My 55 year old tortoise is poorly!

[mytortoiseisill]

apparently "tortie" has a parasite and if s/he doesn't start eating dandelions again in 5 days has to go to the vet for blood tests.

I didn't even realise tortie had blood in him/her.

Seriously though - how long do tortoises live? Is this old age? Am very fond of tortie (as was childhood pet) but I don't believe in prolonging animal lives unnecessarily.....

What kind of parasite? Where did S/he pick it up from?
Do they not have regular treatments like other pets have wormers etc?

Poor Tortie. I hope they perk up, I saw one on the Yorkshire vet show & they were worried about that one not eating, happily it did okay. I hope Tortie will be okay too

no idea!
I think tortie's first ever trip to the vets was last week.
we always thought tortie was a boy till a boy tortoise came to visit once when I was a teenager.... tortie has not be a high-maintenance animal, even taking himself off to hibernate under the hedge each year then reemerging in April....

You urgently need to get your tortoise to a vet that knows about reptiles!! What you wrote makes no sense at all. I'm not having a go at you - your vet is either clueless or abysmal at explaining their conclusions.

(1) What made you take him to the vet in the first place, i.e. what symptoms was he showing?
(2) How did the vet determine he had "a parasite"...? Via a fecal sample/smear?
(3) What treatment is he on?

I've been keeping and breeding tortoises for decades and this post is really upsetting

Whatever is wrong with Tortie it won't be down to old age at only 55. Tortoises can live for over 100 yrs with appropriate care.

Ok.
This is tortie’s first illness so all a bit new.

I get that and if you can answer those questions, I can advise you how to give him his best chance of getting better

arav.org/ Use this site to find a proper Herp Vet. I.e. one that specialises in tortoises

'Herp veterinarians are different from other veterinarians in that they specifically sought out additional training to learn far more about reptile and amphibian medicine than is covered in the usual veterinary school curriculum'.

Our tortoise is in his 80's & some of them easily pass 100. Hope you find someone to help x

I’m staggering that Tortie hibernates under the hedge each year, did you never watch blue Peter? I thought everyone put their tortoise in a box!

Is tortie off their food altogether? Did your tort have a worm count done? Do you worm every 4 months or before hibernation? What kind of parasite? I have so many questions. If they're poorly, they need treating ASAP, illness can take hold so quickly in a tort. I think you really need a second opinion.

@Backtobacktheyfacedeachother

I’m staggering that Tortie hibernates under the hedge each year, did you never watch blue Peter? I thought everyone put their tortoise in a box!

Surprisingly, the hibernation method that was advocated by Blue Peter is FAR more dangerous and likely to result in a dead tortoise than a natural hibernation, even in somewhere as removed from the species' natural range as the UK. Basically, "putting the tortoise in a box" for hibernation but without proper temperature control and monitoring (and without ensuring that they've had a suitably long "wind-down" period to prevent food fermenting in their gut...which being outdoors and naturally gradually cooling down will do) is asking for a fatality. They need to be above freezing (for obvious reasons) but also below 10C (preferably 5C) to minimise weight loss.

If they're outside, somewhere with loose, well drained soil, with cover from the rain, and where they can dig down as they feel it getting colder and back up again when it starts to warm, is infinitely better than being stuck in a box in a shed or (as used to be advised) and airing cupboard.

But the natural method is still really risky and I don't recommend it. Rats and freezing being the most likely causes of harm/death. Mine hibernate in a independently controlled (and hi/low alarmed) fridge

Urghh! Wish there was an edit button...

in a shed or (as used to be advised) an airing cupboard

in an independently controlled

Hope he's ok, op.

@mytortoiseisill
No tortoise is suited to a UK climate. It's highly likely that he's unwell after years of poor husbandry. Has a parasite definitely been diagnosed? Any test results? Definitely see a reptile vet.

