Injured tortoise

[Loraine]

My spur hugged tortoise has been attacked by a fox
It has injured its rear and tail and cracked the under shell
I have taken him to an emergency vet and euthanasia was suggested but I feel I have to give him a final chance with a specialist vet
His tail has been chewed down to the bone and I hate to think of the pain he is having
I am in the UK, London/Kent borders and I am wondering if anyone can recommend a suitable vet
My local vet was very helpful and has suggested one that I am going to try tomorrow but just hoping someone has a recommendation
I am not very optimistic but I have to try everything for him

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hopefully our UK members can recommend a vet. I will tag some @Littleredfootbigredheart @zolasmum @MaNaAk @Lyn W

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Also, take a look at our vet list:

United Kingdom

** NOTE: SOME OF THE VET HOSPITALS LISTED WERE NOT GIVEN TO US WITH THE COMMUNITY OR CITY, SO THEY ARE NOT IN ANY SPECIAL ORDER OR PLACE HAROLD WOOD, ROMFORD, WSSEX, RM3 0QS Lawton & Stoakes Veterinary Surgeons 8-12 Fitzilian Avenue http://www.exoticvets.net/ HAVERFORDWEST Lance Jepson and...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[MaNaAk]

Dear @Loraine,

Daisy (1942 - 2022) my Greek Spur-thighed Tortoise was attacked by a fox during lockdown. I live in Essex with Daisy's former partner Jacky and I contacted Medivet and got her an appointment the following day. Daisy was treated for wounds that may/may not have been associated with the attack but she developed lumps which eventually led to a diagnosis of TB. My vets were wonderful and we aimed to get Daisy well enough to see a specialist.Sadly that wasn't to be but you could ask your vet about this and also make sure that they your little one for lumps. I was told that it is rare for tortoises to get TB but we know that Daisy contracted from the fox. Ask your vet about this specialist in London and also you might want to look at local tortoise groups.

Natrah

PS: Thankyou for copying me into this thread @The_Four_Toed_Edward. I'm linking @zolasmum, @,Moggymad and @Lyn W as well.

 

[MaNaAk]

Just want that tortoises recover slowly and I hope that your good as he maybe specialises in exotics.

 

[TammyJ]

Good luck with getting an emergency appointment with a specialist vet!
If you have to wait, you could post some pictures of the wounded tortoise and maybe we could help you with something to do in the meantime?

 

[MaNaAk]

Just want that tortoises recover slowly and I hope that your good as he maybe specialises in exotics.

I'm sorry but I've left out several words but anyway I just want to say that I hope your vet, good as he may be, specialises in exotics.

 

[Loraine]

Thank you all for your replies. I have today managed to get an appointment with Medi vet in Ashford and they have a couple of vets that specialise in exotics. I have been told that there is no reason why he shouldn’t recover if all goes well. I was so relieved to hear this and also so glad that I did not decide on the euthanasia option with the other vets yesterday He will need quite a bit of care for awhile, but hopefully he will recover and lay a normal life again.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thank you all for your replies. I have today managed to get an appointment with Medi vet in Ashford and they have a couple of vets that specialise in exotics. I have been told that there is no reason why he shouldn’t recover if all goes well. I was so relieved to hear this and also so glad that I did not decide on the euthanasia option with the other vets yesterday He will need quite a bit of care for awhile, but hopefully he will recover and lay a normal life again.

Tortoises are very resilient but heal slowly. If there are open wounds, you will need to set him up a secure hospital enclosure with no substrate in order to keep the wounds clean.

 

[Lyn W]

So sorry to o hear of your torts injuries. I'm in South Wales so wouldn't be able to recommend any vets but I'm so glad you've found so someone. and I really hope he can be helped.

 

[MaNaAk]

Thank you all for your replies. I have today managed to get an appointment with Medi vet in Ashford and they have a couple of vets that specialise in exotics. I have been told that there is no reason why he shouldn’t recover if all goes well. I was so relieved to hear this and also so glad that I did not decide on the euthanasia option with the other vets yesterday He will need quite a bit of care for awhile, but hopefully he will recover and lay a normal life again.

Oh I'm so pleased. Personally alarm did start ringing when the other vet mentioned Euthanasia that soon and I did wonder about them being an exotics vet.

Natrah

 

[MaNaAk]

Oh I'm so pleased. Personally alarm did start ringing when the other vet mentioned Euthanasia that soon and I did wonder about them being an exotics vet.

Natrah

I think that @Cathie G may be able to contribute because her little had an issue with his shell.

 

[COmtnLady]

Please post pictures. If we can see exactly what is going some of our most experienced members can offer better suggestions. Were stitches put in? How did they clean it?

@Yvonne G @Tom @zovick @Maggie3fan

 

[Cathie G]

My little Russian had open slits on the top of his carapace. Sapphire's problems were from a whole different issue then your tortoise though. Sapphire's was a nutritional deficiency. Your's is an injury. So it'll take getting that healing up first. I can't really offer advice on that. But you are on the best site to get that kind of advice. I can say it'll still take extra good nutrition for the long haul. It takes years for them to heal where you can actually see it. One day I looked and realized his shell really had filled in. I was thrilled. I'll be hoping for you and your tortoise

 

[Lyn W]

Any news on your little guy?

 

[Loraine]

Hi, still nursing him, his injuries look a lot better but he hasn’t eaten or passed poo yet
Very difficult to give him the oral meds!
Back at the vets on Monday
Thank you for your concern

 

[MaNaAk]

Hi, still nursing him, his injuries look a lot better but he hasn’t eaten or passed poo yet
Very difficult to give him the oral meds!
Back at the vets on Monday
Thank you for your concern

Don't forget that tortoises make slow recoveries. I'm so glad that he's not being euthanised.

Natrah and Jacky (the Greek Spur-thighed Tortoise)

 

[MoggyMad]

Keeping fingers crossed that your tortoise recovers. He must be in shock still poor fellow. Keep us posted

 

[Lyn W]

Such a worry for you. It's very difficult if he's not eating, but they can last longer without food than water - are you able to soak him yet?
They can't resist strawberries and although they are usually forbidden food it may be worth tempting him just so that you can add his meds to one (if it's liquid). Cucumber is also a favourite. Try very thin slices without the skin and seeds - I use the sides. . That may help hydrate him because it's watery. It does act as a laxative though so not too much at a time.

 

[COmtnLady]

Please post pictures of the injuries. We might be able to come up with something more helpful if we could see the injury.

Don't allow the Vet to talk you into any vitamin shots. They do more damage than good.