Lesa
Member
I have read almost every thread on here from the care sheets, beginners mistakes, enclosures etc. I have done more research on care than I did when pregnant with my son. I have three beautiful healthy torts so I believe I have been a good caretaker. That being said I had a little leopard who just didn't grow. He was a really good eater and very active just small. When a friend lost a tort due to parasites I thought I would go ahead and have mine checked. His fecal was negative and the vet wasn't as concerned about his small size (46 grams at a year old) as she was his density. She said he felt light and airy if that makes sense. Possibly his organs were just not developing. He was too small to get blood for a blood panel so no answers that way.
She gave him three injections (vitamin D, B12 and calcium) to try to jump start his growth. Well after the injections he completely stopped eating. I tried the soaks recommended on here to hydrate him and stimulate his appetite. The vet pretty much said they were useless and all they would do is give me a sticky tort. She started force feeding him and showed me how to do feedings at home. I brought him back to the vet almost everyday for three weeks for her to tube feed and she kept giving him more injections. I also did feedings several times a day which were a nightmare. I cried so much and felt as if I were torturing him. Into the fourth week with no response I decided not to continue with the force feedings. For a week he maintained his weight and seemed to rally. I couldn't catch him eating but he was pooping well. The vet said poop out meant something was going in. But this week he took a drastic turn and faded fast. He just passed away today. I am broken hearted of course and want answers.
I know something was probably wrong from the start and maybe his little organs would have given out eventually. But those injections seemed to shock his system. Has anyone had anything similar happen? I thought once he passed a year old he was just going to be small but okay. Did I make a huge mistake taking him to the vet? Does anyone know the survival rates of hatchlings? Is there a certain percentage who just have defects from the start? No matter what you do they aren't going to survive? Any answers or opinions please. As a tortoise keeper do you just have to accept the fact that they are fragile and there are just risks? I need something to help me through this grief. Thank you for listening.
She gave him three injections (vitamin D, B12 and calcium) to try to jump start his growth. Well after the injections he completely stopped eating. I tried the soaks recommended on here to hydrate him and stimulate his appetite. The vet pretty much said they were useless and all they would do is give me a sticky tort. She started force feeding him and showed me how to do feedings at home. I brought him back to the vet almost everyday for three weeks for her to tube feed and she kept giving him more injections. I also did feedings several times a day which were a nightmare. I cried so much and felt as if I were torturing him. Into the fourth week with no response I decided not to continue with the force feedings. For a week he maintained his weight and seemed to rally. I couldn't catch him eating but he was pooping well. The vet said poop out meant something was going in. But this week he took a drastic turn and faded fast. He just passed away today. I am broken hearted of course and want answers.
I know something was probably wrong from the start and maybe his little organs would have given out eventually. But those injections seemed to shock his system. Has anyone had anything similar happen? I thought once he passed a year old he was just going to be small but okay. Did I make a huge mistake taking him to the vet? Does anyone know the survival rates of hatchlings? Is there a certain percentage who just have defects from the start? No matter what you do they aren't going to survive? Any answers or opinions please. As a tortoise keeper do you just have to accept the fact that they are fragile and there are just risks? I need something to help me through this grief. Thank you for listening.