I have owned my Russian tortoise, Tank for about a year. Up until a month ago he has been very healthy with a big appetite, but now he seems to have fallen ill. He is lethargic and barely moves, and when I hold him, instead of retreating into his shell he seems very loose. He rarely opens his eyes. He has lost the scales around his nares, has lost weight, his eyes are sunken in and it has been a month since he last ate. Today his left eye was completely swollen shut, but after placing a warm piece of gauze over it and gently wiping it is now opening. I also found a small hole in the top of his shell, even though he could not have fallen in his cage and injured himself.
Here's a summary of my care information and the veterinary attention he has received so far:
His cage is indoors, although when the weather allows he spends a few hours in an enclosure on my apartment balcony. His cage consists of two large connected Rubbermaid bins. He is kept on eco earth (coconut fiber) with a UVB bulb (changed every 6 months) and heat lights. His basking temperature is around 100F, his warm side is around 85F down to 70F on his cool side, and night temperature is 70F. He gets fed daily (organic spring mixes, safe dandelions when I can get them, calcium and vitamin supplementation daily) and he also has fresh hay available to him. I used to soak him every other day, now I am soaking daily as I worry he is dehydrated. There have been no major changes in his life since I adopted him a year ago, and before these health issues he was very active, inquisitive and ate a small "shell bowl" portion almost daily.
When the health issues began, I brought him to the veterinarian, and he had a fecal done (negative) and was put on a course of oral antibiotics (Baytril) which we finished this morning. There has been no visible discharge from his eyes or nose, but our vet suspected a respiratory infection. I am not seeing any improvement in his behavior since we started the antibiotics and I am worried he may have a more serious illness. Any suggestions or advice will be welcome, as I am very worried about Tank and I will do anything possible to help him. I have always prided myself on being a responsible pet owner and only want him to feel better.
Here's a summary of my care information and the veterinary attention he has received so far:
His cage is indoors, although when the weather allows he spends a few hours in an enclosure on my apartment balcony. His cage consists of two large connected Rubbermaid bins. He is kept on eco earth (coconut fiber) with a UVB bulb (changed every 6 months) and heat lights. His basking temperature is around 100F, his warm side is around 85F down to 70F on his cool side, and night temperature is 70F. He gets fed daily (organic spring mixes, safe dandelions when I can get them, calcium and vitamin supplementation daily) and he also has fresh hay available to him. I used to soak him every other day, now I am soaking daily as I worry he is dehydrated. There have been no major changes in his life since I adopted him a year ago, and before these health issues he was very active, inquisitive and ate a small "shell bowl" portion almost daily.
When the health issues began, I brought him to the veterinarian, and he had a fecal done (negative) and was put on a course of oral antibiotics (Baytril) which we finished this morning. There has been no visible discharge from his eyes or nose, but our vet suspected a respiratory infection. I am not seeing any improvement in his behavior since we started the antibiotics and I am worried he may have a more serious illness. Any suggestions or advice will be welcome, as I am very worried about Tank and I will do anything possible to help him. I have always prided myself on being a responsible pet owner and only want him to feel better.