Common Health Problems with Russian Tortoises

Russian tortoises are great beginner pet tortoises, as they are healthy and hardy creatures. These tortoises are relatively small in regards to other tortoises that are in the pet market.

The most important thing that you can do to keep a tortoise healthy, is to ensure that you are providing a proper enclosure and diet. By keeping the temperature, humidity, and overall enclosure at the basic requirements, you can easily keep a healthy, happy tortoise.

What you want to do, is to make sure that you do proper research so that you can provide proper care for a Russian tortoise. If you aren't able to support a pet tortoise, you may want to consider a different type of pet. Otherwise, if you have the time and space for a pet Russian tortoise, you'll want to make sure that you are knowledgeable about about the care and illnesses of the pet.

It's very important that you are aware of what illnesses Russian tortoises may contract or develop. It's important that you keep an eye on your tortoise, because any changes in appetite, behaviors, or overall routine may indicate an illness is developing.

The most common health problems that a Russian tortoise may succumb are very minor. They may cuts and abrasions; long toenails; and a chipped, cracked, or broken beak.

• Cuts should be cleaned with lukewarm water and non-scented, mild soap. If the wound starts to swell, you'll want to seek veterinary assistance.
• Toenails are typically short and stubby in the back and longer in the front, and should be kept at short lengths, but when housed on smooth surfaces, the nails can grow too long. You can trim the nails, but be careful of cutting the quick.

• If the beak cracks, becomes chipped, or breaks, it should rebuild itself over time, but you may want to consult your veterinarian if the beak is growing back abnormally. A tortoise beak will usually be worn away naturally by eating on a stone or flat rock, or by gnawing on a cuttle bone.
• Male tortoises are prone to penal prolapse, which you may able to treat at home, if the prolapse is minor, but severe prolapses will need veterinary help. For minor treatment at home, you'll need to soak the tortoise in a saline solution or lukewarm sugar water. Do not push the tissues back in place, but if they don't shrink, you'll need to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Tortoise Diseases and Ailments

Respiratory Infections- Respiratory illnesses are generally caused by bacteria, lower temperatures, and stress (causing lowered immune system). You may notice wheezing and sometimes a mucous discharge from the nose and/or mouth. If you wait till the tortoise is breathing out of its mouth, you're not in for good results. You need to seek veterinary assistance immediately. The tortoise will also need an antibiotic, which may be given through the nose or injections. If the tortoise has a respiratory illness, you'll want to bump the temperatures up in the enclosure to help boost the immune system. You'll also want to make sure that you keep it hydrated. If caught early, the tortoise should have a full recovery.

Shell Rot- Shell rot is an infectious disease that is generally caused by bacteria or fungus. In most cases, the bacteria or fungus will enter the body through a cut, scrape, or lesion on the shell. If not caught and treated early, shell rot can lead to septicemia (which is an infection of the bloodstream). You may notice shell rot in your tortoise if it has a white powdery, pitted, or flaking patches on the shell; if left untreated, the infection may eat away the shell.

External Parasites- External parasites include ticks, mites, and flies. If you notice any of these, you'll need to treat immediately as they can cause disease.

• Ticks are generally more of a problem with wild caught or imported tortoises. They will typically burrow into the upper legs, neck, and tail.

Ear Abscess

• Mites are rare, but can be picked up from other reptiles. Most mites will be black or red and about the size of a poppy seed. Mites can be hard to get rid of because they can be found in hard to get places. You'll want to find a safe and effective treatment to treat the tortoise and enclosure. Ivermectic is deadly, so don't use it.
• Flies are usually attracted to cuts and abrasions and will lay their eggs in the wound. For Russian tortoises that spend time outside, you'll want to check for cuts frequently, and use fly traps to prevent flies.

Internal Parasites- You'll find that worms and protozoa are two common endo-parasites that affect tortoises. Internal parasites are most common with wild caught and imported Russian tortoise, but captive tortoises may also have internal parasites, so it's always a good idea to have a fecal test on new tortoises.

• Roundworms are common to tortoises, and will usually cause diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and a lack of appetite. A vet can detect worms by a fecal exam, checking for eggs in the poo.
• Protozoa can include various bacteria, but in general, you'll find that they can cause diseases. Signs that your tortoise has protozoa include diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, dehydration, and lethargy.

Empty Gut Syndrome- When protozoans are treated, it can wipe out any good bacteria in the gut, which can cause food to not be properly digested. You'll notice undigested food in the poo. This is typically caused by an antibiotic.

Calcium Deficiency and Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)- Calcium is very important and if your Russian tortoise doesn't absorb enough calcium in the body, a deficiency can cause growth problems in the shell and bones. You may notice abnormal appearance in the shell and legs. By leaving a cuttlebone in the enclosure, you can reduce the risk of MBD.

Pyramidal Growth- Pyramiding is common when a tortoise receives too much protein, is over fed, has low enclosure humidity levels, inadequate hydration, or a calcium deficiency. Less severe pyramiding is common on ranch-raised tortoises and wild caught tortoises. There are two types of pyramiding- type 1 won't have any major appearance problems and type 2 is more severe where the scutes will raise an extreme amount and grow at abnormal differences.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed veterinarian. Consult a reptile veterinarian if you notice any abnormal behaviors in your tortoise so that you can have him checked out, diagnosed, and treated.