Thank you to all of You who helped with your guidance and support for my little Leopard

KateZ

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i am new to the tortoise forum but was overwhelmed by the support and advise. Everything that each one of you taught me was spot on as it related to care of my yearling leopard tortoise. The food, temp, substrate, UVB and heating etc.

Today I took my little guy to the exotic vet in Scottsdale, AZ after owning him for just over a week. It saddens me that people are so driven by money that they have no sense of humanity.

I bought this one year old leopard tortoise via the web from what I read to be a reputable tortoise breeder. He never ate a bite while since I've owned him. Many of you gave me great advise. I've soaked him, changed his temp introduced him to outdoors (weather permiting) etc. one of you even noticed pyramiding from a photo that I hadn't even noticed.

All I knew was that something was wrong. I kept thinking "failure to thrive". He showed very little Interest in food in fact I thought his jaw wasn't even working. Almost like he didn't know how to bite down. I didn't know that the bottom of his shell felt too soft either. I am a novice.

After a tearful week of worry and concern for the little guy I was certain he wouldn't make it. After the vet visit we are clearly not out of the woods but at least have a plan of treatment.

The vet looked at the photos of my habitat, meal plan etc. and said that I was doing everything correctly. The vet determined that the illness my tortoise was suffering had begun long before I received him last week.

Raffi, my little leopard tortoise, has nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) sometimes known as metabolic bone disease. He said that this is due to some combination of a diet of too low calcium, a diet too high in phosphorus, lack of ultraviolet B or lack of vitamin D3, temperatures that are too cool, parasites within intestines interfering with digestion and/or lack of water.

Raffi was prescribed injectable calcium gluconate to boost his calcium level. He was assist fed today to provide vsome nutrition. He will likely have permanent changes in shape of his jaw (thus not biting well)

There is also chance that Raffi has another condition related to kidneys that he will be tested for. In the mean time he has two daily injections. Meloxicam 0.5 mg/ml TGH injections daily for inflammation and pain associated with NDHP and calcium + D3 injections to strengthen bones. His jaw was what they considered lax from the NDHP. They are hoping over time he will strengthen. We have a long way to go with possibly weeks Or months of assisted feeding injections.

I am saddened at what people will do for money. I've learned a valuable lesson - get referrals for reputable breeders before buying. This poor little fellow may not have survived and still has a very rough road ahead. I am frustrated and worried. I haven't even considered the exorbitant cost this breeder has cost me. I just love the little leopard so much. My only concern is his health and well being.

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Neal

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You've had a rough time, but glad that you are making a great effort to help him out.

Have you reached out to the breeder yet? I think you need to make them aware of all this, at the very least. You've only had him for a week, so all of the issues your vet mentioned don't happen within that sort of time frame.
 

Jodie

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Poor things. Both of you! I would very much like to know where you bought this baby. Best of luck to you. It is wonderful that you are taking this on, and caring so much for this tortoise.
 

Slow and steady

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What Neal said. I'd be very interested to know the breeder's response to this. Sorry you have had so much trouble with the lil fellow, but I'm glad he was lucky enough to wind up in the hands of someone who is so dedicated. Kudos.
 

wellington

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So sorry you both are having a ruff time right now. Thank you though for caring enough to give him a fighting chance. Great tortoise parenting your doing. Good luck, fingers are crossed for the both of you for a speedy and smooth recovery. Keep us updated.
 

KateZ

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Poor things. Both of you! I would very much like to know where you bought this baby. Best of luck to you. It is wonderful that you are taking this on, and caring so much for this tortoise.


I do not like to think or say bad things about companies or people without knowing all the facts. I did buy the little guy from an east coast breeder Tortoise Town in NJ. I haven't called him to let him know the diagnosis. I guess I saw no point. Money isn't the issue. It's the little guys life. I hate to see the little guy so fragile and having trouble even trying to bite a lettuce leaf. Ugh. Thank for the encouragement.
 

Neal

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I don't mean to suggest we all go on a witch hunt or anything, but the breeder should know about this.

Not all breeders are in it for the money, some just need more education. Crap happens and there is no way anyone can absolutely determine the breeder is responsible for these issues, but it is a possibility that their husbandry did contribute. They should be made aware so they can make changes to their husbandry if necessary.
 

