Bowser is a Hermanns, just over a year and a half old. He's generally in good health although today I have noticed he has quite wet eyes. He rubbs his eyes with his front  legs. Also he has been eating hair, the evidence is currently working its way out of the other end! I don't know if i should pull it out or leave it to come out on its own - I'm concerned about it being wrapped around his insides.

He doesn't seem to want to eat either. I've put a tasty dandelion leaf in front of him and he has completely ignored it which is really out of character.

I'm going to bath him but any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Jean

Hi Jean, I would think its worth a trip a specialist tort vet, if it is hair, like you say it could be wrapped around his organs, on the other hand it might just be plant fibre, either way dont pull it let it come out naturally.  The vet can tell you for sure, especially as he has gone off his food and watery eyes.

Let us know how you get on, by the way there is a list of vets on the left column, there may be one near you. Regards Vivienne

Hi Jean
My Keya has done that before when I left her to have a walk around the kitchen whilst I was getting her food, and putting her outside, there must have been one of my daughters long hairs on the floor yeuk, I have a phobia about hairs!!! She was fine, I cut the piece that was hanging down so it didn't get caught on anything. I am guessing that you mean human hair, or is it the loom that is in topsoil and when dry looks like fibrous hair?, also what substrate are you using, as this may be causing an irritation to his eye's. Have you tried him with something other than dandelion leaves,  most don't like them this time of year as they are a bit bitter, try something naughty like cucumber, just a little bit, just to see if the appetite is there? if so trying giving some plantain which is coming through nice and fresh at the moment, maybe a variety is needed.  I am with Vivienne though if your worried take them to a specialist vet, to put your mind at rest. Just one more more question, what is your housing set-up & what temps are you keeping them at?

Jane, Keya & Molly

Hi,

thanks for the advice, shortly after I had posted it came out naturally with a rather large poo! He's been absolutely fine since.  I think the eye thing must have just been a bit of dust or something because that has been fine since too.

Jean

Hi, a strand of hair is coming out our Herrmanns behind. Bowie is so young, hatched June last year. I noticed it poking out on Sunday and gentle pulled to reveal about 3 inches. I'm just waiting for it to be pooed out. I fed Bowie cucumber yesterday to keep hydrated; it worked as Bowie promptly peed over me. Today I come home to find none of the dandelion leaves eaten. Bowie has had a small poo but no luck in passing hair. How long did it take your tortoise to pass it? As you can see by time stamp, I'm having a few sleepless nights worrying about it, searched the Internet and found original post. Can anyone help?