Tortoises and turtles are long-lived animals that reward attentive, consistent care. At South Pasadena Animal Hospital, we provide complete chelonian veterinary care — wellness exams, shell disease treatment, respiratory infection management, parasite testing, and detailed husbandry review. We see Russian tortoises, sulcatas, box turtles, red-eared sliders, and other chelonians.
We understand tortoise and turtle biology, including species-specific husbandry requirements, temperature and UV lighting needs, and the metabolic diseases that come from improper setups.
Shell rot and pyramiding are common but often preventable. We assess shell health, treat infections, and advise on the husbandry corrections that prevent recurrence.
X-rays and bloodwork on-site for faster answers. X-rays are particularly useful for identifying metabolic bone disease, eggs, bladder stones, and internal infections in chelonians.
Full physical assessment: weight, shell condition, eyes and nasal passages, mouth, skin folds, reflexes, and muscle tone. Every visit includes a husbandry review covering lighting, temperatures, and diet.
Respiratory infections are common in tortoises kept at incorrect temperatures or humidity. We diagnose and treat with appropriate antibiotics and supportive care, and review husbandry to prevent recurrence.
Assessment and treatment of shell rot (bacterial or fungal), shell fractures, and pyramiding evaluation. We treat active infections and provide specific husbandry recommendations to prevent recurrence.
Fecal testing for intestinal parasites including pinworms and flagellates. Wild-caught or recently adopted tortoises are especially likely to have parasites and should be tested at their first visit.
X-rays and blood calcium assessment for MBD, which is common in tortoises with inadequate UVB lighting or calcium supplementation. We assess severity and provide a corrective husbandry plan.
Health assessment before hibernation or brumation to ensure your tortoise is at a healthy weight and free of respiratory infection — two critical factors for surviving brumation safely.
Visit us at 3116 W Main St in Alhambra, just west of the Fremont Avenue intersection. Easy street parking is available right out front.
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Closed for lunch 1–2 PM everyday.
Once a year for a wellness exam is ideal. New tortoises should come in shortly after adoption for a baseline exam and fecal test. Any tortoise that isn't eating, has unusual shell changes, or is showing discharge from the eyes or nose should be seen promptly.
Shell rot is a bacterial or fungal infection of the shell. It can start as soft spots or discoloration and progress to deep tissue damage if untreated. Mild cases are treated with antifungal or antibiotic medications and improved husbandry. Severe cases may require debridement and wound care.
It depends on context. Tortoises naturally eat less at cooler temperatures and before brumation. But a tortoise that isn't eating during normal activity season — especially combined with lethargy or nasal discharge — needs to be evaluated. Don't wait more than 1–2 weeks.
Generally no. Different tortoise species have different temperature, humidity, and diet requirements. Mixing species can also transmit pathogens that one species carries asymptomatically but that can be fatal to another.
Watch for open-mouth breathing, wheezing or clicking sounds when breathing, nasal discharge, an extended neck posture while breathing, and lethargy. Respiratory infections in tortoises are almost always bacterial and require antibiotic treatment — they will not resolve on their own.
Schedule your pet's appointment online in under a minute, or give us a call and our team will find a time that works for you.
If you are searching for a tortoise or turtle vet in Alhambra or the San Gabriel Valley, South Pasadena Animal Hospital provides comprehensive chelonian care at 3116 West Main Street. We see Russian tortoises, sulcata tortoises, box turtles, red-eared sliders, and other chelonian species for wellness exams, illness treatment, and preventive care.
Tortoises and turtles present unique veterinary challenges: they hide signs of illness until they are quite sick, their slow metabolism means infections progress differently than in mammals, and their care needs vary significantly by species. Our veterinarians take time at every visit to review husbandry in detail — enclosure temperatures, UVB lighting, diet, and substrate — because most health problems in chelonians trace back to husbandry that needs adjustment.
We perform all diagnostics in-house, including X-rays for shell assessment, egg detection, and metabolic bone disease evaluation, and fecal testing for parasites. Our pricing is published online. For more on reptile care at SPAH, see our reptile vet page.
Tortoise and turtle owners come to SPAH from across the region, including South Pasadena, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, San Marino, and Pasadena. To schedule an appointment, contact us or book online.