Russians & Red Foots

Question
6 weeks ago I adopted a Red Foot that I now know had (has) a respiratory infection.  Since I did not know he was sick, I got him a Russian as a companion.  Both came from Petsmart and  I was told they could share a cage.  Shortly after adding the Russian my Red Foot took a turn and appeared quite ill.  As of today he is at the University of GA Vet Hospital with tubes in him.  The Dr. told me that Russians often carry a type of Herpes virus and transmit to other tortoises.  The Dr. said this infection is separate and more serious than the respiratory infection.  I cannot find any info on this.  I am already attached to Nadia, the Russian, and based on what the Dr. told me I am going to have to get her out of the house if the Red Foot, Coco, lives through this illness.  Any info or insight would be greatly appreciated!  The Red Foot is 8 inches and the Russian is 5 or 6 inches.  I have only had the Russian about 1 week.  Thanks!

Answer
I'm not sure what to tell you. Herpesvirus is very serious, and commonly carried by Russians.

The PetSmart people were mistaken- no experienced keeper would have suggested these two species share a habitat. For one thing, they want different habitats and diets (HUGELY different). For another, mixing animals from different regions is bad because animals from one place often carry diseases that animals from another place are not resistant to. Like Herpesvirus.

Herpesvirus is still a little new and mysterious to most keepers and non-vets. It is best known in sea turtles, but many European tortoises carry it as well.

When you buy a cheap adult-size Russian, you almost always get a disease- and parasite-laden wild-caught tortoise who is carrying a lot of stuff that captive-bred tortoises, like most (but not all) Reed-foots, don't have to worry about.

I am sad to say that the odds are not in favor of the Red-foot surviving. Herpesvirus is tough to cure, although there are treatments for tortoises.

If the Red-foot survives, you will have to make some choices- separate habitats, following infection control protocols, etc.

I would recommend a little more research into the needs of the two species and decide which you would rather deal with.

Good general care info:
- http://ww.tortoisetrust.org
- http://www.tortoise.org

Russians:
- http://www.russiantortoise.org

Red-foots:
- http://www.redfoots.com