Tortoise health. Part 2: common clinical conditions

Abstract

Background: This is the second article in a two-part series on tortoise health, and focuses on two areas of significant clinical concern: reproductive and respiratory diseases. Although both common, the clinical presentation of these conditions in tortoises varies greatly from that of more familiar domestic mammal patients. The first part of the series was published in the January/February 2024 issue of In Practice and covered husbandry and husbandry-related diseases.

Aim of the article: This article outlines further clinical conditions commonly seen in captive tortoises and their aetiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management. Euthanasia technique is also discussed and is a procedure which is possible to be carried out in any veterinary clinic where welfare of a tortoise is significantly compromised.