Quarantine question

[Othello]

This is just a general question, and really is not intended to stoke up any argument. However consider the following hypothetical situation.

2 friends (lets call them A and B) each buy themselves a hatchling tortoise from the same breeder, and go about their merry ways, both erecting a nice sized tortoise table, sourcing suitable weeds for feeding etc etc. After 2 years of by the book husbandry, friend A unfortunately has to give up her tortoise due to a change in circumstances. After discussions with friend B, they agree that friend B will take her tortoise. Now my question is this, as both are the same species, then is their any need for quarantine, as both can be vouched as "illness free" by one another? I would not see here the point of an additional 6-18 months apart for observation? This seems to me like common sense, and a fairly exagerrated example, however would like to hear people's thoughts? Please no flaming....

[tortoise_dude]

Originally Posted by Othello

This is just a general question, and really is not intended to stoke up any argument. However consider the following hypothetical situation.

2 friends (lets call them A and B) each buy themselves a hatchling tortoise from the same breeder, and go about their merry ways, both erecting a nice sized tortoise table, sourcing suitable weeds for feeding etc etc. After 2 years of by the book husbandry, friend A unfortunately has to give up her tortoise due to a change in circumstances. After discussions with friend B, they agree that friend B will take her tortoise. Now my question is this, as both are the same species, then is their any need for quarantine, as both can be vouched as "illness free" by one another? I would not see here the point of an additional 6-18 months apart for observation? This seems to me like common sense, and a fairly exagerrated example, however would like to hear people's thoughts? Please no flaming....

I will get shot down in flames for this... but I wouldn't quarintine. They have both been kept alone for the past 2 years, which is technically a quarantine period in itself. Plus they are from the same breeder/clutch and have lived together before. So long as they are both healthy I'd have no problems putting them together.

[annsimpson1]

I'd be inclined to say the same Josh, if you 100% know the history of the tort then I can't see a problem, the problem comes when having to beleive someone that you don't know then theres a risk.

[Tina]

I'd agree with Josh and Ann... as long as neither of the torts have been in contact with any other torts in that period of time and are both healthy. I'd keep a close eye on them both though to make sure they were eating and behaving normally when put together again.

The only thing I would do in those circumstances probably is have them both treated for parasites before putting them together as they will have been in different outdoor situations and could have picked up different things.

[Othello]

Ok, so common sense prevails really, do agree with Tina, treating for parasites seems a sensible precaution to take.

[wizzasmum]

Originally Posted by Othello

This is just a general question, and really is not intended to stoke up any argument. However consider the following hypothetical situation.

2 friends (lets call them A and B) each buy themselves a hatchling tortoise from the same breeder, and go about their merry ways, both erecting a nice sized tortoise table, sourcing suitable weeds for feeding etc etc. After 2 years of by the book husbandry, friend A unfortunately has to give up her tortoise due to a change in circumstances. After discussions with friend B, they agree that friend B will take her tortoise. Now my question is this, as both are the same species, then is their any need for quarantine, as both can be vouched as "illness free" by one another? I would not see here the point of an additional 6-18 months apart for observation? This seems to me like common sense, and a fairly exagerrated example, however would like to hear people's thoughts? Please no flaming....

No - I would not quarantine in these circumstances, it is no different than the original breeder keeping these two seperately and then putting them together.

[jahred]

In situations like this, you don't need too since you already know the history of the Tortoise.

It really does fall down to common sense; if you know the established background of a Tortoise (I'm talking about long term habitation and influences) then you can skip this step.* However, if you don't know the previous history of a tortoise with any certainty then yes, they should be quarantined.

*Aside from checking for worms and parasites.