Russian Tortoise Must Learn To Eat Nutritious Food

The following story about a Russian tortoise was submitted by Sandy’s Haven, Inc. serving areas from North Ogden, Utah, to Pocatello, Idaho.

This 4-year-old Russian tortoise was an owner surrender. He presented with an overgrown beak, nails, swollen eyelids, and skin issues. He had been fed a diet of iceberg lettuce exclusively and would not accept other vegetables or lettuce.

We trimmed his beak and applied coconut oil to his skin and shell. We used Emeraid IC Herbivore mixed according to label directions as a top dressing on iceberg lettuce. We then slowly added bits of dark, leafy greens and other vegetables to improve his vitamin A levels and overall nutrition.

A month later he was eating healthy foods, and we were able to stop the EmerAid top dressing.