Tortoise beak trimming

poiuytrewq

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I’ve only taken my tortoise to the vets once and although they advertised as reptile friendly they gave me all the wrong info (not even knowing what variety she is)
Recommended cucumber etc as feed. So from the huuuge amount of research I did before buying one I felt like I knew more than the vets did. I politely accepted the (wrong) info sheets and left.
I think she needs a beak trim ? I’m a bit scared to take her for something I imagine to be quite delicate.
Any owners had beaks trimmed? How is it done? Mine tucks her head right in if you touch her face so it’s not going to be easy.
I will be using a different vet! 60A6E1EA-81C9-4252-A2B7-EF1845B156BA.jpeg
 

Redders

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Beaks that grow abnormally are usually down to a deficiency of something at some point in the tortoises life, not saying you haven’t given excellent care - it sounds like you have/are, it could have been before she was in your care, but also the fact that trying to replicate their perfect environment is hard! Anyway, beaks should be trimmed by a vet (who is happy with and knowledgable with tortoises) with a rotary instrument (I use a dremel). Some only need a tidy up now and then, others I see need it doing every 2m initially. I’m sure you are aware of good tortoise Facebook groups, it’s worth an ask in there for vet recommendations in your area, or google your local vets and see if they have a vet on their books who is either studying towards or already is CertAVPZooMed (Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice/Advanced Practitioner) or listed as a specialist in exotic species (specialist is a protected term so can’t be used without the quals)
that being said, there are vets who don’t carry these quals for various reasons, but are really good with exotic species, so worth an ask in groups and see who is mentioned. If you give an area, someone on here may be able to recommend someone
 

Redders

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Oh and whilst it can be tricky to get the head out initially, and can’t take a lot of patience! a vet used to tortoises will be able to coax it out and hold correctly as needed - exotics rained nurses are wonderful at doing this!
Edit to say that I think The British Chelonian Society have a section on their page with vet recommendations
 

poiuytrewq

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Amazing info thanks!
You sound like you know your stuff, does it look in need of trimming to you? I am on a tortoise owners page and just saw a thread asking the same question but theirs was obviously over grown compared to mine! Originally I got her from a garden centre about 7 years ago. They weren’t being correctly cared for there. I do my best but am not super knowledgeable yet! Still learning. I will look at the British Chelonion society (never heard of it!) and will see if any local vets hold the qualification you mention.
 

Redders

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It’s really hard to judge from a photo to be honest, she does have an overbite, but without actually examining it I wouldn’t be able to say to what degree. I would say I think a trim would be necessary, as it will just keep growing and a stitch in time saves nine and all that.
I enjoy seeing the exotic species and am more comfortable with them that some vets who don’t see them very often, but I am not an expert by any means!
The Chelonian Society is a website one of my colleagues recommends and she also volunteers at their pre hibernation workshops where people take their tortoises for checks, so it’s good information
 

poiuytrewq

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A vet that I’d looked at online is one of the ones they recommend, it’s only about 40 minutes away so I think I’ll give them a call and head over so they can see and advise.
Thanks so much for your help and the website name.
 
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