Rehoming my Hermanns?

Voldetort92

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Hello,
I am new here so sorry if I am posting in the wrong place.
I have had my hermanns tortoise for about 12 years, since he was 7 years old.
I didn’t keep him very well for a long time, partly due to where I was living but also my mental health has always been poor and I have struggled to meet his needs.

Eventually he got both a fungal and bacterial respiratory infection, he was taken to a specialist vet and had treatment. I moved home but into a flat where he was kept in a tortoise table for a year and he seemed the happiest and healthiest he’d ever been. And I was in a much better place also.

I purchased my own home this year and was excited to finally be able to give him an even better set up after letting him down for so long.

All fine to start with with very warm UK weather when we moved, he had the run of the garden with a house to retreat to overnight. However as got colder I noticed he began to whistle again like before.

I took him to another specialist vet who did an X-ray as we couldn’t afford a CT and he saw something at the top of the lungs which he felt at this stage would likely be scarring from the previous infection that was being irritated by the cold, and advised we keep him warmer and raise humidity. There is no discharge from nose or mouth and his attitude hasn’t changed.

I am worried as, what if it isn’t scarring but another infection? I am not hibernating this year because of this doubt. Also should I ever hibernate if he has scarring if this makes him more vulnerable?

also as I work full time neither myself or my partner feel happy to keep heat lamps on all day when we aren’t home, if we had a fire our two cats may die and we would lose our home. I had the idea to simulate his days whilst we are home asleep and then simulate his night time when we are at work but he bangs in his table a lot of nights and we cannot sleep.

the only place we can keep him at the moment that is warm enough is a spare room upstairs

I do not know what to do anymore, I wonder if it is best to rehome to someone more experienced. I did contact the TPG but they haven’t got back to me after an initial response and a local tortoise society isn’t responding either.

does anyone have any advice, please
 

Yossarian

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Sounds like rehoming would be a good idea. A heat lamp is not optional. Also, some types of respiratory infections can become chronic in torts, so even if they improve, it can easily return if conditions get worse. The best thing for this guy from now on is to be kept at the warm end of his temp range, high 20s to low 30s ambient. If you cannot provide that environment then you should rehome.
 

Sarah2020

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Tortoises require heat and at this time if year they are starting to brumate. If it is not in good health you can not do the brumation. Just looking on line there are numerous reptile rescue places inc RSPCA in UK. I suggest you take some time to call them to see what your options are. I know it is hard but continuing is detrimental to its welfare. Good luck
 

Voldetort92

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Nov 15, 2020
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Location (City and/or State)
Southampton
Sounds like rehoming would be a good idea. A heat lamp is not optional. Also, some types of respiratory infections can become chronic in torts, so even if they improve, it can easily return if conditions get worse. The best thing for this guy from now on is to be kept at the warm end of his temp range, high 20s to low 30s ambient. If you cannot provide that environment then you should rehome.
Thank you, it is reassuring to hear this from another tortoise owner as friends and family keep seeking to reassure me instead and it gives me so much doubt. Tort is well heated for now but ongoing I think he will be better of in a more experienced home with someone who has more time and facilities. Thank you
 

Voldetort92

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Joined
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Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
Southampton
Tortoises require heat and at this time if year they are starting to brumate. If it is not in good health you can not do the brumation. Just looking on line there are numerous reptile rescue places inc RSPCA in UK. I suggest you take some time to call them to see what your options are. I know it is hard but continuing is detrimental to its welfare. Good luck
Thanks, I have tried the RSPCA but our local one does not take tortoises, I have asked them for anywhere that does so will wait to hear. I have also already tried local rescue groups etc but have only heard back from one so far who I will call today on my break, thank you for your advice
 

Yossarian

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Have you tried ads on gumtree and marketplace? Otherwise, if there is a reptile specialist shop nearby they might be able to help you.

http://www.rspcareptilerescue.co.uk/ This is in Brighton, not that far from you. Looks like they take torts.
 

Voldetort92

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Location (City and/or State)
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Have you tried ads on gumtree and marketplace? Otherwise, if there is a reptile specialist shop nearby they might be able to help you.

http://www.rspcareptilerescue.co.uk/ This is in Brighton, not that far from you. Looks like they take torts.
Hiya, wouldn’t want to advertise like that as wouldn’t trust that I could assess anyone properly and want someone very experienced to take him. I noted that the Brighton rspca branch take them in, but funnily enough the lady at the tortoise society who I have spoken with is the lady they use to rehome them anyway so I will go directly to her. I have spoken to her on the phone for almost an hour today to go through it so feel he will be in safe hands. Thank you for your help
 

Opuntia

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Hampshire tortoises society maybe able to help.
 

Sarah2020

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Well done for taking the big step and good luck in finding a positive outcome.
 
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