PLs help me... newbie here~~

[DemonDrug95]

few weeks ago i got a star tortoise hatchling..it was about 100$$..on that day when i saw him the first time,i knew i must get him cause he was so active and playful...but after i bought him,the next day he suddenly sleep alot and doesn't want to eat....all day long just sitting there basking...few weeks later i notice he got some soft shell...he was unactive not playful and whenever i picks him up he would just be in sleep mode until i let it soak he would wake up and drink...the problem is that i think my tortoise has parasite cause its 2-3 weeks he dint eat...i dont know wat to do.. im so worried...i ask the vet who was a specialist he said that it was just a vitamin deficcency...then the vet gave some vitamin through the needle..the vet say it might hurt ur tortoise ...i say ok...then the tortoise would just keep sleeping..

it was in a good home where there is uvb light,newspaper as bedding,soaked daily twice(cause the vet says so),green veggies but refuse to eat..what should i do??

 

[Flametorch]

I hate to put this way, but have you ever read tortoisetrust articles? They often mention stories of people purchasing tortoises out of impulse, and the result of a new tortoise keeper with little knowledge. I never have had a star hatchling tortoise, however, I know that they usually don't sell for just 100$. Where did you get him? What specific vegetables did you feed him? How about the average temp in his enclosure, what vitamin supplements were you giving him earlier, and does he live in a vivarium or a open pen? If you can even post a picture. But do you know the basic care for tortoises? Many tortoise sites recommend NOT giving tortoises to the younger group, and I'm guessing you're 13-14?

 

[desertsss]

I think you are doing everything right as a noob except learning about your tort prior to getting it.
I did the same thing.
First things first, Are you sure you have a star tort? 100 dollars does sound very low, unless you got from a friend. At first I thought mine were sulcata's, turns out they were desert tortoises. Second, how well do you know this place where you bought him/her? Do you know how healthy it was before you bought it? Third, what is the temperature in the home for your little guy. This is the time for hibernation for many torts, and if temp is low, he won't want to eat, move or anything. When I first got my torts it took two days of a lot of warmth from where they were for them to eat, drink, even walk around. Uv and all is important, but without the temp, they will not want to move around. Do you like to walk around if it is cold?
I only say this because u mentioned uv and bedding and soaking, but no heat source. I am unsure of how warm it is to be for a new baby star tort, but if you have no heat source, it will want nothing to do with you. I suggest a heat lamp, prob one that will make 80-90 degrees. constant interaction, soaks, and healthy diet. The vitamin deficiency might be true, but can be dealt with other than injections. As soon as temp is regulated (get a gauge in there), your little buddy will be up and running around, with that added energy he will be wanting to eat, in which you can add vitamin supplements to his food, soaks, and you will be good to go.
Not sure why Flame would say something like you must be 13 or 14, I got my torts at 25. Knew nothing, but they were worse off where they were. Do everything you can do, and that is the best you can do. If the temp doesn't work def take back to the vet, but just sounds to me like your little guy doesn't want to get out of bed cuz he is too cold.

http://www.popularpets.net/turtles/care-sheets/star-tortoise.php

This is just one site I found about star tortoise care. But I would def make sure that's the tort you got. either way, temp is a big deal. And as a noob, you always gotta post pics. Good luck hope I helped. Also, the more you post on this site, the more you will learn. It is also great to read through threads others have posted since there might be good answers there as well.
One more thing, humidity is a big deal too. But I would think first get your little guy eating, then worry about controlling the humidity.

 

[mctlong]

Have you treated the parasites or does he still have them? A heavy load of parasites can prevent him from absorbing nutrients in his food which can lead to a vitamin deficiency. A severe vitamin deficiency can result in a soft shell. If you have not treated the parasites, I'd recommend doing so.

It sounds like you're doing your best to take care of this animal. The fact that you're soaking him and offering him UVB shows that you have done some research. You also took him to a vet as soon as you noticed a problem which is more than alot of owners would have done. There are some wonderful people on this forum who are experts in caring for star tortoises who can offer advice on temps, substrate, food etc.

I hope your hatchling pulls through. Good luck and keep us posted.


Flametorch, why did you assume DemonDrug95 was 13 or 14? Is it because he has a '95' in his name? People of all ages ask newbie questions on this forum. I don't see anything in his post hat would indicate that he is 13 or 14.

 

[Yvonne G]

to the forum!

I don't know anything about the Star tortoise, so I don't have any words of wisdom for you.

I know its hard to find the correct products for a tortoise's care in Indonesia, or Malasia, or where ever you are, and that the Stars are a lot cheaper there than they are here.

I hope you are able to get this tortoise back into good health.

Good luck!

