Pneumonia Symptoms

Question
Hi, I work at a petstore and work mostly with reptiles but I just got a yellow footed tortoise. I ordered him online and he arrived today during a snowstorm and I think he might have pneumonia. He has been whipping he nose on his legs and walks with his head up. I am going to be taking him to the vet within the next week, I was just wondering what you would recommend i do until i get him checked out.

-Thank You.

Answer
Yellow-foots are great, but absolutely need good temps and humidity control.

Temps should be in the 80-90 range, mostly in the 85-88F zone

Humidity needs to be as high as possible- 95% in at least some of the habitat, and 80%+ in most of it. This is usually the trickiest issue, and dehydration can cause similar symptoms to what you describe.

A glitch with humidity is that they cannot really stay on wet surfaces, or deal well with habitats that have condensation all over them.

Lighting needs to be subdued- this is an animal from very low-light conditions.

Make sure it is eating well- good leafy greens (dandelion, turnip greens, endive lettuce and escarole lettuce), pineapple, melon, and strawberries for fruit, and a weekly bit of meat like a pinkie o hard-boiled egg.

http://www.redfoots.com has a simple diet plan, and http://www.tortoisetrust.org is a good site as well.


Now... the basic care of an ill tortoise would be a little different-
- slightly higher temps
- an extra dash of vitamin powder to ensure good nutrition
- a warm soak every day or two to hydrate up well (keep it from drafts to and from the soak as well.)
- make sure the habitat is clean and as odor free as possible, and make sure it gets plenty of fresh (but warm and humid) air.
- A low-level UVB bulb for a few hours a day, or better yet, real sun would help as well.