Clear discharge from rear

[bohbohb]

Hey guys, so my RT- Rygel- I've had him about three weeks now. He's doing great, as near as I can tell, vet checked him out as healthy- fecal results were negative etc. He's eating fine, and while not drinking much (as near as I can tell) he's eating high water content food and has a shallow water dish available to him at all times for drinking, soaking or bowel movements as he desires.

Today, I had him walking around free in my backyard/driveway.. he started to go under my car so I picked him up and moved him to a more open area and he let out a clear fluid- normally I would suspect this was urine, but as I have read (and seen) tortoises discard uric acid in a more solid form, which I forget the name of off the top of my head.

So, on to the question at hand, what was this clear liquid? I assume it's nothing to be concerned about. It seems like it was probably a stress response or defense mechanism. Thanks, have a nice day.

[Joe H]

The clear discharge is urine. A well hydrated healthy tort often has urates that are so diluted you don't see them

[bohbohb]

Ok, cool. Thanks for letting me know.

[ginababy]

Joe,
Baxter has a clear urine with the white urates in with it.  Is this OK or is she not hydrated enough?

[Joe H]

Joe,
Baxter has a clear urine with the white urates in with it.  Is this OK or is she not hydrated enough?

Thats normal too

Dehydrated torts have urates that are gritty, like sand

[go_fish]

Joe - stupid question, but how do you tell the urates are gritty and sand-like? Do you have to touch it to know? My torts pass the liquid with the white urates, which usually just looks like a flattened strung -out piece of wet chewing gum (that's the best way I can describe it) how do I know it's gritty?

Thanks

[Joe H]

When you see it there will be no doubt. It will look like wet sand