Neurological disease in tortoises

The brain and the spinal cord in tortoises are similar to those found in mammals. There are some diseases that can affect the nervous system, but they are not common in tortoises.

Some tortoises are hibernated outside which can be dangerous for your tortoise. When the temperature drops below freezing, the brain is in danger of being damaged. Make sure your tortoise is protected when you place him into hibernation. Ensure you hibernate him in a well-insulated container that  still allows ventilation.

Frost bite can damage the face, head, legs  and brain and may need considerable treatment.

Herpesvirus is a very infectious virus that can affect the brain and is nearly always fatal.

Be very careful when finding a holiday home or mixing your tortoise with other tortoises as infection can easily be passed from one to the other.

When choosing a suitable place for your tortoise to stay whilst you are away, ensure that he is not exposed to other tortoises.

Try to find a carer that is happy to come to your house to care for him rather than moving your tortoise to a strange new environment elsewhere. Alternatively, it’s worth considering if you can move your tortoise’s whole vivarium to the carers house if they would prefer to care for your tortoise in their own home.

Disease risk is a factor to consider when choosing a carer. When choosing a suitable place for your tortoise to stay whilst you are away, ensure that he is not exposed to other tortoises. If your tortoise is either living in isolation, or in an isolated group, suddenly placing him in an environment where there are other tortoises is dangerous; there is a huge risk of disease spread. Wherever possible, arrange for your tortoise to be cared for at your own home.

If your tortoise contracts the disease, keep him in isolation and do not mix him with other tortoises. Some tortoises carry this disease but show no signs.

Correct temperature and a UV light keep the immune system healthy. Temperature is species dependant and UV should be good quality and kept at 30-45 cm away from your tortoises main basking spot.

If you suspect your tortoise has herpes virus, take him to the veterinary practice for supportive treatment. Unfortunately there is no cure or vaccine.