Russian Tortoise Cough

Question
My daughter got a Russian tortoise two weeks ago.  When it first came home it ate heartily.  Now it seems to turn up it's nose at everything.  We have a UV lamp for 3%B and 7%A in the 80 gallon aquarium and a heat lamp (around 90 F)at one end. Tonight, the tortoise has begun what sounds like a choking cough.  We can't find anything that seems to fit the problem.  Any ideas what it could be?

Answer
A common problem is called the 'Sick Air Syndrome', in which the tank is so closed up to maintain temps, that the air becomes stale, stinky, mildewed or otherwise full of micro-organisms. It is especially common in glass aquariums, which so easily become very airtight and only allow air flow at the top.

Very dry habitats (rabbit pellet substrates, too much sand in the substrate, etc.) can cause a cough as well, as can too damp of a habitat.

Personally, I find Russians to be a bit tricky. They come from a rather unusual place and there are a million different care sheets for them- none of which agree.

The very best care sheet I know of is this one- http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/horsfield_habitat.html

Give it a look and see if it helps!