Swollen Russian Tortoise

swollen tortoise

swollen tortoise

My tortoise, Boris, has swelling of his body between his head and his legs. I feed him a varied diet of spring mix every day,and on occasion, carrots, broccoli, pellets, and timothy hay. He also gets Calcium supplements. His enclosure has a heat lamp and is from 75-85 degrees at any time of day. He also has a UVB/UVA light that I keep on constantly, and he is perfectly active. I'll upload a picture pointing out where he is swollen. What could be wrong with him?

Comments for Swollen Russian Tortoise

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Mar 24, 2014
 Broccoli Leaves are OK
by: Anonymous

Actually, a vet told me broccoli leaves were a fine addition to our Russian tortoise's diet. Not the crowns, but the leaves on the stalks.
Jul 25, 2012
 FATTY
by: Anonymous

Sounds like you over feed him. They eat all day everyday, but it doesnt mean its good for them. I fed my 11 torts 2 times a week with very little fruit.
Apr 09, 2011
 results
by: Anonymous

I learned that he was perfectly fine, since he wasn't retaining fluids and there was no other symptoms, and after the vet took a look at him, he said that it's just a way to increase their smell of the surrounding area. They increase the air flow pass the olfactory bulb and as a result, they look puffy. This could be because I mostly had him with me at college and he never experienced my house before so there are new and interesting smells there.
Apr 09, 2011
 tortoise swollen body?
by: Anonymous

How is your tortoise doing now? what was causing the swollen body?
Feb 25, 2011
 May be fluid retention from bladder stone???
by: Anonymous

If you do not know if he has gone to the bathroom recently he may have a blockage and is retaining fluids. Unfortunately only a vet can see if he has a bladder stone with an x-ray. If he does and it is large you could loose him from this very serious problem. Please find a vet and get him checked out ASAP.
Feb 19, 2011
 Reply
by: Anonymous

I do soak him and I do have a water dish in his enclosure, I only give him a few broccoli leaves on occasion. I don't know what it was but the swelling went down and now he's back to normal, but I'm still worried that it may happen again. I am at college right now and have no access to a vet.
Feb 19, 2011
 Russian Tortoises
by: Anonymous

Your feeding him to much to often, he just looks over weight to me. They only need to be fed 3 to 4 times a week at the most and Broccoli is not good for their diet. Please research on the net their proper diet and know that they need a water dish in their enclosure as well as a soaking in a shallow container 3 times a week in luke warm water to help their body remove their waste and absorb water as well. If he is sick in any other way get him to a vet please...
Feb 18, 2011
 SWOLLEN TORTOISE
by: Anonymous

I THINK I WOULD GET HIM TO A VET RIGHT AWAY.

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