This is a post from Julie Maguire at the Turtle Rescue of Long Island. I don't know if I'm posting this in the right place, but I just wanted everyone to see it. Very sad Sulcata story.
In all the years taking in rescues, this is the first time I've had a
> Sulcata tortoise I've taken in die here. I've had some in terrible, awful,
> neglected conditions, but this little one was probably one of the worst.
> Even worse than Myrtle died almost two weeks after he was adopted to a
> vet. This little one was only about 4" and the shell was a Lego shape and
> so soft t was unbelievable. The person that brought it in said her
> grandchildren found it. It had the classic 'vitashell' look to it's shell
> and all the signs of anything the keeper could have done wrong they did.
> Back legs were not moving but slightly responsive which is indicative of
> impaction. He was brought in a box with small fish type gravel so I
> suspected impaction immediately. Was set to bring to the vet for an x-ray to
> confirm but he died before I could even get him there. He hadn't eaten in
> ten days prior to them getting the tortoise here. Poor thing had all the
> symptoms of impaction. All I can think is he is no longer suffering, but I'm
> angry that it had to suffer at all. I took a video of the shell because a
> photo alone does not show how soft a shell is. Please don't let your
> tortoise ever get like this. Give them all they need to live a healthy life.
> http://www.turtlerescues.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=7646
> --
In all the years taking in rescues, this is the first time I've had a
> Sulcata tortoise I've taken in die here. I've had some in terrible, awful,
> neglected conditions, but this little one was probably one of the worst.
> Even worse than Myrtle died almost two weeks after he was adopted to a
> vet. This little one was only about 4" and the shell was a Lego shape and
> so soft t was unbelievable. The person that brought it in said her
> grandchildren found it. It had the classic 'vitashell' look to it's shell
> and all the signs of anything the keeper could have done wrong they did.
> Back legs were not moving but slightly responsive which is indicative of
> impaction. He was brought in a box with small fish type gravel so I
> suspected impaction immediately. Was set to bring to the vet for an x-ray to
> confirm but he died before I could even get him there. He hadn't eaten in
> ten days prior to them getting the tortoise here. Poor thing had all the
> symptoms of impaction. All I can think is he is no longer suffering, but I'm
> angry that it had to suffer at all. I took a video of the shell because a
> photo alone does not show how soft a shell is. Please don't let your
> tortoise ever get like this. Give them all they need to live a healthy life.
> http://www.turtlerescues.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=7646
> --
. It breaks my heart to see that. RIP little one 
