New and Need Help ASAP

[Megan85]

Hi,
I have two baby scutula tortoises and one is not moving but the head is in and the eyes are closed. I have no idea if it is dead or alive. I have tried a warm soak and in case of dehydration also added unflavored pedialyte, there is no movement or response. I do not want to bury it if it is still alive! Its tank mate, Leonardo is fine, very active eating well and Raphael is not doing anything. Please help me with any tips to let me know if I can try something else or if it is gone.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

welcome to the forums! can you post some pics of the torts and the enclosure? what are the basking spot temps, cool side temps and night temps? whats the cage humidity? what is there diet? soak the baby in baby carrot food mixed with warm water.

 

[kathyth]

I would start by placing him under a good 90 degree heat source. Don't bury him until you're sure he is dead.
How have you been keeping these tortoises?
Warm? Have they been eating, soaking, drinking?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I have only experienced one dead tortoise and it was limp.
It sounds more like yours in in some type of serious distress. Coil lighting? Too hot?
I'm sorry I can't be of more help. Place him some place dark and warm for now.

 

[leigti]

Does he give any resistance if you try to pull on any of his limbs?

 

[leigti]

For now, don't put them back with the other tortoise keep them separated.

 

[Megan85]

Hello,
There is good humidity, I have been misting and soaking. They eat romaine lettuce and organic spring mix with calcium powder. They soak for half an hour every other day. The basking temp side is approximately 82 degrees, the side without the heat lamp is about 68 degrees and night time is about 60 degrees. Leonardo is very active, I do not know their sex yet as they are baby hatchlings, however Raphael is not doing so well and since the day we got them has not eaten as much or been as active as Leo. They do stay warm and Leo is very responsive and friendly. I am very worried, I do not know how to tell if Raph is passed.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

Hello,
There is good humidity, I have been misting and soaking. They eat romaine lettuce and organic spring mix with calcium powder. They soak for half an hour every other day. The basking temp side is approximately 82 degrees, the side without the heat lamp is about 68 degrees and night time is about 60 degrees. Leonardo is very active, I do not know their sex yet as they are baby hatchlings, however Raphael is not doing so well and since the day we got them has not eaten as much or been as active as Leo. They do stay warm and Leo is very responsive and friendly. I am very worried, I do not know how to tell if Raph is passed.

get the basking spot temp to 90 and night temps should not go below 80.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

can you post some pics?

 

[leigti]

He may just be cold. Put him under the heat light by himself.

 

[Yvonne G]

When a tortoise dies his eyes will look extremely sunken in. Before rigor mortis sets in he will be limp and his legs will hang out loosely. After he's been dead a while the gasses inside him will start to expand, giving him a bloated look.

 

[Megan85]

Hello,
I am trying to post some pics, I have not yet figured out how. I have Raph soaking in the carrot water mixture, he is not responsive. I have pulled a little on his limbs but if I am getting any resistance it is so hard to tell. The room is extremely warm already, I did not want to over heat them. Working on the photos

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

Hello,
I am trying to post some pics, I have not yet figured out how. I have Raph soaking in the carrot water mixture, he is not responsive. I have pulled a little on his limbs but if I am getting any resistance it is so hard to tell. The room is extremely warm already, I did not want to over heat them. Working on the photos

what do you use for night heat?

 

[Megan85]

For night we use a 100 watt red light heat bulb in a Fluckers mini sun dome.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

A night low temp of 60 is entirely too cold. This may however be unrelated to the situation.

 

[Megan85]

I am doing all that I can think of, I cannot find a way to post these pics onto here from my email. I have called several vet hospitals in my area, none specialize in reptiles and they were no help at all, in fact they were down right rude. They only reptile specialist does not open until Teus morning. You all have been wonderful in helping me. Thank you so much, I am not yet done. I still have not figured out if Raph is alive and I am trying all you guys say. I soaked it, now I have it in a dark and warm area. Is there any thing else? I promise I am working on the photos.

 

[kathyth]

Good luck to you and your baby. I would just leave him at 90 degrees. You have done everything!

 

[crimson_lotus]

Those red light bulbs aren't good to use, tortoises need it dark at night like we do to sleep, plus sometimes red lights confuse them into eating their substrate. I would recommend getting a lightless ceramic heat emitter instead.

Good luck with your little one, I hope he's alright!

 

[Megan85]

This is Raph currently, its eyes are not sunken in, but they are closed. Its limbs are very loose and it's not moving at all. Will post more photos

 

[Megan85]

What is a lightless ceramic heat emitter? Like a heat rock? cause all of the research I have done prior to getting the tortoises said to use the red light for heat always.