My tortoise has diarrhoea

[Jadeo09]

Originally Posted by CherryBrandy

Jade, , not a criticism at all as we can see you have established the facts, but Vikki is saying similar I think in that if the right food is being fed to a healthy tortoise in the right environment then she shouldn't have runny poops. The key word here is 'healthy tortoise', so this is not a criticism about you as a keeper it is a fact that something is a little amiss.
Now it maybe little Star tort has a delicate tummy on some days, and like all of us maybe just some foods don't agree with her (long time in gut passing through). She may be stressed as in its causing her anxiety, not feeling too good etc. She also eats her poops as we know - this can't help when flushing through her system and could be the cause of course.

the syndrome isn't an illness in itself but a combination of symptoms - and (extracted ) 'collection of signs and symptoms occurs in combination more frequently than would be likely by chance alone'. And I think this is what you are saying. I agree with Rach, some good advice there. take care

cb

I'm sure you don't seem to be critisisng me because you have been very helpful to me with the pre alpin advice.
You can feed a tortoise perfectly in the perfect environment and like humans still get poorly.
I have ruled out the diet. As there is not a pattern between the lettuce feeding as the has it when there are months without it. And my specialist vet told me my setup is fine and I feel sorry I have to explain this over and over and people don't understand as the experts have but. As you said she may have something wrong with her tummy.
I'm doing this for her i f I take away the lettuce it still doesn't help so I'm back to square one. Plus I have tried this in the months she has weeds ect
But coming here was a mistake because its done more stress than good. I would rather ask experts at hey remain professional rather than rude. As I said I like you and you have tried to help so no criticism to you.
But I won't be bossed into doing something counterproductive because I know what's best for her because I have been doing it for 6 years and know tpwhen her poos are best.
Thanks for your help I appreciate it.
Star tortoises are the shyest tortoise species I have heard so it may be anxiety.
Anything that I could do to make her feel safer?

[CherryBrandy]

thanks Jade, everyone will have your best interests at heart and clearly you are very watchful and worried and so good on you coming on the shelled warriors site and asking questions. You can be relaxed here , people are trying to help but we all get a bit worried too about yours and other torts and sometimes its hard to know whats happening without asking intrusive questions. I wish there were more Star owners who could advise too. I think Rach had some good insight . my only thought is I know you have bought some pre alpin and see how that goes. if it were me I would keep her in her own enclosure for a while and not let her out and about , always seems good but they can stress with it, especially as you say they are pretty shy so lots of hiding areas - again its a bit process of elimination with all that's been said. Im sure it will sort itself out. cb

[vikki]

my post also states health and correct conditions - perhaps if you are sure the diet is correct that you need to take a look at these factors.

[emma_mcraf]

Hi Jade,
I wonder whether it's worth running a full faecal count on your tortoise to see whether there's any protozoa that could be causing the diarrhoea. I know our local labs won't necessarily run tests for other problems if they're sent a sample just for worming. It might be worth doing as a process of elimination.

[vikki]

you can use these people - www.palsvetlab.co.uk
They offer a full faecal screen for tortoises.

[Jadeo09]

Originally Posted by CherryBrandy

thanks Jade, everyone will have your best interests at heart and clearly you are very watchful and worried and so good on you coming on the shelled warriors site and asking questions. You can be relaxed here , people are trying to help but we all get a bit worried too about yours and other torts and sometimes its hard to know whats happening without asking intrusive questions. I wish there were more Star owners who could advise too. I think Rach had some good insight . my only thought is I know you have bought some pre alpin and see how that goes. if it were me I would keep her in her own enclosure for a while and not let her out and about , always seems good but they can stress with it, especially as you say they are pretty shy so lots of hiding areas - again its a bit process of elimination with all that's been said. Im sure it will sort itself out. cb

Hi
I understand its frustrating when people want to help peoples tortoises but having your attitude helps people rather than some people are rude and push people who want help away it's not helpful to the tortoise as much as they may mean to.
I am an animal rights activist and a vegetarian from the age of 5 as I love all animals.
I'm doing my best for her and I won't stop doing something that is the best thing that has worked for her. I'll let you know how the alpine goes.
Torts are mostly solitary in the wild my vet told me and cope better on their own. So I have only one tortoise.
Thanks for your help.

[Jadeo09]

Originally Posted by vikki

my post also states health and correct conditions - perhaps if you are sure the diet is correct that you need to take a look at these factors.

Thanks its her health then because my specialist vet says her conditions are fine.

[Jadeo09]

Also
I take her to see Aidan in Manchester he's amazing and does the fecal screen I've no doubt he's checked her feces for everything but I will ask on her annual check up which is in the next few months. He is very thorough and usually I ask for an xray to be on the safe side .
I do try my best to make sure she's healthy. Maybe the pre alpin will help improve the situation. Dried weeds contain 16%-20% crude fibre and pre alpin herbs contains 27.8% so its a definite improvement
I'll still be mixing the Timothy hay with it though because Timothy hay is 32%
Hopefully my vet can tell me the actual cause though.
Thanks for the help.
I'll keep you posted .