 

[DemonDrug95]

yes im 14..and i told the vet that the tortoise might have parasites but the vet says that ''nah he couldn't have parasites...'' so i just follow wat the vet ask me to do..100$$is quite high in south east asia...malaysia..last time my father bought two one is female and one is male ..the male cost 40$ and the female 70$$..but now it risen to 100$$ since there are rare nowdays..:C my poor poor baby.. feel so helpless cant do anything..so sad...


also he lives indoor at night and outdoor at sunny days...but since he was sick i think i would be putting him indoors whlie the other happy torts outside..im very sure its a star his shell look dull he cant even move his arm ...if i soak him he would move and drag his hind legs..

 

[samstar]

Please take it's poop to the vet and test for worms and protozoa parasites

 

[rad8ted92083]

You might want to keep the baby at 83 degrees at night as well as letting him bask

 

[DemonDrug95]

no eat..... no poop.......nno way to getting it to eat..vet says should force feed..

 

[mctlong]

By "force feed," do you mean feed by IV?

 

[Luvthemtorts]

Please post photos of your setup as well as temperatures, light cycles and humidity so we can offer some educated advice. Until then its just speculation because we have no real information to go on.
You also mentioned it was outside with your "happy tortoises". Could you explain that one please?
Lack of appetite is a sign of another problem and not an illness in itself. I'd be frantically going over every aspect of your setup and husbandry if I were you before its too late.

 

[DemonDrug95]

sorry luvthemtorts...i dun have any camera in my family...no mctlong they are force feeded by me using a paperclip to pry its mouth and put blended veggies in it...then it will vomit..

 

[Luvthemtorts]

Despite not having a camera you can take the time to explain your setup and husbandry in detail. There is a very real sense of urgency as it sounds your tortoise is nearing death. If it is indeed vomitting instead of simply pushing out the food placed in its mouth then it is in VERY bad shape and more than likely past help.
May be too late already but if you give us some in depth detail perhaps we can try to help. Without them I'm afraid its just a matter of time.
I do not mean to sound insensitive but if you want help then give the necessary information needed to try and help.

 

[DemonDrug95]

the baby lives in an outdoor pen where it was hot and dry with two other tortoise..two star and 1 leopard tort...the temp is mostly 28-30 while the humidity is about 80%...i gave every tortoise eat greens like kang kung,mustard green and etc etc...both are healthy and happ while the baby is very sleepy and very very tired looking...the bedding is coco husk(i bought at pet store) and whenever it rains all the torts are moved indoors so that it doesnt get repirotory probs...(26c outside at times)i gave them hide boxes....hope this will giv every information...

 

[samstar]

One piece of advise, do not mix your Star tortoises with other species like your Leopard tortoise.

 

[DemonDrug95]

thx for everyones help but too bad it died at 12:34am today....poor baby...T.T and why shouldnt i mix with both star and leopard??is it that it will get diesease?or they interbreed???O.O

 

[Luvthemtorts]

Sorry for the loss.
Mixing species is generally frowned upon ESPECIALLY with Elegans. They have shown time and time again to have a very poor ability to withstand foreign pathogens that other tortoise species may be symptomatically carrying.
Very susceptible to Hexamita, Mycoplasma and other little nasties.

 

[mlocke4548]

God it seems to me everytime someone from Asia or another country gets a star tortoise it gets sick and the people who own them don't have a clue as to how to take care of them and neither do the vets they take them to. My advice is stop buying star torts in Asia. Leave them alone. And if you must have one then do some research. Star torts are not for beginers or people who just see them and think they are soooo cute. And I don't mean to single out Asia or other countries but I hear ghe same story every time. Bottom line is don't buy tortoises especially stars if you don't know what your doing. Do your research and if you must buy a tort try to get it from a respectable and responsible breeder.

 

[Yvonne G]

I was under the impression that it was the leopard that died????? I think it was on another thread?

Upon re-reading this thread I think I'm understanding that the Star he posted about in this thread has died, but there is another thread by this poster that tells us his leopard tortoise has also died. Post #18 - http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-11062.html

 

[DemonDrug95]

this is because my star was sick when i bought him took it to a vet and no luck...the leopard is that i want to go to a vet but theres no vet here..so i cant do anythingi did some research b4 buying them...tons of them...even seperating them for 1 month before putting together..i thought that star and leopards share same stuffs but dint think that they will get diesease..

currently i have 2 indians and 1 srilankan torts so should i keep both of them together?or should i separate?they are happy now..they are very active and playful..even bites my hand so cute~~their nose and mouth are not pale they are pink..
but still im really sad my two torts died..they are so cute i even burry them and make rip stones for them in my backyard..