Indian Star Tortoise with weak hind legs - Any remedies?

[Malaefic]

Picked up a new Star today. Owner gave him up for adoption because she is moving out of the country.

His diet used to contain only beans, iceberg lettuce, corn and cabbage.

Overall he is healthy and active with bright eyes BUT I suspect he suffered from some form of calcium deficiency as the dome of his shell is slightly oddly shaped (front is much higher than the back).

Anyway, as she used to keep him in a box lined with just newspaper, I think he grew up dragging his hind legs. He can move his hind legs except when he walks, he drags his hind legs around and just use the knees to help push himself forward. The owner said that she allowed him to crawl all over her apartment at night, but it's all flat flooring so he drags his legs too.

Do you guys know anyway that I can strengthen his hind legs so that he will walk like how a tortoise should?

Thanks,
Mal

Some pics of Sheldon:

 

[latshki]

its a sign of MBD, just make sure he is getting proper care and take him to a vet for a checkup they will likely administer a calcium shot

 

[Malaefic]

its a sign of MBD, just make sure he is getting proper care and take him to a vet for a checkup they will likely administer a calcium shot

Well, I have already changed the diet and put him on a bedding with more traction instead of a flat surface like how he was kept.

The vet I go too is out of town at the moment. Just wanted to know if there is anything more I can do. I will be checking with the clinic tomorrow to see when he will be back.

Thanks

 

[coura]

Hi for what I see your new tort defenetly sufers from MBD and mild piramidism. He is actualy lucky he looks so good considering where he comes from. If you want to take it to the vet thats fine and good, get the turt X-rayed to see how the lungs, digestive track and squeleton are doing. However we can already start treating him for the MBD and the piramidism. I dont know how much you know about this particular tort care and needs but I will start by saying that you really must try to be very dedicated to him, both because he is hill and because this is one of the most delicate torts, however with good care he should make a complete recovery.
First of get a very good quality florescent uv bulb 5.0 from zoomed and when the weather is good expose him to direct sun ligth (in the long term you should really consider building him a outdoor enclosure for good weather).
Second he needs plenty of warmth and some moist in a good constructed terrarium. Hot spot temps need to be on the 35 degrees celcious range and lower temps in the 28-26c wich is also the nigth time temps. You will need a basking bulb and a ceramic bulb with termostat.
For diet this torts are 100% herbivorus (avoid COMPLETLY animal protein and fruit!) and need both weeds that you grow yourself and supermarket brougth greens to trive. Hibiscus, dandilions, Malva silvestris, spineless Opuncia, mustard greens, water cress, timoty hay, turnip greens,etc are must use foods. For now you must grinde food finely and mix with zoomeds reptivite to start hardening that skeleton

 

[EricIvins]

From the pictures, the shell looks fine.........Other than that, Mazuri all the way......Can't really say anything about MBD from pictures, other than the fact that I've seen other Tortoises dragging their rear end and it had nothing to do with MBD......My opinion, if it had MBD, even in the early stages, it's front legs would look much worse than they are......Seeing that those legs would have to support moving everthing that Tortoise has........

 

[jimmychu]

no worry

 

[Sylvias]

That previous diet is horrible.....
Luckily someone already mentioned what it should be eating so take their advice.

 

[coura]

This thread is older then we are....