Tortoises – Husbandry-Related Diseases

European tortoises are becoming increasingly popular as pets and thus also as patients in small animal practices. The majority of diseases in tortoises are husbandry and/or feeding-related. It is all the more important to optimize husbandry and feeding.

European Tortoises

The tortoises we keep most often are:

• Greek tortoise (Testudo hermanni)
• Moorish tortoise (Testudo graeca)
• Marginated tortoise (Testudo marginata)
• Four-toed tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii)

Depending on the species, the natural range extends around the Mediterranean Sea and northern Africa to southwestern Asia.

Attitude

When keeping these animals, the aim must be to come as close as possible to their natural habitat. Therefore, the natural free range is a must when keeping European tortoises. Temporary terrarium keeping is only conceivable for sick animals.
The tortoises should be kept in large outdoor enclosures all year round. These are structured based on the natural habitat with plants, stones, etc. A heated cold frame or greenhouse is also a must so that the animals can also live actively in spring and autumn, because cold-blooded animals are directly dependent on the outside temperature.

Feeding

When planting the enclosure, as many forage plants as possible should be selected. The tortoises can then take care of themselves according to the type of plant and quantity. As very good fodder plants are z. B. dandelion, buckhorn, chickweed, sedum, deadnettle, hibiscus, and much more. . If the turtles can choose their own food, they always get a sufficient amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
The protein content of the feed ration for European Tortoises should not exceed 20%. However, since the plants have a high protein content in spring, in particular, hay must be used to compensate. Soaked hay cobs for horses have proven their worth here. Since the raw fiber content of the feed should be 20-30%, hay must always be available. Calcium and phosphorus are important minerals in the feed. The Ca:P ratio should never fall below 1.5:1. Ca be added in the form of cuttlefish or crushed egg shells. Vitamin D is essential for turtles. It is formed in the skin by UVB radiation from the sun. Therefore, when buying a cold frame, you should check UVB
permeability (glass filters UV radiation). Fresh drinking water must always be available to the animals.

Hibernation

All European tortoises hibernate at permanently lower temperatures below 12-15°. The possibility of hibernation must be given to keep the animals healthy from the first year of life. From September, the animals prepare for hibernation. When the length of the day and the brightness of the day decrease significantly, the animals eat less and less food and become increasingly inactive. Below 10° the tortoises stop eating and bury themselves in the shelter. It is possible to overwinter the animals in the cold frame or in a separate refrigerator. The hibernation temperatures are 4-6°. Around April, the animals end their hibernation. If they hibernate correctly, the tortoises hardly lose any weight.

Postural Diseases

Unfortunately, in practice we often see tortoises suffering from diseases that are directly related to housing and/or feeding:

• MBD (metabolic bone disease)

This is a symptom complex. Caused by various causes, the typical symptoms of the disease appear as the soft carapace, carapace deformation, hump formation, lithophagy, and difficulty laying.

• Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D causes calcium to be stored in the bones. Vitamin D is also synthesized by reptiles themselves under UV radiation. When kept purely in terrariums, there is often a lack of UV light, or the wrong lamps are installed. In addition, the UV lamps must be replaced at regular intervals (1/2-1 x yearly), since the UV radiation from the lamps decreases over time.

• calcium deficiency

Incorrect feeding (wrong Ca:P ratio) leads to Ca deficiency and Ca degradation from the bones (nutrition-related secondary hyperparathyroidism). Rickets or osteomalacia develop.

Excessive energy and protein intake and a lack of hibernation promote the development of metabolic bone diseases.

Insufficient mineralization of the armor sometimes causes massive deformations. The animals can no longer move. Feeding is no longer possible due to soft branches of the lower jaw. Laying difficulties can occur in female animals.

The diagnosis is easy to make on the basis of the previous report and the often clear symptoms. The bone structure appears spongy in the X-ray image. The blood Ca value is often in the lower normal range.

UV radiation with a suitable lamp (e.g. Osram Vitalux twice a day for 20 minutes) is very important. In addition, vitamin D should be given. A change of feed and a dose of Ca per os are also important. In general, the attitude must be reconsidered.

Depending on the stage of the disease, the prognosis is good to poor.

• nephropathies

Kidney disease is common in tortoises. Various factors can be considered as the cause, with malnutrition and generally poor posture playing a major role.

• gout

When the uric acid level increases, uric acid deposits occur in the organs and joints. A lack of water and an excessive intake of protein from the feed are the primary causes of uricemia.

• hexameter

Hexamites are flagellated parasites that multiply massively under suboptimal keeping conditions, infect the kidneys, and can lead to nephritis.
Clinic: The symptoms are very unspecific. Loss of appetite, emaciation, apathy, joint swelling, edema, urinary changes, urinary stasis, and enophthalmos may be observed.
Diagnosis: A suspected diagnosis can be made on the basis of the previous report (feeding of protein-rich food, lack of water). Elevated levels of uric acid and phosphorus are not always present in the blood. A Ca:P ratio <1 is important. Hexamites can be detected in urine.
Therapy: Fluid is supplied via subcutaneous injections and daily baths in lukewarm water. Low-protein feeding must be ensured. If uric acid levels are elevated, allopurinol should be given. Here, too, posture must be optimized.

In conclusion, it remains to be said that when treating European tortoises, the housing conditions must always be carefully scrutinized. Without optimizing the patient’s posture, lasting recovery is hardly possible.