help! very lethargic baby redfoot

[Avocado034]

Hey- I got 2 baby redfoots today. One of the redfoots ate a bit of strawberry today, has clear eyes, and has walked around a little. The second one has swollen eyes that he won't open and does not respond to stimulus. If I touch his legs he will withdraw a little, but mostly he is just sitting in the place I put him.
Heat- around 85-90F
humidity- 90-95%
right now he is under a night-time heat lamp, during the day I have a "basking" lamp w/UVA (UVB is not a problem with redfoots or so i've been told/read)
1/2 container is spagnum moss, misted, with hide,
1/2 container is "clean" (no substrate) under heat lamp.
2 shallow water dishes avaliable

Called the breeder and said that he might just be stressed... but he is REALLY lethargic/unresponsive- i'm not sure he's moved since he's been here.

He arrived by 1 hour car ride- was not shipped

thank you!

 

[hystrix]

Most tortoises need some time to settle in to a new environment. One of my hatchling didn't eat for two days when I first got her. How did he look when you saw him at the breeder's when you pick them up? Have you soaked them in a shallow luke warm water? If you feel that he's really lethargic, I would take him to a vet right away. You want to be safe than sorry.

I hope he is doing better today. Let us know how he is doing.
Good luck.

Em

 

[Avocado034]

Thank you so much.... The other baby is still more active, but this guy opened his eyes today when I soaked him and has been wandering around his cage a little, so although is not as active as the other baby, he is better

 

[hystrix]

YAY. I'm so glad your baby is doing better

Em

 

[Yvonne G]

The second one has swollen eyes that he won't open and does not respond to stimulus. If I touch his legs he will withdraw a little, but mostly he is just sitting in the place I put him.

He arrived by 1 hour car ride- was not shipped

thank you!

You need to talk to the breeder and ask to exchange the baby for a different one. Swollen eyes don't just happen over night. This baby is sick and needs veterinary care to determine what is wrong. You should start out with a healthy baby, and not be responsible for taking a sick baby to the vet. An hour's drive is not that much. Get another baby and let the breeder tend to the sick one.

Yvonne