Tortoise health and hygiene: shell problems, runny noses and salmonella
TUREFF• •0
Tortoises hide illness well and change slowly, so problems can be well advanced before they are obvious. Regular checks, good husbandry and a vet experienced with reptiles are the best protection. This guide covers common warning signs and basic hygiene; it is general information, not a diagnosis.
Do a regular health check
Get into the habit of looking your tortoise over, and weighing it regularly, writing the results down. Look for:
- Eyes: clear and open, not swollen, sunken or crusty.
- Nose: dry, with no bubbles or discharge.
- Mouth and beak: clean, without discharge or an overgrown beak.
- Shell: hard, without soft patches, discharge, pitting or a bad smell.
- Skin and limbs: no swellings, wounds or parasites.
- Behaviour and appetite: alert, active when warm, and eating normally during its active season.
Shell problems
The shell is living tissue with bone and blood supply beneath it, not a dead casing. Problems to look out for:
- Soft or misshapen shell: often linked to a lack of UVB light or calcium, which can lead to metabolic bone disease.
- Uneven, lumpy growth: shell growth can become abnormal when diet, humidity or growth rate are not right, so a setup and diet review with a vet or tortoise welfare group is worth having.
- Shell rot or infection: soft, discoloured, smelly or flaking areas, sometimes with discharge. It can be bacterial or fungal and needs a vet; treatment may involve cleaning, removing damaged tissue and medication.
- Injuries: cracks from falls, dog bites or garden equipment need prompt veterinary care.
Eye and breathing problems
A runny nose, bubbles at the nostrils, swollen eyelids, discharge from the eyes, open-mouth breathing or stretching the neck to breathe can be signs of respiratory infection or other illness. These can spread to the lungs and become serious. Contact a reptile vet promptly rather than waiting.
Swollen eyes can also have other causes, including diet-related problems. Problems after hibernation, including eye damage from cold, also need attention.
Other warning signs
- not eating during the active season
- weight loss
- lethargy when it should be active
- abnormal droppings, or worms in droppings
- swellings, particularly around the ears
Salmonella and handwashing
Reptiles, including tortoises, can carry salmonella bacteria in their gut and droppings even when they look perfectly healthy. Simple hygiene keeps the risk low:
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching your tortoise, its enclosure, water, food bowls or anything inside.
- Supervise children's handwashing.
- Keep tortoises and their equipment out of the kitchen and away from food preparation areas.
- Do not clean tortoise equipment in the kitchen sink.
- Do not kiss or snuggle tortoises.
Public health agencies such as the US CDC advise that children under five, and people with weakened immune systems, avoid contact with reptiles altogether. This is not a reason to give up a tortoise, but it is a reason to be careful in households with young children.
Find a reptile vet before you need one
Not every practice treats reptiles. Find one experienced with tortoises, and arrange a health check soon after a new tortoise arrives, then at least once a year and before hibernation.
Has your tortoise had a health scare you could help others spot early, or do you have a question about something you have noticed? Share it in the comments.