Russian Tort soft shell Please HELP!!!

Question
Hi, Please help!  I have had my Russian Tort Toby for 3 years and have never had a problem until the other day I noticed his shell is getting soft.  I have UVA & UVB lights, he eats great loves spring mix & dandelions.  Thats all he will eat actually.  I give him water soaks 2x a week.  He is due for a soak but I'm scared to put him in water while he is squishy.  He is still eating and active, comes out to sun himself. Is he savable?  Please help I love this little guy.  Thanks so much for your time.

Answer
The diet needs some work. 'Sping mix' is usually pretty nutritionally bland lettuce and spinach. Spinach actually 'steals' calcium from the body and is generally not good for tortoises, even though it is high in other nutrients.

For good bone development, we need to mix calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D3, magnesium, and other things in decent quantities. The goal is to offer a balance between calcium and phosphorous in the diet so there is a ratio of 3 times as much calcium as phosphorous (Ca:P of 3:1).

Dandelions are about a 3:1 ratio, spinach is a 2:1, and most of the other lettuce in the mix is about a 1:1, so it is averaging pretty low in the ratio to begin with. However, the oxalic acid in the spinach, the stuff that neutralizes calcium, is very high at 970mg. The result is the tortoises are not getting enough calcium in the diet.

Instead of Spring Mix, try:
- Escarole or Endive lettuce, Ca:P of 2:1
- Turnip greens, Ca:P of 4.5:1 (other greens have low ratios or are high in oxalic acids)
- A pinch of calcium supplement about 1 or 2 times a week (actually, a small pinch every other day for now might be a good idea.)

This is a short term solution. You will want to try to get it to eat a healthier diet- yard plants, leaves, grasses (Timothy grass is good), etc.- more fiber, etc.

Don't worry too much about the soaks right now. They won't hurt it at all, and the diet is rather 'wet' as well.

A good site for diet, cares, etc. is http://www.russiantortoise.org

The prognosis for the tortoise is mixed. Once soft areas start, it is often a sign that there is organ damage, skeletal problems, etc. as well. The recovery will be rather slow, and will depend greatly on how much hidden damage there is.

A vet could offer better 'internal' care and supportive care, but it is also not generally cheap.

During the 'recovery' period, make sure the tortoise gets good cares otherwise, including a slight boost of temps to help boost its immune system.

Good luck!