Greek tortoises live upwards of 125 years so it's unlikely to be age related
Here's some husbandry advice

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/Downloads/Takingcareeofpetttortoises_web.pdf

The tortoise trust is a great resource

How is he today, op?

My sister has a special fridge to hibernate her (inherited) tortoise. Also various sun lamps etc. There's a whole routine she goes through before hibernating him. She's a member of various online tortoise groups. Looking after a tortoise isn't straightforward.

I hope yours is better soon, OP.

I don’t even have a tortoise and find this upsetting. You seem to have either gone to a vet who has no idea about reptiles or you didn’t bother to listen and your poor tortoise struck out with you as an owner.

Firstly ensure the vet you take it to is well versed in herpetology. That’s your first obligation as a responsible pet owner.

The second obligation is to listen to the vet. What parasite do they have? How did they come to get this? Will the Dandelions fix it (??), how so? What will they be looking for with the bloodwork? What’s the treatment/prognosis? If you have a pet these are basics when you go to a vet. If you don’t understand ask them to explain it again so you do understand.

Maybe round it all off with learning some basic animal facts, and most particularly facts related to animal husbandry for tortoises. To think a tortoise does not have blood is strange. Animals have blood.

Yes we noticed all the Blue-Peter- obeyors are now ex tortoise owners whereas tortie has thrived till this year..
Dad used to put a bit of insulation over the hole if it was a cold April.
Tortie lives in Dorset - it’s a local heat-trap. Tortie has good summers and by far the main concern is usually escape.

Tortie doesn’t live with me but I will visit this afternoon.

I’m quite shocked by the pictures of tortoises in small enclosures on that link.....

However, the dandelions are a real issue.
Tortie has lived happily on dandelions with the odd cucumber, etc, left over from lunch. but because of climate change plus parent becoming too frail to sweep away pine needles from the lawn, tortie has been eating more human food this year -the fact he is also now experiencing his first illness is surely not coincidence......

I love how there are experts on everything on Mumsnet! S interesting to read.

I hope tortie is OK OP. 🐢

To think a tortoise does not have blood is strange. Animals have blood. I don't think OP was being serious. It also appears to be her parents' pet, so I think you're being unfair.

@CobraChicken
That is really interesting you should do an AMA

I understand it is highly regulated these days

I had two as a child

Thoughts on the dandelion-drought hypothesis would be very welcome.....

Symptoms were reduced appetite and reduced movement.
This is usually tortie’s speediest month.

@mytortoiseisill

I’m quite shocked by the pictures of tortoises in small enclosures on that link.....

However, the dandelions are a real issue.
Tortie has lived happily on dandelions with the odd cucumber, etc, left over from lunch. but because of climate change plus parent becoming too frail to sweep away pine needles from the lawn, tortie has been eating more human food this year -the fact he is also now experiencing his first illness is surely not coincidence......

@mytortoiseisill maybe the pine needles are the issue? The highly scented needles of the Pine contain tannins, making them quite bitter to the taste, and the whole tree contains a volatile oil which can cause mouth, throat and stomach irritation if ingested, so it isn't one to have in an area where tortoises might nibble on fallen needles. www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=845&c=4#.YSqD6C14WhA

@CobraChicken -I did make the blue Peter post in jest but thank you for all the info, it’s fascinating. I mean that genuinely. You say you’ve been keeping T’s for decades, how old were you when you first became an owner? I know they are hugely expensive, are they difficult to breed?
I’m amazed your have a fridge to hibernate in, do they all wake up together? How many do you have? Will you leave a will on who they will go to -sorry but I know they live for years & years so are likely to outlive you. I saw some huge ones when I was in Corfu, there were loads, all squashed in together in this little walled border inside the restaurant & just had veg chucked in there, they were all sort of sat on each other & it look quite unpleasant poor things.

That’s interesting about the needles.....

Vet apparently just dewormed and microchipped

Tortie had bedded in when I got there in mid-afternoon, but in a different place to yesterday which is good.
At least he’s moving!