i get the big fibre pellets via a breeder which I use now and again.when they are thoroughly soaked they are big and fluffy and hold lots of water.Think'Prettypets' on ebay sell them,though can't be sure they are identical.Hope your tort is ok

Star · 14-11-2009, 09:09 PM

Hi

From the description you've given...it sounds very possible that the tortoise is either constipated or has some solid urates that are hard and the tort is struggling to pass them, or some form of compaction within, due to either digesting something, such as bedding, small stones etc.

Bath more regularly and try to encourage plenty of drinking.

I wish you all the luck with the little one, and hope that you have got to the cause of the problem already

09-11-2009, 04:28 PM	#1
sammkins Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sunny Surrey Posts: 321	URGENT - whats this squeaking noise? i have a baby tortoise that is about 5 months old and weighs about 30 grams. It has been squeaking a few times, poking its head out. It hasnt got bubbles out of its nose and isnt keeping its mouth open so im not sure its a respiratory problem, can anyone help me as im sure i read a while ago this happened to someone elses tortoise and it died. It is eating and walking about as normal? thanks i am really worried. __________________ My list: Owner of 3 boys + Hubby 1 Abyssinian Cat 1 Siamese Kitten 6 Horsfield Torts 6 Baby Sulcatas 1 rabbit 2 Aylesbury Ducks Hubbys list: 20 bearded Dragons 1 Blue tongue Skink 7 Chameleons House Gheckos and the list goes on!

11-11-2009, 11:02 PM	#7
sammkins Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sunny Surrey Posts: 321	i didnt think you had to have a high humidity, ive only had him a couple of weeks and he is on orchid bark and sterilised topsoil, i also bath him every other day, Im not aware that something is stuck, but i will have a look, what sort of pellet do you give yours? not heard of that before. He is eating and moving around like normal, but he sometimes stretches his head out and squeaks too - hes mouth is not open or doesnt have bubbly nose, thats what im looking out for. Could it be stress from being in a different environment? __________________ My list: Owner of 3 boys + Hubby 1 Abyssinian Cat 1 Siamese Kitten 6 Horsfield Torts 6 Baby Sulcatas 1 rabbit 2 Aylesbury Ducks Hubbys list: 20 bearded Dragons 1 Blue tongue Skink 7 Chameleons House Gheckos and the list goes on!

14-11-2009, 09:09 PM	#10
Star Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: With My Tortoises Posts: 1,495	Hi From the description you've given...it sounds very possible that the tortoise is either constipated or has some solid urates that are hard and the tort is struggling to pass them, or some form of compaction within, due to either digesting something, such as bedding, small stones etc. Bath more regularly and try to encourage plenty of drinking. I wish you all the luck with the little one, and hope that you have got to the cause of the problem already __________________ 1.1./. Amazing kids 0.1./. Gorgeous Malamute 0.1./. Beautiful Cat 0.5.0. Playful T.H.H / T.H.B 11 Tropical Fish 1 Bearded Lizard Lots of Aspirin Before enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. ~Zen Buddhist Proverb

09-11-2009, 04:49 PM	#2
Pussygalore Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 6,479	the only time mine have ever made a noise is when sid is mating, if it was mine I think I'd separate it and keep a close eye on it, play safe rather than sorry and if it keeps doing it speak to your vet.

10-11-2009, 05:15 PM	#3
eliza Member Hatched Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Newcastle Tyne and Wear Posts: 364	My 5yr old male does this quite often. You can hear him squeeking away and everytime I check to see what he's up to always find him mounting the same rock,bobbing his head squeeking away clearly enjoying it. He lives alone but hopefully in the future he wil have 3 females joining him but untill then it seems he's more than happy to use the rock as much as possible squeeking away enjoying all the practicing he's manageing to get .

10-11-2009, 07:47 PM	#5
Alistair&Robyn Member Hatched Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Leeds Posts: 442	I can't imagine a 5 month old will be making rude squeaky noises. What's the humidity in the enclosure? Ours tend to squeak a bit when the humidity is too low for them, sort of like a tortoise alarm!

10-11-2009, 09:29 PM	#6
shellonia Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central s england Posts: 1,534	I've had experience of young ones having a kind of'clicking' when they breathe.I had one that was startled during its bath and drew water up its nose.You do need to keep an eye on it.Could it have swallowed anything that's got stuck?I always feed a pellet if there's any chance of this.Otherwise just keep an eye on it-it will start breathing with half open mouth if it's respiratory.They can be a bit like tiny babies with their squeaks and snuffles.Hope all's well.Keep us posted

12-11-2009, 06:45 AM	#8
ME SHELL Senior Member Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 8,484	Hi Sammikins Where did you get your baby tort from? What was the substrate he was on before? How long has he been making this noise for? If I were you I would take him to get checked over. Just to put your mind at ease.

14-11-2009, 05:45 PM	#9
shellonia Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central s england Posts: 1,534	well i get the big fibre pellets via a breeder which I use now and again.when they are thoroughly soaked they are big and fluffy and hold lots of water.Think'Prettypets' on ebay sell them,though can't be sure they are identical.Hope your tort is ok

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)