Important
ALWAYS check with your vet or a well-known expert before following any advice, especially from unconfirmed sources. Every case is different.
💊 Medical Measures & Treatments
Deworming
- Don't deworm on a fixed schedule like some mammals — base it on evidence.
- Routine fecal testing every 6–12 months is ideal for captive tortoises.
- During fecal examination, the vet checks for parasite eggs or larvae. Deliver samples quickly as parasites die fast.
When to test:
- Visible signs: Poor appetite, weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, bloated appearance, mucus from mouth, worms in feces.
- New arrivals: Any tortoise should be tested before housing with others, especially rescues.
Constipation Relief
In cases of constipation, warm water baths combined with laxative foods can help:
- Dandelion
- Prickly pear cactus
- Pumpkin
- Aloe vera
Restoring Gut Flora
- Probiotics such as NutriBAC df (formulated for reptiles) can restore healthy gut flora.
- Boosts appetite, enhances digestion, and reduces stress.
- Sprinkle powder directly onto food.
- Give every 3–4 days initially, then reduce to 1–2 times per month for maintenance.
Tube Feeding
Esophagostomy tube feeding is a very serious and risky procedure. It should only be performed on critically ill animals by a veterinarian.
🏥 Finding a Veterinarian
Tip
If it is not an emergency, consider visiting your vet first without bringing your tortoise.
- Maintain a healthy level of skepticism — not all vets have tortoise-specific expertise.
- Standard veterinary practices can sometimes be unnecessary or harmful for tortoises.
- Always consider what is truly best for your tortoise. If in doubt, seek a second opinion.
- Whenever possible, seek out a veterinarian with specific experience in reptiles.
Recommended Veterinarians
🇺🇸 USA
- California: All Animals Veterinary Hospital (AAVH)
🇯🇵 Japan
- Tokyo: Reptile Clinic
Note
Know a great reptile vet? Submit a suggestion!