Urates

This forum covers all aspects of tortoise diet and nutrition, including mineral and vitamin supplementation and foods appropriate for different species.
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Teddy28
Posts: 156
Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

Urates

Post by Teddy28 » 16 Jan 2020, 17:32

Hi there
Boris (No 10) Horsfield has started eating rather well now that he is getting used to the fact that he is over wintering rather than hibernating this year (I've only had him since September and he had quite a heavy worm count) . He's been having regular baths but hasn't eaten for periods of 10 days or so and his urates have become a little bit gritty but nothing too serious. His urates have also taken on a pale pink colour - photo attached (I wasn't sure if this could be due to eating prickly pear fruit which was pink ) and today in his urates was a stone! It's next to the 1penny piece on the photo to give an idea of size. Is this something to be concerned about?[attachment=1]20200116_170040_resized.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20200116_171505_resized.jpg[/attachment]
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lin
Posts: 1034
Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:27

Re: Urates

Post by lin » 16 Jan 2020, 20:36

Hiya.
Did the stone come before the pink rates? If it did it could have caused a scratch or two on its way out.
I would definitely bathe a couple of times a day for a while to get her hydrated and keep an eye on the urates to see if they return to a pasty consistency. Nice warm water for about 15 to 20 mins a time and top the water up to keep it warm.
Jet us know what it’s like next time she goes.

Lin

Teddy28
Posts: 156
Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

Re: Urates

Post by Teddy28 » 16 Jan 2020, 21:58

Hi Lin
His urates have been a little bit pink for about a week I'd say and they have been grittier than usual. Today was the first time I'd seen a stone. Having said that, I was able to squash the stone between my fingers once it had dried. He's been having baths every other day since September but hasn't been drinking much.
His appetite has definitely improved since Christmas and as well as plantain leaves he's taken to navelwort in a big way and they seem quite juicy so I'm hoping that might help with his water intake.
I 'll up the baths and see how he goes
Thanks again

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Nina
Posts: 2003
Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22

Re: Urates

Post by Nina » 16 Jan 2020, 22:05

I think you're doing all the right things. Do you thoroughly wet all of the leaves, etc that you give him? That can get a little more water into him, and every bit helps!

Nina

Teddy28
Posts: 156
Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

Re: Urates

Post by Teddy28 » 16 Jan 2020, 22:19

Hi Nina yes I try to make sure his leaves are wet. He's not interested in cucumber but I'll keep offering it to him. He definitely seems to have come thru his 'must hibernate' phase so hopefully things will improve with his urates.
Will keep you posted
Thanks again

Teddy28
Posts: 156
Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

Re: Urates

Post by Teddy28 » 05 Feb 2020, 18:00

Hi just a quick update on Boris's urates. They are much better now. Bathing once or twice a day and fresh sow thistle leaves, plantains and his current favourite - juicy navelwort and his urates are a lovely soft white consistency. He's be away at his foster home for a week whilst I've been on holiday and seems to have enjoyed himself and been eating well oh and pooing well too. After his very high worm count last year and his enforced over wintering, he seems very settled and getting braver. He's also a darling little chap. Thanks again for all the advice

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Nina
Posts: 2003
Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22

Re: Urates

Post by Nina » 05 Feb 2020, 18:41

Thanks so much for the update! i've been wondering how Boris was getting on, so it's good to hear that he's doing well, and it's super that you are finding nice weeds still available outdoors for him. What's really good is that he isn't trying to hibernate and refusing to eat -- he's being a really cooperative gentleman, I think!

Cheers,
Nina x

Teddy28
Posts: 156
Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

Re: Urates

Post by Teddy28 » 05 Feb 2020, 21:09

Thanks Nina, he did have a six or eight week period when he was doing his best to hibernate but now he's bringing himself out of his hidey hole and waiting under the lamp for it to come on in the mornings. He's also going in search of his food now whereas a month ago I was having to put it in front of him.
The new table build hasn't started yet but hopefully it 'll be starting soon, ha and probably ready just as Boris is ready to go outdoors!
Will post some pics soon
X

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Nina
Posts: 2003
Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22

Re: Urates

Post by Nina » 05 Feb 2020, 22:03

What a lovely tortoise he is! And what a lovely keeper you are to be building him a nice new table -- he's a lucky chappie.

Nina

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