My Tunisian Spur-Thigh " Miles " Seems to be struggling with breathing? - Page 2

EJ · 12-01-2011, 07:03 PM

Upping the temperatures is a good suggestion. I'd suggest staying with the heat mat because that is the best way to heat a tortoise. Make sure the tortoise has the option to leave the mat.

Does the mat have a rheostat (not a thermostat)?

What have you been feeding the tortoise? What kind of substrate are you using? Have you seen the tortoise passing anything recently?

AdamK · 12-01-2011, 07:04 PM

In the day the temps are around 31 in heat spot at night drop to around 19 i think.. He usually does it after hes been bathed.. Hes kept on Prorep Tortoise Life soil substrate?? Once i thought he was drowning because he kept his head under the water for so long lifted him out and he opened wide and gasped then.. Ever since he seems to struggle with it.. The water wasnt too deep it seemed he just chose to have his head under? He's never been checked for worms mate.. Hes around 4 months old?

AdamK · 12-01-2011, 07:06 PM

How can i up my temperatures? All i have is a heat lamp and a seperate uv lamp?? i've been feeding him mainly Romain lettuce also some dandelions out of the garden but not for a while.. Some fruit and flower komodo pellets.. and abit of kale now and again??

NATURALIS · 12-01-2011, 07:09 PM

i would up the day time temp a little , whats he like the rest of the time , does he eat ok etc , i also would not recomend heat mats they encourage protozoa to flurish .

TortBabe · 12-01-2011, 07:12 PM

You can lower the lamp a little to up your temps, about 34-35

AdamK · 12-01-2011, 07:17 PM

i've got a few pictures on another thread showing my viv.. Unfortunately, i'd have to cut through the mesh in the top of my viv to lower the lamp? Is their any other way?

EJ · 12-01-2011, 07:18 PM

I thought it was mentioned you were using a heat mat... but I don't think you need that with the temperatures you mentioned.

What kind of fruit? The Kale you don't really need with you feeding the Komodo diet. The rest sounds good.

With the substrate I'd suggest hemp, shredded aspen or sand/soil mix.

Do you provide a water dish?

How long have you had it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamK

How can i up my temperatures? All i have is a heat lamp and a seperate uv lamp?? i've been feeding him mainly Romain lettuce also some dandelions out of the garden but not for a while.. Some fruit and flower komodo pellets.. and abit of kale now and again??

EJ · 12-01-2011, 07:24 PM

I would like to say this privately but it's against my practices...

(sigh... deep breath... breeth) Ok... I'm good.

Please don't spout this kind of nonsense unless you are actually trolling in which case you are breaking the forum rules.

There is absolutely no basis to come to the conclusion that heat mats causes protozo to flourish. This is the first I've ever heard of this and should not be repeated to a new keeper... at least with out a decent explanation. Heat mats... when properly used... are one of the best sources of heat for chelonians.

Quote:

Originally Posted by red foot marg

i would up the day time temp a little , whats he like the rest of the time , does he eat ok etc , i also would not recomend heat mats they encourage protozoa to flurish .

EJ · 12-01-2011, 07:24 PM

Can you post the link to the thread?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamK

i've got a few pictures on another thread showing my viv.. Unfortunately, i'd have to cut through the mesh in the top of my viv to lower the lamp? Is their any other way?

AdamK · 12-01-2011, 07:27 PM

i've had him about a month now.. Yes he has a little water dish. He doesn't have any fruit, which do you recommend for him? How come some people are saying he needs to be warmer 34,35 then others are saying he doesn't need a heat mat at them temps? Confusing? What temps does a tunisian tortoise need to be under during day and night?

12-01-2011, 07:03 PM	#11
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	Upping the temperatures is a good suggestion. I'd suggest staying with the heat mat because that is the best way to heat a tortoise. Make sure the tortoise has the option to leave the mat. Does the mat have a rheostat (not a thermostat)? What have you been feeding the tortoise? What kind of substrate are you using? Have you seen the tortoise passing anything recently? __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

12-01-2011, 07:12 PM	#15
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	You can lower the lamp a little to up your temps, about 34-35 __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

12-01-2011, 07:04 PM	#12
AdamK Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 52	In the day the temps are around 31 in heat spot at night drop to around 19 i think.. He usually does it after hes been bathed.. Hes kept on Prorep Tortoise Life soil substrate?? Once i thought he was drowning because he kept his head under the water for so long lifted him out and he opened wide and gasped then.. Ever since he seems to struggle with it.. The water wasnt too deep it seemed he just chose to have his head under? He's never been checked for worms mate.. Hes around 4 months old?

12-01-2011, 07:06 PM	#13
AdamK Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 52	How can i up my temperatures? All i have is a heat lamp and a seperate uv lamp?? i've been feeding him mainly Romain lettuce also some dandelions out of the garden but not for a while.. Some fruit and flower komodo pellets.. and abit of kale now and again??

12-01-2011, 07:09 PM	#14
NATURALIS Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: cheshire Posts: 3,472	i would up the day time temp a little , whats he like the rest of the time , does he eat ok etc , i also would not recomend heat mats they encourage protozoa to flurish .

12-01-2011, 07:17 PM	#16
AdamK Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 52	i've got a few pictures on another thread showing my viv.. Unfortunately, i'd have to cut through the mesh in the top of my viv to lower the lamp? Is their any other way?

12-01-2011, 07:27 PM	#20
AdamK Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 52	i've had him about a month now.. Yes he has a little water dish. He doesn't have any fruit, which do you recommend for him? How come some people are saying he needs to be warmer 34,35 then others are saying he doesn't need a heat mat at them temps? Confusing? What temps does a tunisian tortoise need to be under during day and night?

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