Quick advice needed please (tortoise got cold)

[fosters9903]

I feel like the worse tortoise mom ever! I did not know that the temps were going to drop into the 50's last night. I leave my red foot out during the summer when temps are above 65. I know that being super busy should not be an excuse but man we have been so busy and I didn't get home til late. When I went to bed it was 66, when I got up it was only 56, I brought her in and put her under a heat lamp. Her eyes were a little watery looking and she was, as expected, sluggish. How worried should I be? I have really bad anxiety and I am on the verge of a panic attack I love all the advice I get from y'all and wanted to know if I should panic or just let her heat up and if y'all think she will be ok!

 

[wellington]

I would not panic yet. Let her get warm, give a nice warm soak too, keeping her warm the whole time your soaking. Then I would not let her be out in temps lower then 80-85 for about a week and keep a close eye on her, checking for nose discharge, eyes running or any noises coming from breathing that also looks like it has changed or is labored. If any of these signs show up, then a vet visit is needed.

 

[fosters9903]

I would not panic yet. Let her get warm, give a nice warm soak too, keeping her warm the whole time your soaking. Then I would not let her be out in temps lower then 80-85 for about a week and keep a close eye on her, checking for nose discharge, eyes running or any noises coming from breathing that also looks like it has changed or is labored. If any of these signs show up, then a vet visit is needed.

I will do these things. She hates to be soaked so I will wait til later in the day once she isn't pissed at me! I will keep her inside for the next few days, because its only going to be in the mid 80's here. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Jodie]

I agree, keep her extra warm. Extra hydration to counter the increased heat. I would do this longer than a week. 3 or 4. It takes them a long time to get sick, and a long time to recover.

 

[fosters9903]

I agree, keep her extra warm. Extra hydration to counter the increased heat. I would do this longer than a week. 3 or 4. It takes them a long time to get sick, and a long time to recover.

Her eyes are no longer watery. I soaked her for a while, she ate really good, Now that shes been in since this morning under a heat lamp, she seems as normal as she was yesterday. Do you think she is sick after only one night of cool temps?

 

[wellington]

No I don't. But I would make sure she doesn't get another cold night, keep her nights around 80 for a week or so. They can take a lot more thrn we think and every little bit of a watery nose isn't always more then just a little runny nose. If your day temps are mid 80's she can go out for the day, just bring her into a warm night time enclosure.

 

[fosters9903]

No I don't. But I would make sure she doesn't get another cold night, keep her nights around 80 for a week or so. They can take a lot more than we think and every little bit of a watery nose isn't always more then just a little runny nose. If your day temps are mid 80's she can go out for the day, just bring her into a warm night time enclosure.

Thanks, in the past I've realized it was cooler in the low 60's and I have went out and got her. Then I put her in a warm enclosure and never notice any watery eyes or sluggishness. But since she stayed outside all night I panicked. Having a panic disorder means I panic a lot so I wanted to reach out and see what others thought. I am currently teaching a vacation bible school for our church so tomorrow is the last day/night of that. I planto leave Mrs T inside until Saturday so I have complete control of her temperatures. Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[wellington]

Thanks, in the past I've realized it was cooler in the low 60's and I have went out and got her. Then I put her in a warm enclosure and never notice any watery eyes or sluggishness. But since she stayed outside all night I panicked. Having a panic disorder means I panic a lot so I wanted to reach out and see what others thought. I am currently teaching a vacation bible school for our church so tomorrow is the last day/night of that. I planto leave Mrs T inside until Saturday so I have complete control of her temperatures. Thanks again for all the advice!

That's a good idea. Play it safe for a while, just incase. Usually I think the ones that get sick it's because it's for a reason that was unseeable. Knowing the very next day she got too cold and taking quick measures, I don't think will make a tort get worse. Always good though to treat with care a little longer then normal for the just incase.

 

[Jodie]

Her eyes are no longer watery. I soaked her for a while, she ate really good, Now that shes been in since this morning under a heat lamp, she seems as normal as she was yesterday. Do you think she is sick after only one night of cool temps?

No I think warmer temps will help her fight off anything trying to start though.