Diamond

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So sorry for you both, It can be very stressful to have a sick pet. Those of us who are animal lovers want the best for them. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. Hoping all works out and your little guy responds to the great care you are providing him. He is lucky you have found him and are doing your best to help him. Keep us posted. Best of luck.
 

Jodie

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I do not like to think or say bad things about companies or people without knowing all the facts. I did buy the little guy from an east coast breeder Tortoise Town in NJ. I haven't called him to let him know the diagnosis. I guess I saw no point. Money isn't the issue. It's the little guys life. I hate to see the little guy so fragile and having trouble even trying to bite a lettuce leaf. Ugh. Thank for the encouragement.
Thank you for the info. As a breeder, I like to know who the sellers are that are selling sick tortoises. I get a lot of them trying to buy large numbers of hatchlings. I don't sell wholesale yet, but will probably have to in the future. Just like to keep it in mind.
Again best wishes you can turn it around for this little one.
 

Yvonne G

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Since the tortoise was a year old when you bought it, it very well may be that Tortoise Town isn't the breeder and was just re-selling a tortoise. You really can't tell by looking if there's something as serious wrong as what it sounds like is wrong with your tortoise.

You're very lucky to have a good vet to handle this problem for you.

Please keep us informed of the little guy's progress. We're all rooting for you.
 

KateZ

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Any update @KateZ ?


You're so kind to ask. Little Raffi is doing pretty well. The changes recommended by the forum helped. He went from a low of 164 grams in December up to 202 grams yesterday. Slow and steady. I hand feed him twice a day. He seems to like me handing him to perfect size to chomp on. Now to widen his food preferences. Habitat improvements allow fie a constant humidity of 80. When he wasn't covered it was hard to manage heat and humidity.

As the weather permits here in Scottsdale we spend a good amount of time basking in the sun while building his summer habitat.
 

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Fredkas

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You're so kind to ask. Little Raffi is doing pretty well. The changes recommended by the forum helped. He went from a low of 164 grams in December up to 202 grams yesterday. Slow and steady. I hand feed him twice a day. He seems to like me handing him to perfect size to chomp on. Now to widen his food preferences. Habitat improvements allow fie a constant humidity of 80. When he wasn't covered it was hard to manage heat and humidity.

As the weather permits here in Scottsdale we spend a good amount of time basking in the sun while building his summer habitat.
like how it sounded!!!!!! closed enclosure is easy to maintain once setup right, and this apply to me also :D
 

Lyn W

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Good luck to you and Raffi.
He is lucky to have you.
I hope that with his treatment he will make good progress soon.
 

Pearly

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Omg! How beautiful is lil Raffi!!!!!!is he able to eat puree type consistency off the feeding tile? If so you can really beef him up by mixing all kinds of nutritious greens very finely chopped with soaked mazuri pellets or other commercial tort foods, mix it all up real good add just a bit of pureed fresh cucumber for smell... you know, kinda like trying to get picky toddler to eat
 

Yvonne G

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Yes, Mazuri is great for helping them grow. If you can get him to eat that, he might make great progress. Can you tell us the name of your vet? Sounds like a guy we'd like to have on our list.
 

Gillian M

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You're so kind to ask. Little Raffi is doing pretty well. The changes recommended by the forum helped. He went from a low of 164 grams in December up to 202 grams yesterday. Slow and steady. I hand feed him twice a day. He seems to like me handing him to perfect size to chomp on. Now to widen his food preferences. Habitat improvements allow fie a constant humidity of 80. When he wasn't covered it was hard to manage heat and humidity.

As the weather permits here in Scottsdale we spend a good amount of time basking in the sun while building his summer habitat.
Glad to hear your cutie is better.
 

KateZ

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Omg! How beautiful is lil Raffi!!!!!!is he able to eat puree type consistency off the feeding tile? If so you can really beef him up by mixing all kinds of nutritious greens very finely chopped with soaked mazuri pellets or other commercial tort foods, mix it all up real good add just a bit of pureed fresh cucumber for smell... you know, kinda like trying to get picky toddler to eat
You are amazing. I put his Mazuri, calcium, kale, romaine, , cactus pad , cucumber, hibiscus leaves, dandelion etc in the Vitamix. It's perfect. He's never eaten so much!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
 

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