80 yr old Hermann

Stellanne · 31-08-2013, 09:52 PM

I have recently rehomed an older tort. I have concerns.,,,,
Firstly she has always lived in a small pen on grass...
Secondly... Her front claws have worn down to 'stubs' and therefore she cannot grip much to move. How do I help her?
When I leave her on a soil substrate she just moves her legs on the same spot.... When I put her on my lawn she moves around and eats.
She does not lift up onto her legs, but creeps about. How can I help her? X Stella x x

lonelylayla · 31-08-2013, 10:16 PM

Oh. that is really sad

Presumably she needs a substrate that she can grip - would a coir mix help, or maybe even artificial turf? Maybe not ideal but she needs to move. Sure there will be lots of other suggestions coming along.

becciwales · 31-08-2013, 11:47 PM

If she's lived to 80 on a lawn could she not stay like that if she's happy and healthy? Just a question as I don't know the answer. Hope someone can help xx

burnt toast · 31-08-2013, 11:59 PM

What a shame. I would think a check up at a good reptile vets would be a good first port of call. Wonder how she wore her claws away on grass?

First thoughts are MBD but they can also not use their back legs/ bear weight for a number of other reasons, bladder stones/eggs spring to mind. Im not an expert but would think an x-ray would be a good place to start. In the mean time plenty of warm baths. Would love to see a picture of her & your torty home - sounds lovely

**egyptiandan64** · 01-09-2013, 12:04 AM

I agree with Lynn

It shouldn't matter whether a tortoise has claws or not in whether they can walk well or not. Could also add that she could be calcium deficient (muscles don't work well without it

) or have gout. But as Lynn said an x-ray is a good place to start.

Danny

becciwales · 01-09-2013, 12:12 AM

Hope she's ok!! x

Suze65 · 01-09-2013, 08:05 AM

I agree with Lynn and Dan. A trip to the vet and maybe an X-ray, just another thought, I wonder if Dan would agree with this, could she possibly be arthritic as she so old, and maybe a pain killer would help.

sandy · 01-09-2013, 08:34 AM

You could try putting some larger stones/pebbles around, a bit like stepping stones. To see if this helps her get around. As she has learnt to use grass to grip on. Where as soil is better for her, but she has no grip to help her move.
I wonder if her nails will grow back again in time?

emma_mcraf · 01-09-2013, 08:47 AM

The poor old girl. Please let us know how you get on at the vets.

burnt toast · 01-09-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mediterraneansuze

I agree with Lynn and Dan. A trip to the vet and maybe an X-ray, just another thought, I wonder if Dan would agree with this, could she possibly be arthritic as she so old, and maybe a pain killer would help.

I have a couple of Hermans this age Suze & they get around fine, so doubt it would be arthritis, caused by age, as in humans. I guess a diagnosis is whats needed first. Blossom my Margie who has MBD was prescribed Metacam as an anti-inflammatory pain killer to encourage her to move.

If the vet does prescribe this make sure you bath her lots as it can be tough on her kidneys if not.

31-08-2013, 09:52 PM	#1
Stellanne Member Hatchling Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 686	80 yr old Hermann I have recently rehomed an older tort. I have concerns.,,,, Firstly she has always lived in a small pen on grass... Secondly... Her front claws have worn down to 'stubs' and therefore she cannot grip much to move. How do I help her? When I leave her on a soil substrate she just moves her legs on the same spot.... When I put her on my lawn she moves around and eats. She does not lift up onto her legs, but creeps about. How can I help her? X Stella x x

31-08-2013, 10:16 PM	#2
lonelylayla Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Ammanford, South Wales Posts: 1,481	Oh. that is really sad Presumably she needs a substrate that she can grip - would a coir mix help, or maybe even artificial turf? Maybe not ideal but she needs to move. Sure there will be lots of other suggestions coming along. __________________ Lynne TG Terresteris 1:3:1 Apollo & Layla, Santa, Helpa & Unig TG Iberia 2:3:0 Tonka, LJ, Persephone, Cleo & Clyde Saffron TGG RIP Jaunary 2019 Jasper, Harry & Ruby pussy cats 4 ex bat hens.

31-08-2013, 11:47 PM	#3
becciwales Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Wales Posts: 3,438	If she's lived to 80 on a lawn could she not stay like that if she's happy and healthy? Just a question as I don't know the answer. Hope someone can help xx __________________ Becci 1:2:0 Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri - Darwin, Galileo, and Einstein. Archimedes (THB) RIP June, 2018

01-09-2013, 12:04 AM	#5
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	I agree with Lynn It shouldn't matter whether a tortoise has claws or not in whether they can walk well or not. Could also add that she could be calcium deficient (muscles don't work well without it ) or have gout. But as Lynn said an x-ray is a good place to start. Danny __________________ Last edited by egyptiandan64; 01-09-2013 at 12:14 AM.

01-09-2013, 12:12 AM	#6
becciwales Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Wales Posts: 3,438	Hope she's ok!! x __________________ Becci 1:2:0 Testudo Hermanni Boettgeri - Darwin, Galileo, and Einstein. Archimedes (THB) RIP June, 2018

31-08-2013, 11:59 PM	#4
burnt toast Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,246	What a shame. I would think a check up at a good reptile vets would be a good first port of call. Wonder how she wore her claws away on grass? First thoughts are MBD but they can also not use their back legs/ bear weight for a number of other reasons, bladder stones/eggs spring to mind. Im not an expert but would think an x-ray would be a good place to start. In the mean time plenty of warm baths. Would love to see a picture of her & your torty home - sounds lovely

01-09-2013, 08:05 AM	#7
Suze65 Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 6,769	I agree with Lynn and Dan. A trip to the vet and maybe an X-ray, just another thought, I wonder if Dan would agree with this, could she possibly be arthritic as she so old, and maybe a pain killer would help. __________________ Suze. 3 THB, Sammy, Jemima, & Phoebe 7 Marginated, Tabitha, Ptolome, Tatiana, Noah,Lottey, Lulu & Poppy 1 TGG (Emma) RIP Feb 2012

01-09-2013, 08:34 AM	#8
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	You could try putting some larger stones/pebbles around, a bit like stepping stones. To see if this helps her get around. As she has learnt to use grass to grip on. Where as soil is better for her, but she has no grip to help her move. I wonder if her nails will grow back again in time? __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

01-09-2013, 08:47 AM	#9
emma_mcraf Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 11,365	The poor old girl. Please let us know how you get on at the vets. __________________ Emma Testudo Hermanni 5.12.2:Theo, Tamara, Tabitha, Harriet, Isabelle, Clara, Oscar, Hugo, Oliver, Florence, Arabella, Esmé, Aurelia, Felicia, Claudia, Atticus, Celestia, Amaris, Tristan and Clementine Budgies: Jasper, Ivo, Otis, Henry, Louie and Luca Doggies: 1.1.0 Chester and Lottie

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