Health Issues

One of the most common health issues in tortoises is Salmonella. Salmomella is a disease that can be transferred to humans, and if your Tortoise has it, he/she will not show any symptoms. To protect yourself and your Tortoise, when coming in contact with your Tortoise, wear powder free, latex free gloves. After you are done handling your Tortoise, throw the gloves away and do not reuse. Thouroughly wash your hands. Other common health issues are:

• Ticks and Mites - Symptoms: Parasites on the tortoise's skin. Can transmit disease to humans.
• Gastro-Intestinal Disease - Symptoms: Runny stools, caked or smeared stool around the vent area, loss of appetite; can be caused by bacterial or parasitic infection.
• Respiratory Disease - Symptoms: Labored breathing and/or runny nose. Can be caused by habitat being too damp or cold, or caused by an infectious disease.
• Metabolic Bone/Vitamin Deficiency - Caused by the Tortoise unable to absorb calcium due to insufficient UVB light. If this goes untreated, it can lead to a disorder characterized by deformities and softend bones. Lethargy and swollen limbs.