Hi

Has anyone experienced their tort having a brown stain on the tongue?

Regards

Jane

I haven't, Jane, but maybe someone with longer experience can come in on that. My first thought would be that perhaps the tortoise has eaten something that has stained the tongue. Has it eaten anything different lately?

Nina

Hi Nina

I have introduced plantain and clover now, with her dandelion? so maybe it could be that, her tongue looks pink and healthy other than that.

Regards

Jane

I don't think plantain or clover would discolour the tongue like that. Anyone else have any ideas? How long has it been like that?

Nina

Sorry folks, had a look this morning and it has gone!! oh dear my little tort does make me panic, cannot guess what may have caused it??

Thanks anyway

Jane

I'm glad your tortoise is OK this morning! It probably was something she ate (even her own poo -- they do do that sometimes) -- and don't worry, we all panic when something like this happens.

Nina

Hi Jane,

It's undoubtedly the dandelions. A remedy is to increase the water intake. Add a high water-based food to their diet e.g. romaine lettuce, cucumber. It usually clears up pretty quickly.

HTH
Darren

Thanks everyone it's nice to know there are others out there who has had their hearts stolen by their tort

Regards

Jane

Hi darren

I ahve been having problems with keya not drinking and getting abit dehydrated, will take advice thanks

Jane

Hi Jane,

Are her urates(the white stuff she passes when she wees)OK - Creamy?

If you're concerned about her not drinking mix a little cucumber or Romaine Lettuce with her food.

The important thing is her urates aren't gritty.
If she passes water when in the bath, this is a sign she is indeed taking on a fresh supply of water.

TC
Darren

Hi Darren

Her urates are back to normal but we have had a couple of occasions when it was gritty, plus a vey very tiny stone once, not seen that again. Not sure why she has stopped drinking from her water dish as she has always been really good in the past, I was only alerted whethis happened about a month ago. Started to put her opuntia in her water bowl so she would have to take a gulp of water, but I have to be on the case with her all the time

Regards

Jane

hi i agree it would say a brown stain could well be caused by dandelion also it can colour the urine if feed in excess .pleased to hear you have intrduced plantain into the diet but think you should be cautious with the clover it is excellent graze for adult tortoises but is very high in protien and should be limited in youngsters as it can cause pyramidding if fed in any quantity,personally i dont feed it to my hatchlings at all and only my older tortoises have access in graze.

                                                                          terry

Hi Terry

Just back from hols so sorry for delay in replying. Thanks for advice about clover, did not know that it was high in protein!! Keya (My tort) loves it, luckily I haven't been giving her too much, and I will not give her any more as her skutes are abit raised as it is and I am trying to rectify that. We certainly don't need added complications.

Regards

Jane