SPECIAL PROBLEMS OF TERRAPINS AND PET TORTOISES
General information
Tortoises and terrapins have several unique problems; understanding these
problems will allow you to better care for your pet and minimize future health
care problems.
Cystic calculi
Commonly called bladder stones, these occur when minerals from the diet form
crystals which then form stones. Usually these are composed of uric acid, which
usually results from a diet that contains too much protein (such as a diet high
in dog food or cat food).
You may detect blood in your tortoise or terrapins droppings if a stone is
present. An examination and radiographs (X-rays) allow your veterinary surgeon
to correctly diagnosis the problem. Surgical removal of the stones is needed,
as is fluid therapy to prevent kidney damage. Your veterinary surgeon will discuss
dietary correction in an attempt to prevent future stones from forming.
Salmonella
Terrapins are infamous for carrying Salmonella bacteria. This bacterium
can cause severe gastrointestinal disease or septicemia (blood poisoning). Many
animals and people carry the bacteria without showing any clinical signs, yet
shed the bacteria in their feces which can infect others.
During the mid-1970s, it was discovered that many young children contracted
the disease from their pet terrapins. Many of these children didn't exercise
proper hygiene (such as washing their hands after handling the animal and even
placing them in their mouths!).
Prevention, through proper hygiene, is the best way to control the disease.
Since most tortoises which carry Salmonella are not ill, they usually
require no treatment (treatment often fails to kill the bacterium anyway).
Hibernation
If given the opportunity, most tortoises will attempt to hibernate. Terrapins
on the other hand generally don't need to hibernate. Hibernation requires careful
preparation. Only tortoises that are in good health should be allowed to
hibernate, so a thorough examination and appropriate laboratory tests are essential
prior to hibernation! Your veterinary surgeon will assess whether your tortoise
has gained enough weight over the summer to allow a successful hibernation.
During hibernation the tortoise should be kept in a cool environment at around
5-10°C and examined from time to time without allowing its temperature to rise.
After waking from hibernation several problems can occur from mouth rot (necrotic
stomatitis) to runny nose (upper respiratory tract infection). Some owners prefer,
for these reasons, not to hibernate their tortoise but to keep them in a controlled
warm indoor environment over the winter. This is a quite acceptable alternative
as long as the environment is appropriate. All this discussion underlines the
importance of good care for these animals and the effort that must be put in
to keeping a tortoise or terrapin healthy and, dare one say, happy!
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