Earlier this year I took in several desert tortoises. The person who brought them to me said that her Grandma had died, leaving the tortoises without a keeper. There were some adults and a couple of babies. The young gal had taken in the babies and her dog (or Grandma's dog, I'm not clear) had bitten one of them causing a puncture on the carapace (near the spine), the gular was pretty much separated, and a small puncture on the plastron. She took it to the vet and tried to follow the vet's instructions, including antibiotic injections, but realized she was in over her head and asked if I would take it along with the adult tortoises.
I've been doctoring this baby for a month or so. I noticed he doesn't use his back legs, so I'm thinking the carapace puncture may have injured some nerves. He won't eat and only moves slightly to get out of the direct beam of the light.
Every morning I put him in his water and after a half hour or so I place him in front of the food. He stays where I put him. I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that this baby was going to die.
This morning I saw this:
You can't tell from the picture, but HE'S EATING!!!!
!!!!!
He's not out of the woods yet, but he's made a great big stride forward!
I've been doctoring this baby for a month or so. I noticed he doesn't use his back legs, so I'm thinking the carapace puncture may have injured some nerves. He won't eat and only moves slightly to get out of the direct beam of the light.
Every morning I put him in his water and after a half hour or so I place him in front of the food. He stays where I put him. I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that this baby was going to die.
This morning I saw this:
You can't tell from the picture, but HE'S EATING!!!!
!!!!!He's not out of the woods yet, but he's made a great big stride forward!
