the anorexic tortoise - BSAVA

Figure 1: A male Hermann’s tortoise – note the
long keratinised end to the tail
Clinical assessment
A full history should be taken. This should
concentrate on:
■■ Signalment – unlike in dogs and cats
this is rarely known. Most owners can
say how long they have had the animal
but can rarely give more than an
indication of age. If owned for many
years it is worth asking if the tortoise
has grown in that time. If it has grown
significantly then likely it was young
when first owned. If not, then it was
probably mature when first owned. With
these species physical maturity would
probably suggest that the tortoise was
at least 20 years old when acquired.
The species of tortoise is also not
always known and it is worth being
familiar with the common species in
this group. Sex is often determined by
whether or not the tortoise has laid
eggs or not. This is not always reliable!
While Hermann’s and Horsfield’s are
relatively easy to sex (males have much
longer tails – Figure 1) the spur-thighed
group can be very hard to sex. Shell
shapes can be useful but are unreliable
in captive-bred animals as there are so
many diet-induced abnormalities.
Familiarity is the key!
■■ Husbandry. Full details are required:
– ■ Hibernation times and manner.
– ■ Temperature provision if any;
temperature measurements and
how these are are performed –
remember that a thermostat is a
control device not an accurate
measure of temperature.
– ■ If housed, vivarium or tray? Is the
tortoise kept outside?
– ■ Humidity (Mediterranean tortoises
generally require a dry environment).
– ■ Diet and feeding history.
– ■ Bathing?
– ■ Weight history. Many owners keep
accurate records of the animal’s
weight, especially before and after
hibernation. These data are very
valuable.
– ■ Contact with other animals,
especially other tortoise species.
■■ Medical history.
■■ Urination/defecation: absence of
these (especially if being bathed) is
significant.
■■ Reaction to food – is the tortoise
interested?
■■ Activity levels.
■■ Respiratory noise.
Before handling, the respiratory pattern
should be assessed. In most tortoises
breaths are infrequent and may be hard to
detect. However, if there is overt respiratory
effort, open-mouth breathing, or excessive
vocalisation on breathing then these may
be indicators of severe disease. Do not
confuse aggressive hissing with respiratory
noise, nor gular pumping (throat
movements) with respiratory movements.
A thorough clinical examination should
be performed. However, the presence of
the shell severely limits what can be
examined. All patients should be weighed
and this weight compared to any previously
recorded weights and, most importantly,
with the animal’s current body condition.
Body condition is assessed by the
amount of fat pad present in the prefemoral
fossa and between forelimbs and
neck. Sunken eyes may be a sign of
dehydration, but may also indicate a loss of
the fat pad behind the eyes.
The Jackson ratio (a graphical
comparison of weight:length allowing
assessment of ideal condition) may be of
some use for medium-sized spur-thighed
and Hermann’s tortoises, but generally is of
limited value compared to body condition
assessment – for example a tortoise
containing many eggs will have a good
Jackson “score” even though it may be
very thin.
The eyes should be assessed for
opacities and swelling of lids,
conjunctiva, etc.
The nares should be checked for
discharges, abscessation, etc.
The mouth should be carefully
assessed (Figure 2) for:
Figure 2: Oral examination – note normal
membrane colour and texture
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