My tortoise hasn't eaten in days and its shell is loose. What to do?

Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. You can soak her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 15-20 minutes once orb twice a week. This will provide warmth and hydration. Offer a variety of dark, leafy greens, chopped vegetables and commercial pellets. She will also need UVB lighting, a powdered multivitamin and a powdered calcium supplement. Set up a heat lamp to provide a basking area on one side of the tank. There should be an appropriate temperature gradient across the tank so she can move from warm to cool as she needs. If you can provide the species of tortoise, more specific advice can be provided.

Check the temperature in the enclosure. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. He could also be a bit stressed by the change in environment. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20-30 minutes. This will warm him up while providing hydration. Dice greens and vegetables finely to make eating easier.

Continue to treat as indicated by your veterinarian. Offer a varied diet rich in Vitamin A. Broccoli, carrots, cantaloupe, dandelion greens and collard greens are just a few foods rich in this vitamin. Confirm proper temperature. A cold tortoise will not eat. Soak him in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 30 minutes. This will warm him up and may treat or prevent mild dehydration.

Thanks for reaching out about Silica. By the description, this could be a calcium deficiency or metabolic bone disease. Check and correct husbandry parameters such as environmental temperature (day/night, highs/lows, basking site/cool side), UVB exposure and diet. A veterinary visit is highly recommended, ASAP, even if you don't elect to perform any diagnostic testing. Medications can be suggested and/or provided to improve recovery. Good luck.

Clean the tank and perform a partial water change. Rinse the filter media in some tank water, not tap water, to preserve beneficial bacteria. Make sure the water is warm, between 75F and 86 F, and the basking area is at proper temp ( 85 F to 90 F). Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. She may need a few days to reacclimate to you, even though you weren't gone long. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, swimming crooked, difficulty breathing or discharge from the eyes or nose. If necessary, have her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose and treat injury or infection.

He may have been hibernating/brumating. Continue with the daily soaks in warm water or a 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. Get him eating if he isn't already. If the behavior persists, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness.

Thanks for reaching out about Pedro. Review husbandry and diet, as if too cold, will depress appetite. Illness such as upper respiratory disease (sinus congestion) or intestinal infections/parasites can affect appetite. If husbandry is adequate, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.