In November and December of 2020, the Sofa Cushion Challenge ran a social media series on Tortoise Bladder Stones. Because it was for social media, only the most basic information was included. Nevertheless, for those interested in learning more about tortoise bladder stones, here's a list of links to various articles, scientific papers and other resources.

Introduction & Basic Info

• Bladder Stones in Tortoises: This FAQ by Lynn Mohns can by found on page 2 of the August, 2004 Tortoise Group Newsletter.
• Tortoise Bladder Stone FAQ: Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital.
• Tortoise Bladder Stones: A general article on tortoise bladder stones by Douglas Mader, M.A., DVM, DABVP. 1 Dec. 2011 (Reptiles Magazine)
• Tortoise Bladder Stones: General article on tortoise bladder stones by KEVIN WRIGHT, DVM, DABVP (RA). 1 Dec. 2011 (Reptiles Magaine)
• Clinical Management of Bladder Stones in Tortoises: This was Dr. Wright's bladder stones presentation at the 2008 conference of the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC).
• Urate Salts in Urine. What's that white stuff that comes out when my tortoise pees? The makings of a bladder stone. Better out than in. This little snippet by the Tortoise Group gives insight on the situation. 25 Feb. 2017.
• Timmy's Pee: Actual images of the "urate salts in urine" discussed above. Please continue to scroll. 24 March 2013 (Imgur)

In the News

• Pictured: The 5in tortoise saved by doctors who removed an egg-sized bladder stone: This is the story of Polly the Pancake Tortoise and her egg-sized bladder stone. 7 Oct. 2008. (Daily Mail)
• SAN FRANCISCO / Surgery on zoo's tortoise like fixing a surfboard ding / Dangerous bladder stones removed and reptile gets new fiberglass underbelly: This is the story of Cactus the Deser tortoise who had surgery on four bladder stones. By Patricia Yollin, 24 Aug. 2005 Updated: Jan. 20, 2012 9:52 a.m. (SFGATE)

Preventing Tortoise Bladder Stones

• Feeding Tortoises: A Practical Guide to Avoiding Dietary Disasters: One such "dietary disaster" is the bladder stone. The author discusses the roles of both diet and hydration in creating or preventing bladder stones. By A. C. Highfield (Tortoise Trust)
• Care and Maintenance of the Leopard Tortoise, Geochelone pardalis: Article discussing the diet of Leopard tortoises with a section specifically on preventing bladder stones. By A.C.Highfield and Jill Martin. (Tortoise Trust)
• TurtleTortoiseCare.org: Since proper diet and hydration is the key to bladder stone prevention, check out this page to find the proper diet for a particular species.

Bladder Stone Surgery

• Tortoise Bladder Stones (Uroliths): this page from the Long Beach Animal Hospital gives a step by step pictorial explanation of the "Plastronotomy" surgery for removing stones. Caution: Graphic!
• Comparison of outcomes between two surgical approaches...: This is a chart comparing the Plastronotomy (cutting open the shell) vs the Prefemoral Approach (making an incision in the upper hind leg) as surgical techniques in removing bladder stones. By Brian Jochems, B.S., Nadine Lamberski, DVM, DACZM, and Carmel Witte, M.S. Caution: Graphic!

How to Recuperate a Tortoise Who's Had Bladder Stone Surgery

• Desert Tortoise Tales: A blog spanning 2009-2015. It documents in text and photos the recuperation of Grandma, the desert tortoise, who underwent bladder stone surgery. Included are detailed articles on overwintering, tube feeding and much more. Note: This blog has a sad ending.

Scientific Publications

• Diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis in client-owned chelonians: 40 cases (1987–2012): This is just the abstract of a paper by Krista A. Keller, DVM and her team published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, September 15, 2015, Vol. 247, No. 6, Pages 650-658. (College of Veterinary Medicine: University of Missouri) Note: You can purchase the entire paper at the website.
• Clinical Applications of Cystoscopy in Chelonians: this paper by Nicola Di Girolamo and Paolo Selleri documents the use of an endoscope to view turtle & tortoise bladder stones. 2015.