Please... Need Help... (desert tortoise with MBD?)

Mike6Ram

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My cousin gave gave me a tortoise he won in a poker game. I want to keep it but I don't know any info about it and I think there is something wrong with him because his shell is very weak and look like it's caving in .. please any info would be extremely help full... I went to pet co to see if they can help but they didn't help me at all.

20170207_082732-1.jpg 20170207_082742-1.jpg 20170207_082712-1.jpg
 

Tom

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What has happened to this tortoise took a long time to happen.

An expert keeper with years of experience will have a tough time saving it. I suggest you find someone like that to give it to. Or a tortoise vet.
 

Mike6Ram

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What has happened to this tortoise took a long time to happen.

An expert keeper with years of experience will have a tough time saving it. I suggest you find someone like that to give it to. Or a tortoise vet.
So there is no way I can save it or keep it? Do u know what kind of tortoise it is or looks like? I guess I'll take it to a vet tomorrow :/
 

Tom

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So there is no way I can save it or keep it? Do u know what kind of tortoise it is or looks like?

The color is off in the photos. Does it have red spots on the front legs and head? I'm pretty sure it is a desert tortoise. They are a protected species and cannot be bought or sold, or used as something of value in a poker game. They can only be possessed with a permit.

We can tell you what to do and you might be able to save it, but in a case like this, the tortoise will have a better chance of survival in experienced hands. If you want a tortoise, learn how to care for it first and then go get a healthy one to start with.
 

SarahChelonoidis

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Poor Gopherus tortoise... what state are you in? That severe of a case of metabolic bone disease will not be easy to combat. I wish you a great deal of luck.
 

Mike6Ram

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Poor Gopherus tortoise... what state are you in? That severe of a case of metabolic bone disease will not be easy to combat. I wish you a great deal of luck.
California ... I was looking at different tortoises online and he looks like he's a sulcata tortoise.
 

TheSulcata

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California ... I was looking at different tortoises online and he looks like he's a sulcata tortoise.
Yes, he does look like a sulcata. I agree with tom. There is not much you can do to get him back to normal health. He'd do better with someone who's been doing this for years. You can easily find healthy sulcatas for pretty cheap.
 

Mike6Ram

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Yes, he does look like a sulcata. I agree with tom. There is not much you can do to get him back to normal health. He'd do better with someone who's been doing this for years. You can easily find healthy sulcatas for pretty cheap.
But it dosnt seem like there's anything wrong with him he loves to splash around in water didn't know if that was normal , drinks water , loves lettuce, strawberrys and tomatos...runs around like nothing is wrong with it , the only thing that concerns me is his shell.
 

TheSulcata

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But it dosnt seem like there's anything wrong with him he loves to splash around in water didn't know if that was normal , drinks water , loves lettuce, strawberrys and tomatos...runs around like nothing is wrong with it , the only thing that concerns me is his shell.
Huh... if you really want to keep him and are committed then go for it. Read up on the things people post and make sure to drink your ovaltine
 

RosieTortoise

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But it dosnt seem like there's anything wrong with him he loves to splash around in water didn't know if that was normal , drinks water , loves lettuce, strawberrys and tomatos...runs around like nothing is wrong with it , the only thing that concerns me is his shell.
The first thing to do would be to take him to an experienced herp vet. Because of the severity of his shell there is definitely more going on with him. He probably has metabolic bone disease and will need some pretty hefty care to get him back on track. If you are really attached and are set on keeping him then definitely find an experienced keeper to help you get set up. We can help only so much, a good vet and someone that has experience can get you going.

Good luck!
 

Yvonne G

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California ... I was looking at different tortoises online and he looks like he's a sulcata tortoise.

Hi Mike, and welcome to the Forum!

No,he's not a sulcata. He's a desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and once the Metabolic Bone Disease (caved in shell) gets as bad as that, it's practically impossible to bring him back. A vet can get you started with calcium injections, but in with that he'll need UVB from the sun or from a GOOD (read expensive) UVB light.
 

Gillian M

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Hello @Mike6Ram and welcome to the forum! :D

Sorry to sat I doubt that you'll be able to look after that tort. :( The poor thing looks SO sick. :(
 

Tidgy's Dad

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Hello, Mike , and a very warm welcome to Tortoise Forum. :)
That tortoise is going to need urgent and expensive professional care, i'm afraid. :(
Poor mite.
 

Mike6Ram

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Hi Mike, and welcome to the Forum!

No,he's not a sulcata. He's a desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) and once the Metabolic Bone Disease (caved in shell) gets as bad as that, it's practically impossible to bring him back. A vet can get you started with calcium injections, but in with that he'll need UVB from the sun or from a GOOD (read expensive) UVB light.
But it shows all the features of a sulcata he has thorn like things on its legs and hides his whole body with the thorns sticking out as source of protection like a sulcata
 

cmacusa3

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But it shows all the features of a sulcata he has thorn like things on its legs and hides his whole body with the thorns sticking out as source of protection like a sulcata
It's a desert tortoise

Leg Spurs on a Sulcata are much larger
 

Yvonne G

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But it shows all the features of a sulcata he has thorn like things on its legs and hides his whole body with the thorns sticking out as source of protection like a sulcata

All tortoises have those "thorn-like" things on their legs, and the tortoise in your picture's leg scales are nowhere as big as the scales on a sulcata's legs:

lunch.jpg
 
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