Hello fellow tort admirers

matt perl

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Apr 22, 2014
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So it's costing me 90$+ tax just to get Zero looked at by the vet
If the visit helps I'm not worried about the money but if its for nothing than ill be annoyed obviously
App is for tomorrow morning so I'm crossing my fingers

In the meantime I have attempted to dry up some of the substrate and put some in a small container for zero to lay in while I try and do the same for the terrarium.
 
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Apr 22, 2014
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Wow he looks like he is making changes for the better in his appearance, I've never had to deal with shell rot but I do know what it's like to worry about those little guys. Good luck with Zero!
 

Nolan1992

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Mar 8, 2014
Messages
106
So I scrubbed Zero with the tooth brush and I'm thinking I may need to put him in my seperate terrarium with no substrate until my tank dries up a bit. His plaston has changed drastically in the last few days
View attachment 77333View attachment 77334

Should I apply funga soap with a qtip and put him in a non substrate place for the day and try and dry up the terrarium a bit?View attachment 77335

Any help with be appreciated
View attachment 77336

I have one young cherry who had shell rot as well. I panicked just like you did when it happened, but you just need to be patient. First things first, I immediately went to pick up a new bag of cypress mulch, cleaned out the enclosure thoroughly and then I I applied peroxide for the first two days after thoroughly washing and drying him. I let the peroxide dry out and re-applied after ten minutes about three times for these first two days. Afterwards, I applied lotrimin, it's that anti-fungal foot cream, and I put him in a Tupper wear bin on top of several paper towels for two hours to stay dry and then back into the enclosure so he wouldnt get TOO stressed out. Here is a pic of how he looked after 4 days. IMG_20140415_135743.jpg
 

matt perl

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Apr 22, 2014
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Thanks for the replies :)

I have a quick question
It seems like Zero has been eating his coco substrate more than the greens I have left for him . :s
Obviously can't be good for him, right? How much substrate can this little guy consume without getting sick ?
I had him soaking for quite a while trying to get it all out of his mouth and such.

I'm going to the vet tomorrow so hopefully the Dr will be able to provide me with some insight.
 

Nolan1992

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Mar 8, 2014
Messages
106
Thanks for the replies :)

I have a quick question
It seems like Zero has been eating his coco substrate more than the greens I have left for him . :s
Obviously can't be good for him, right? How much substrate can this little guy consume without getting sick ?
I had him soaking for quite a while trying to get it all out of his mouth and such.

I'm going to the vet tomorrow so hopefully the Dr will be able to provide me with some insight.

did you see him actually eating the coco coir or did he just have some around his mouth?
 

matt perl

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Apr 22, 2014
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In his mouth
I know he would nuzzle his face into the coco while trying to dig or move something
But I could have sworn he was eating it. I was worried so I opened his mouth as gently as possible and there was some still in there that's when I put him in his water dish and I've been sitting here for an hour watching him blow bubbles in the water
He hasn't moved very much recently but he could just be as bored as I am
 

Nolan1992

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Mar 8, 2014
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I used to use coco coir as well. RFs often bury just under the surface of the substrate and the little stringy type pieces get stuck around their mouth easily. Mine had it all the time. As far as him being inactive, the little guys are said to start to become more active around 1.5-2 years of age. I have a 1 year old and he loves to eat, drink, and go back to chilling under his vines all day long. But getting the humidity up and can help them become more active as well. They're very pretty, but sometimes pretty boring lol. Not quite the entertainers like sulcatas, russians, hermanns, etc. Not to say there aren't extroverted redfoots out there. It's a never ending learning experience, and it's a lot of fun :) The fact that you're worried about your tort shows that you will be a great owner for him. Take it from a paranoid pet owner.
 

matt perl

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Apr 22, 2014
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I'm really worried
I'm going to the vet now instead of in an hour from now
He hasn't moved all day
He hasnt struggled when I picked him up
Or when I washed him
I put him vertical to see if he'd move.. Nothing
So I'm stressing out
 

Ashes

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Oh I'm sorry. Have you been doing the daily warm water soaks?? You could also try baby carrot jar food in warm water - mix it together and let him soak.... Let us know what happens at the vet!
 

matt perl

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Apr 22, 2014
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I'm extremely depressed and sad
And regret to inform all of you that at some point in the last 12 hours baby zero has passed away
There was no heart beat and the dr couldn't do anything :(
I am going to stay in the forums and am not going to let this experience discourage me from finding another tort.
Thank you all for your replies and responses to my questions and messages

Matt

RIP zero march 14th 2014 - April 24th 2014

:(
 

matt perl

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Apr 22, 2014
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And yes I had done the baby food in water treatment and all
I did everything I could and apparently it could have been pneumonia or respiratory issue :(
 

Ashes

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Oh no!! I'm so so sorry.... RIP little Zero..... :( yes, please don't let it discourage you!!! There's a perfect little baby tortoise out there for you!!
 

Ashes

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He probably came that way to you, I'm sure there was nothing you could have done.... :( again, so sorry..
 

Yvonne G

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I was just getting ready to reply to your picture post that it looked to me as if the little guy has a respiratory infection (the open mouth). I'm so very sorry that you lost Zero. He was a beautiful little tortoise.
 

matt perl

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Apr 22, 2014
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Thanks I'm going to bury him right now
Super depressing. Every time I care about something more than myself, it leaves me. But these things happen I guess
 

mikeh

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RIP little guy. Many of us including myself have lost a tortoise at some point. We know the feeling. Glad to hear you are not discouraged.
 
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Nolan1992

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I'm very sorry for your loss. I wish you luck on having a happy and healthy experience with your next tortoise. R.I.P. Zero.
 

Ashes

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Thanks I'm going to bury him right now
Super depressing. Every time I care about something more than myself, it leaves me. But these things happen I guess
It's not you - it just happens... Don't think he was sent to you healthy... There are many people here that know good breeders. I got mine from a place in Florida shipped overnight to me in Iowa. You'll find something and s/he will be perfect!
 
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