Please helpp!!! (baby with closed eyes)

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

I just got 3 baby desert and one of them hasnt opened his eyes nd it isnt moving it was on the car ride home but not any more. Is it sick ??

please and thank you

 

[diamondbp]

Please helpp!!!

Help should be responding soon,, have you soaked it in Luke warm water yet?

 

[Yvonne G]

RE: Please helpp!!!

Looks like a pretty sick little baby.

First thing I see wrong with your picture is the substrate. Alfalfa pellets is about the worst substrate you can have for baby tortoises that need to be kept moist.

Tortoise eggs hatch during a monsoon season...yes, even desert tortoises. So when the eggs hatch, the ground is moist. Then they stay hidden, either underground, or in the tall grass or under bushes - hence in moisture again.

Try soaking this baby in warm water with a few drops of liquid bird vitamins added to the water. Leave him in there for about a half hour. And once you get the substrate changed to something you can keep moist, I think you'll see a big improvement in his demeanor. (cypress mulch, coco coir & top soil, orchid bark, etc)

 

[wellington]

BIG DITTO Also, can you give us a run down of the enclosure you are housing him in? Second, please read Toms threads below for the best sully husbandry.

 

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

Okay well I had to get this because the lady I got it from is a tortoise club nd I had to get the pellets. I will get top soil but one eye is partially open nd one isnt I will try nd soak him

please and thank you

 

[wellington]

If she is a tortoise club member, that's one sad club that they don't know better then to use those pellets. When you get all the correct info from this forum, you should join that club and educate them. Very, very sad they don't know better

 

[SANDRA_MEISSNEST]

yep that sounds like a horrible club to me too
yes soak that little one and also how are your temperatures in there, does he has a water dish what kind of food and also hiding spots
you have to change the Substrate asap . and please make a picture of the enclosure

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[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

He barely started taking a few bites just now and ima change it to top soil and its a 2ft wide nd length nd 1 foot high tank
Temps I dont know im going to get a thermometer right now

please and thank you

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please and thank you

 

[SANDRA_MEISSNEST]

Tom just wrote you about your lamp in your other threat

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[Levi the Leopard]

I've shared in a few of your threads that the coil UV bulb was bad news. They have a reputation of causing eye problems and "eyes closed" is usually the first sign.

You've been encouraged to soak and change the substrate.

Have you considered more about the basking light? The under gravel heater will not help these babies get the temps they need to digest food and be healthy.

Sent from my TFOapp

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Yvonne is super right and super experienced so please do what she says, immediately.
And yes, those coil lights need to be gone-gone-gone.
As for a tortoise club member telling you you must use rabbit pellets, shame on her and whatever club she belongs to.
Hot and humid = healthy and happy.
Those babies need spa time. Nice warm water under warm lights. Ahhhh, spaaaa!
If you go to Home Depot, they have organic garden soil. Do not buy or use the stuff that has fertilizers added to it.

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Here is a good closed chambers thread for you to also read:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/post-741697.html

 

[Tom]

I wrote up a whole care sheet for you in your other thread.

They need a basking spot.

You need to turn the coil bulb off.

And they need to be hydrated.

There is little room for error with these babies. Make a mistake and don't correct it quickly and they can easily die.

 

[sibi]

Sorry to see such a cute baby so dry looking. I would give him two or even three warm baths a day for a few days until his eyes open and he's actively eating and moving around. Get a temp gun from HomeDepot so you can check temps all around the enclosure. A temp gauge is ok, but a temp gun is a must. Keep us posted.

 

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

Everyone thank you for one. And i will go get a uvb that is a long one not compact. I will soak him but he does go to the water and get out and walk around a little but not normally. Where should the water be placed ? in the center ? Heat? Or shade area? I have been trying everything u guys say but its been hard to figure out what substrate to get I think once tom replies on my other topic I will 99.9% go get the coco coir asap when I get paid. I got a basking light the reptile professional gave me its heating up and they have the water so thats good for now. Im trying everything I can. I will bathe him again

please and thank you

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Babies are so very fragile. But you have everyone's support. Just ask, and do, as quickly as possible.
You can do this! We're with ya! Cool that he is eating a little. : )

 

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

Also where should he sleep ? He keeps walking to the heat side and sleeping. Its might time now time to turn all the lights off. Should I keep him there ? Or move him with his brothers or sisters under the hiding? ?

please and thank you

 

[Tom]

I'd just leave him be.

If you get them out for some sunshine a couple of times a week, you won't need any indoor UV. Just the heat lamp.

I like to put the water toward the warm side.

 

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

Okay thank you I hope it gets better maybe I should buy one bulb which is the power sun from zoo med I saw its a UVB and a heat lamp? Just a thought.

please and thank you

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Should I keep the heat light in all night ? I might have to its 81.6 it dropped from 90 when I turned it off at 10 and its 10:15 now. Should I bring the heat a little lower its not really getting warm just room temp

please and thank you

 

[ascott]

You can use a ceramic heat emitter (can be expensive if you are on a budget right at this moment) or you can use a black night heat light or an infrared night heat bulb---whichever you choose to use will be effective to offer night heat so if the tort gets the desire he can move towards the warmth as well as it will keep the night temp steady..

If your baby is under the weather then the night temps should remain at no less than 80 degrees...

If you do dampen the substrate (when you change it out)you will also need to keep the temps no less than 80 at all times along with providing a basking spot of 90-100 degrees...

If your budget does not allow for a substrate change right now...please get some clean dirt from outside---free of ants, free of pesticides ...this is a tort that thrives with earth substrate or as close to that type as possible...

 

[New Desert Tortoise Mommy]

Im soaking them in luke warm water heres a picture of them. Also they press there necks up against the tank or whereever they are is that normal?

please and thank you