Egg binding occurs when a gravid tortoise can’t lay her eggs. So, the eggs remain uncomfortably trapped inside the body, with potentially life-threatening consequences. The eggs can lacerate bodily tissue, […]
Health
Why Tortoises Get Sepsis (And How It’s Treated)
A healthy tortoise’s immune system will naturally fight off many harmful pathogens, but septicemia becomes more likely when germs multiply and spread unchecked. Septicemia and sepsis are often used interchangeably […]
Irregular Scutes on Tortoises [5 Different Problems]
A tortoise’s most iconic feature is its scutes. Aside from aesthetics, scutes are important for a tortoise’s health and well-being. Unfortunately, different ailments can adversely affect the scutes. All tortoise […]
Can A Tortoise Survive Without Its Shell?
Tortoises have a hard outer shell, not just scales like most reptiles. They’re born with shells that increase in size to accommodate their age-related growth and physical development. No, a […]
How To Tell If A Tortoise Has Worms
Every tortoise carries worms. However, if a tortoise’s natural immunity is compromised by stress, hibernation, or sickness, internal parasites like worms could adversely affect its health. You can tell if […]
Can A Tortoise Get Constipated? [My Tortoise Isn’t Pooping]
Tortoises don’t poop as much as other animals, but they can still get constipated. Tortoises that can’t poop will become lethargic and disinterested in food, appearing stressed and uncomfortable. Tortoises […]
Treating Respiratory Infections in Tortoises [Vet + Home Aftercare]
If ignored or left untreated, respiratory infections can be life-threatening because tortoises lack a diaphragm, meaning the chest and abdomen aren’t separated. The tortoise can’t cough up mucus, so it […]
7 Common Signs of Impaction in Tortoises
Fecal impaction is often used interchangeably with bowel obstruction (intestinal obstruction). An intestinal obstruction refers to a blockage caused by foreign objects (pebbles, substrate, hair, etc.), while impaction only refers […]
How To Treat Mouth Rot in Tortoises (Infectious Stomatitis)
Tortoises have naturally occurring bacteria in their mouths, manifesting as mouth rot when the immune system ceases to function efficiently, commonly due to ongoing stress. An infection (usually bacteria, but […]