trying to save friend's tortoise (updated 8/14)

[Jlant85]

RE: Update

baby food soak sounds good like i told you before. I would probably start him off w/ food that he might like such as romaine, red and green lettuce. Just to get him going. Then start introducing other foods like kale, mustard greens and other spring mix. Can you take a close up picture of his face? Just want to see his eyes and nose.

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Oh dont place him anywhere near your tortoise!

 

[Rramagge]

Update

Will take pic in min
Is that to close? Even if they in dif enclosures?
Nd ok sorry I didn't c that u had said that b4, should I feed him after wash or b4?

 

[Jlant85]

RE: Update

I just wouldn't risk it. Since we don't know whats wrong w/ him i would probably separate them a little further. Hows his poop? or have ever even seen him poop?

 

[Rramagge]

Update

He hasn't gone yet and they said they haven't seen him go for a while.
That's why I was thinking the soak ASAP coz I'm guessing when u not been in a while u wouldn't want to eat anyway

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Once I changed the soil do u think I should not put anything else in with it to keep it as sterile as poss for his eyes?

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Bit blurry sorry

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It's like they r fused closed

 

[Jlant85]

RE: Update

Yeah i would start the soak asap. sorry man im ready to fall asleep but i cant and work is killing me.

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his skin looks dry too! his dehydrated.

 

[Rramagge]

Update

Oh really sorry I forget that practically everyone else is in dif time.
Will let u no how he is later

 

[Jlant85]

RE: Update

Lol its all good. im at work so i cant sleep. this is the only thing that's keeping me up!

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So if i happened to type any typos, excuse me. Im just very sleepy!

 

[Rramagge]

Update

Ohhh lol unlucky. Suggestion: Say u r having a private meeting nd sleep

And u no the pic of the torts eyes do u think there any chance they could open?

 

[Rramagge]

Need help (swollen eyes/shell rot?)

As u have prob seen in other posts I some I trying to save a tortoise.

Is this shell rot/ fungus or just v v v dehydrated (I know it's defo dehydrated so he is in baby food soak at the mo)
View attachment 50288View attachment 50289

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Oh and this pic is how bad his eyes are

 

[Jlant85]

Need help

Poor little guy. Ever though of adopting him? I highly recommend it. I would talk to the owner of that tort if I were you. Not to get you in trouble. But apparently he's been neglected.

 

[Yvonne G]

RE: Need help

The way you tell if a tortoise is dehydrated is first looking at the eyes. The eyes will be sunken in. You really can't tell by looking at the shell. I don't see what you're seeing in the picture that has you thinking "fungus." But shell rot/fungus usually starts on the bottom (plastron) from sitting in dirt or wet substrate.

If you don't see any improvement in three days after the baby food soaks, then I suggest the tortoise needs to see a qualified tortoise vet. But don't allow any vitamin A injections.

 

[Rramagge]

Need help

Ok thank u. Tbh I only said shell tort coz u can't c properly in the pic but its v bad.
U can't c the eyes coz he can't open them.
I will c how he is over the next few days

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I know it was dehydrated because the owners said it never drinks and they rarely wash him

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They said he "doesn't like water"
What a load of rubbish

 

[Jlant85]

Need help

Yvonne, the tort can't even open his eyes. I really think he should see a vet but that's not his tort. He's just helping someone out. (Mad props to you bro!)

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Start out with the baby food soak. Make sure the water is warm. Place his food in a warm saucer and don't hover around him while he eats so he don't get frightened. Let him feel comfortable. Keep a temperature of 90+ basking and cooler end at 75.

 

[Sulcata_Sandy]

Need help

Jlant85 is spot on.

Soak in 30 min twice a day in warm water, being careful to not let the temp get to cold. I used my bath tub, and just checked on the water, emptied a bit and refilled with warm. I left him alone most of the time as adding any stress compromises the immune system. So please limit handing.

Make sure his environment is extremely warm...90°. This will not only help is digestion and immune system, but also help kill any possible bacteria. It won't kill all bacteria, but will help.

I agree, a qualified veterinarian is needed. Call around and give them your situation. I've been a tech 20+ years (ugh, just dated myself), and most GOOD practices will work with you. They might discount the exam fee, or have you pay full exam fee but work with you on Rx's. I can help too. So please, at least get him examined so we know what is going on. Thankfully you are doing an excellent job with supportive care.
Get him seen, I'd be happy to give you my number/email and if he needs expensive drugs, I can prob help get them at cost or at least a much better price.

And this goes for anyone on this forum. There are a few other vet techs on this list that I'm sure would love to help as well. I don't work with these guys much, but one of our associates is a reptile expert and we plan to have an exotic side to the practice. Since Mo wandered into our lives, we are also focusing on Torts. I've learned HUGE amounts in the past 2 weeks. Incredible creatures. And they have my heart now.

Blow him a kiss, and please let us know what you decide.
You are an angel. I want to hug you!!!!!


Sandy in Oregon
.....................................................
Schlomo the rescue Sulcata
Dexter and Lola (Basenjis)
Sent from my iPad using TortForum mobile app

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If you don't see any improvement in three days after the baby food soaks, then I suggest the tortoise needs to see a qualified tortoise vet. But don't allow any vitamin A injections.

Why no Vit A? Also, do DVMs seem to just do this regularly?
Curious, especially since we are opening up our practice to these guys now. If the textbook instructs us as part of a treatment protocol, and I say to Dr "you can't give Vit A", he's not going to accept the response of "because I read it online,". LOL

THANKS!!!!!



Sandy in Oregon
.....................................................
Schlomo the rescue Sulcata
Dexter and Lola (Basenjis)
Sent from my iPad using TortForum mobile app

 

[Rramagge]

Need help

Aw thanx guys
It's so hard finding a vet that specialises in tort nd I haven't been able to find one for my own tort yet. If last resort can I tace him to my local vet?
I will keep u all informed and I may b asking more questions (just warning u )
My thermometer/hygrometer still hasn't arrived so I'm using a crappy thermometer at the mo (kind of guess work) I'm trying my best tho

 

[Yvonne G]

RE: Need help

I don't really know why the dosage is wrong, but some vets inject the vitamin a,d,e shot and there is too much vitamin a in it. This causes the turtle/tortoise's skin to slough off. Then it gets infected and the animal usually dies. Vitamin A is one of the vitamins that is fairly easy to get into a tortoise via his food, so the injection isn't really necessary.

 

[Sulcata_Sandy]

Need help

Thanks! I will make a note in our texts about the Vit A.


Sandy in Oregon
.....................................................
Veterinary Technician, 21 years of critter luvin'
Schlomo aka "Mo" the rescue Sulcata, "man without a face"
Dexter and Lola (Basenjis...show dogs extraordinare)

No kids, no husband, just critters and I'm happy.
Sent from my iPad using TortForum mobile app

 

[Rramagge]

Need help

Pics taken after first baby food soak earlier he moved a tiny bit after it which is better than nothing I guess. Hopefully after more soaks tomorrow he will have more strength nd hopefully going to call a vet nd c if we can take him in to b seen

 

[WillTort2]

RE: Please help trying to save tortoise

Good luck.

 

[Jlant85]

RE: Need help

How is his eyes? did he open them at least? Im rooting for you man! LIke what SenjiSandy said, try doing it twice a day. One in the morning and one at night. While he is soaking, that is when i would prep his food (warm up his saucer/food dish and cut up the lettuce or what ever im feeding that day).