Found a baby, shell damaged, please help

lacrime

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Hi all, I just found this little one and its shell is damaged. Baby hardly moves and keeps opening mouth. Can you please help me. It looks like the shell is water damaged and there’s water inside. I’ll try and post a photo.

i’ve attached the photos.
G.

ps. I hope this is the right place to post this, sorry I was trying as quick as I can
 

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Jacqui

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Oh wow! That looks deep and dangerous. It needs to be seen by a Veterinarian.
 

KarenSoCal

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Yes, he needs an exotics vet ASAP!
There's a very good chance that his lungs have been damaged, causing the open mouth breathing.

Put him in an aquarium or such...not very large. Get some light on him to warm him. You should try to soak him in some warm water, but don't get the water in the wound.

What part of the world are you in? Is he a native species to your area?

@Yvonne G
 

lacrime

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@Jacqui @KarenSoCal Thank you both for replying as quick as you did. Unfortunately the little one has passed away.

I’ve been on the phone ever since I posted here, trying to find an exotic vet which was very hard. I finally got a number from our vet where I take my dog to, and contacted a more qualified vet but they weren’t available until some time later despite my pleas that this was possibly an emergency what with the tort moving so little and possibly with a respiratory disease-I know this from one my babies who had this way back when and we got over it with this forum’s help. When the little tort stopped moving and I found a bug on it, I gave them another call and took it to another vet to determine what’s what. They told me it was probably a crow which happens to a lot of animals, and we probably found it right when it was about to die. They said the internal organs were damaged from crows as well, I don’t know. I wish we could’ve seen the little one earlier, it’s an area I never expect to find a tortoise in.

I’m sorry this was long, it all happened in the span of 45 minutes or so and I’m so sorry that I couldn’t do more. Thank you again for replying, showing your support. I’m grateful. May the little one be at peace now.

Gokce
 

lacrime

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@Jacqui @KarenSoCal Thank you both for replying as quick as you did. Unfortunately the little one has passed away.

I’ve been on the phone ever since I posted here, trying to find an exotic vet which was very hard. I finally got a number from our vet where I take my dog to, and contacted a more qualified vet but they weren’t available until some time later despite my pleas that this was possibly an emergency what with the tort moving so little and possibly with a respiratory disease-I know this from one my babies who had this way back when and we got over it with this forum’s help. When the little tort stopped moving and I found a bug on it, I gave them another call and took it to another vet to determine what’s what. They told me it was probably a crow which happens to a lot of animals, and we probably found it right when it was about to die. They said the internal organs were damaged from crows as well, I don’t know. I wish we could’ve seen the little one earlier, it’s an area I never expect to find a tortoise in.

I’m sorry this was long, it all happened in the span of 45 minutes or so and I’m so sorry that I couldn’t do more. Thank you again for replying, showing your support. I’m grateful. May the little one be at peace now.

Gokce
I forgot to say that in the meantime I took your advice-also from past experience with my own torts- and put the little one in warm water and in a place where there was sun to keep it warm.
 

Jacqui

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Sorry, but I pretty much expected this from the way the picture looked and it having breathing issues. Doesn't make it easier, but you gave it your best.
 

lacrime

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Sorry, but I pretty much expected this from the way the picture looked and it having breathing issues. Doesn't make it easier, but you gave it your best.
@Jacqui Thank you. I was hoping things looked worse than they were but unfortunately it wasn’t the case. I wish we’d found it much earlier and was able to do something to save the little one. Thank you for all the advice.
 

Lyn W

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So sorry he's gone, but thanks for trying to help him.
 

lacrime

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That's too bad. However, it was probably for the best. Likely a vet would have suggested putting him down.
Thank you for caring and trying.
It is sooooo hard sometimes to do the right thing. You did your best. Thank you for trying.
Thank you both @wellington and @Mrs.Jennifer It really hits hard when you lose a life, especially one who was just starting, and I wish I could’ve found him/her earlier but all I can do now is hope the little one is at peace now.
 

TaylorTortoise

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Hi all, I just found this little one and its shell is damaged. Baby hardly moves and keeps opening mouth. Can you please help me. It looks like the shell is water damaged and there’s water inside. I’ll try and post a photo.

i’ve attached the photos.
G.

ps. I hope this is the right place to post this, sorry I was trying as quick as I can
@Tom @Yvonne G
 

Yvonne G

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I'm sorry, but there really wasn't anything you could do for that baby. I'm afraid his lungs were damaged. He had been pecked at by a bird. My advice would have been for you to euthanize him and put him out of his misery.
 

lacrime

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I'm sorry, but there really wasn't anything you could do for that baby. I'm afraid his lungs were damaged. He had been pecked at by a bird. My advice would have been for you to euthanize him and put him out of his misery.
Thank you @Yvonne G , it looks like I got there just in time to see him through his last hour or so. I’m just so sorry this happened, wish I could’ve gotten to him/her much earlier. I just hope the little one is at peace now.
I’m now looking up that same place every time we take our walk with my dog, also let the gardeners know to look out for any tortoises and gotten their word that I’ll be the first one to contact if they ever do.
 

TaylorTortoise

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I'm sorry, but there really wasn't anything you could do for that baby. I'm afraid his lungs were damaged. He had been pecked at by a bird. My advice would have been for you to euthanize him and put him out of his misery.
I did not realize that there were additional comments. Thanks for commenting back anyways though @Yvonne G
 

TaylorTortoise

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Thank you @Yvonne G , it looks like I got there just in time to see him through his last hour or so. I’m just so sorry this happened, wish I could’ve gotten to him/her much earlier. I just hope the little one is at peace now.
I’m now looking up that same place every time we take our walk with my dog, also let the gardeners know to look out for any tortoises and gotten their word that I’ll be the first one to contact if they ever do.
It looks like an animal or bird got ahold of him/her. Where are you located? Are those type of tortoises native to your area? I wonder if it was someone's pet.
 

lacrime

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It looks like an animal or bird got ahold of him/her. Where are you located? Are those type of tortoises native to your area? I wonder if it was someone's pet.
@Taylorlynn48 Yes, there are a lot of crows flying about here, the vet told me it could’ve been them who did the damage. Apparently they’ve seen it before.
I don’t think it was anyone’s pet since the place I found him/her is a large common area, not close to anyone’s home. I’m currently in Istanbul and never seen one around here before. I also live somewhere south where there’s a lot of humidity and heat and there they’re very common. I have three :) But never seen one here, I was so surprised.
Keeping an eye out for any more in the future!
 
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