Hi, I reposted this from the introduction section - I need help with my redfoot and was hoping additional eyes might see it if posted in this section too!
RE: Welcome to TortoiseForum.org !
Hello all, I'm new to the site and trying to navigate for the first time as well...
My name is Laijla (pronounced Lila) and I'm a new owner of a 5-6 month old redfoot named Jet. I had spent months prior researching the care of redfoots only to have him (her?) home a few months now and realize I'm still terribly inept. Joining this list to learn.
When I was 9 months old my parents bought a redfoot from the Pomona Fair Grounds in CA (late 60's). I literally never knew a household without a redfoot roaming the backyard, patio and tiled area of our kitchen... Sadly, the year I left for college, my mother accidentally left the tortoise in the garage (we had moved to a colder climate) while she mopped the kitchen floor. She forgot to get him, temps dropped that night and he froze to death. I was heartbroken. He was about 25+ years old.
We were pretty ignorant of his care and he honestly fended for himself in the compost pile and dandelion/clover infested fenced in backyard. Thinking back, he had zero pyramiding and was a beautiful specimen. Lucky for him his instincts were stronger than our knowledge of keeping a tortoise. So, regardless of living with one for so many years, I'm quick to say, I know very little and want to learn ALL I CAN!
***I have a little dilema and hope I can get some feedback... a few days ago by daughters 13 pound dog managed to get into the tortoises enclosure. ((YES, I've fixed this issue, and the dog can't get near him!)) The dog wanted the cuttlebone luckily but not before he decided to try a bite of the tortoise. He left a few small puncture wounds. The vet flushed them and said it was minor but to be on the safe side did an antibiotic injection to prevent any chance of an abcess in one of the wounds. It's been 5 days and Jet still wont eat. The vet has told me his weight was good & he was in good health prior to the attack so not to worry yet. He is drinking well and has sought out the heat lamp more than normal. The vet said staying warm was essential for his immune system to heal himself. He looks great and he is still fairly active. One thing is he seems panicked of me now when before he was not. Ever since he was given the antibiotic shot he almost seems frightened of humans. Do you think it is likely he is making a smell association to humans with his trauma? When is too long for him to go without eating? He had been eating endive, dandelion, henbit, squash, zucchinni, carrots, strawberries, etc. prior to the attack.
Any suggestion for the little guy to aid his recovering and a return to normal?
thanks for any feedback
RE: Welcome to TortoiseForum.org !
Hello all, I'm new to the site and trying to navigate for the first time as well...
My name is Laijla (pronounced Lila) and I'm a new owner of a 5-6 month old redfoot named Jet. I had spent months prior researching the care of redfoots only to have him (her?) home a few months now and realize I'm still terribly inept. Joining this list to learn.
When I was 9 months old my parents bought a redfoot from the Pomona Fair Grounds in CA (late 60's). I literally never knew a household without a redfoot roaming the backyard, patio and tiled area of our kitchen... Sadly, the year I left for college, my mother accidentally left the tortoise in the garage (we had moved to a colder climate) while she mopped the kitchen floor. She forgot to get him, temps dropped that night and he froze to death. I was heartbroken. He was about 25+ years old.
We were pretty ignorant of his care and he honestly fended for himself in the compost pile and dandelion/clover infested fenced in backyard. Thinking back, he had zero pyramiding and was a beautiful specimen. Lucky for him his instincts were stronger than our knowledge of keeping a tortoise. So, regardless of living with one for so many years, I'm quick to say, I know very little and want to learn ALL I CAN!
***I have a little dilema and hope I can get some feedback... a few days ago by daughters 13 pound dog managed to get into the tortoises enclosure. ((YES, I've fixed this issue, and the dog can't get near him!)) The dog wanted the cuttlebone luckily but not before he decided to try a bite of the tortoise. He left a few small puncture wounds. The vet flushed them and said it was minor but to be on the safe side did an antibiotic injection to prevent any chance of an abcess in one of the wounds. It's been 5 days and Jet still wont eat. The vet has told me his weight was good & he was in good health prior to the attack so not to worry yet. He is drinking well and has sought out the heat lamp more than normal. The vet said staying warm was essential for his immune system to heal himself. He looks great and he is still fairly active. One thing is he seems panicked of me now when before he was not. Ever since he was given the antibiotic shot he almost seems frightened of humans. Do you think it is likely he is making a smell association to humans with his trauma? When is too long for him to go without eating? He had been eating endive, dandelion, henbit, squash, zucchinni, carrots, strawberries, etc. prior to the attack.
Any suggestion for the little guy to aid his recovering and a return to normal?
thanks for any feedback