My baby has passed but questions remain

mike taylor

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Some times all the good care we give just isn't going to save some . It's all in how they were started . I have no idea who you got it from . But everything I've read sounds like it had the wrong care before you . Breeders seem to cut corners to make a buck . That's why I only buy from people I know and can see how they are cared for . But in saying this some tortioses start out weak . There's nothing anyone can do . In the wild they would die within a day or so .
 

Lesa

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Second guessing everything we did is human nature. I don't believe the outcome would have been different no matter what you did. Tom asked earlier for more info on my little one.
First I will say, I bought 3 hatchlings several years ago from Backwater. They all died. The first 2 I got, 1 passed shortly after I got them. I replaced it. That one passed within a few months. Pepe lived almost a year. He was active, ate great, and ridiculously cute, but never got over 50 grams. He stoped eating, got lethargic and died within a couple of weeks. His shell was thin, it got soft after he stopped eating, and kind of translucent. It sucked!
Narnia's story; I am a beginner breaded. I use the hot humid method to start my babies. I have hatched around 100 babies from 2 females. Narnia is the only one that failed to reach 50 grams within 3 months. Because of my experience, I will not sell a leopard baby until it is at least 50 grams. Narnia is about 8 months old. He is a great eater, but obviously not well. Hier shell is thick and hard. Weight About 44 grams. About 2 months ago, she swelled up, obviously retaining fluid. Went to the vet even though I knew there was nothing to be done. Vet agreed appears to be renal failure. The swelling has come and gone, but she continues to eat. Not very active. I remain hopeful that at some point she will grow and be ok, but know it is unlikely.
It is reasonable to expect that there will be one hatched wrong once in a while. 1 out of 100 is definitely better than 3 out of 3.
I hope you will not blame yourself, and try again some day.
Thanks Jodie. Everything you guys have said is exactly what has happened with my little leopard. He never got over 46 grams no matter how hard I tried. I kept fooling myself if he made it passed a year he would be okay. This is really hard but he was such a joy to have it was still worth it.
 

Gillian M

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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.
So terribly sorry to hear this.

Please try to calm down, though I know that words are easy.

If you need to talk, I am all "listening ears." Just send me a PM (private message).

Take care.
 

Lesa

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So terribly sorry to hear this.

Please try to calm down, though I know that words are easy.

If you need to talk, I am all "listening ears." Just send me a PM (private message).

Take care.
Thank you Gillian,
I am doing okay after talking with everyone here. I was worried I made a mistake in discontinuing the tub feeding and I knew those damn injections were too much. But the "experts" at the vet clinic can make you feel stupid and doubt yourself. I also know he wasn't going to make it to 50 grams so screaming at the vet won't help. Hard lesson learned. Again thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and everyone's kind words. It makes a difference.
 

sibi

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She was getting 2 to 3cc's at one time with her tube feeding and then wanted me to try for 3cc's over a 24 hour period. I was really lucky to get maybe .5cc a couple of times a day. She said for example whatever he ate on Monday he should poop on Wednesday. I was to keep him on a clean towel to collect his poop. He would gain 2 grams with feeding and then lose 2 grams pooping. We never got ahead and he never regained his appetite. I have no clue how long she would have continued. I just couldn't do it anymore. I continued to soaked him and put him in his garden with fresh food and sunshine. Unfortunately he didn't recover but his last days were peaceful.
I'm so sorry you had to go through this. But, in his memory, if you should get another hatchling, get one from Tom and apply all that you've learned here. And, if there are any issues or concerns, bring it to the forum, not a vet. There are members here that have experience far more valuable than most vets out there. Then, you'll find the pleasure of raising another baby that will thrive!
 
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Thank you Gillian,
I am doing okay after talking with everyone here. I was worried I made a mistake in discontinuing the tub feeding and I knew those damn injections were too much. But the "experts" at the vet clinic can make you feel stupid and doubt yourself. I also know he wasn't going to make it to 50 grams so screaming at the vet won't help. Hard lesson learned. Again thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and everyone's kind words. It makes a difference.
I am so sorry for your loss. It's obvious that you loved your baby and did everything humanly possible.
 

Gillian M

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Thank you Gillian,
I am doing okay after talking with everyone here. I was worried I made a mistake in discontinuing the tub feeding and I knew those damn injections were too much. But the "experts" at the vet clinic can make you feel stupid and doubt yourself. I also know he wasn't going to make it to 50 grams so screaming at the vet won't help. Hard lesson learned. Again thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and everyone's kind words. It makes a difference.
You are most welcome.
 
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