Sick Sulcata - Needing Help Fast

[TammyJ]

He must not have fruit.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Heat mat shouldnt be used. 24/7 heat should be via Ceramic Heat Element on a thermostat set to 80.

I’m sure the issue is do to the cold night time temps.

 

[Theodore315]

Heat mat shouldnt be used. 24/7 heat should be via Ceramic Heat Element on a thermostat set to 80.

I’m sure the issue is do to the cold night time temps.

Where do we get a ceramic heat element?

What should the nighttime temps be?

 

[Maro2Bear]

Okay, we will keep the temp around 90-95º. We do not have a heat gun, but will look into one. Where should we have this one placed?

It’s point n shoot

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082MDH8V1/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Robot or human?

 

[Theodore315]

We are going to buy a ceramic heat element tomorrow, and we will order a heat gun. Is there anything else that we can do for him tonight? We are going to get him to the vet on Monday as soon as they open...

 

[Beasty_Artemis]

You probably don't need to take him into a vet....

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Where do we get a ceramic heat element?

What should the nighttime temps be?

A CHE is a ceramic heat emitter. It provides warmth without any light at all and can be used 24/7.
Tortoises need 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of dark.

 

[Boo628]

If it's hot n sunny outside bring him out in the sun. Sometimes the sun does miracles for them.

 

[TammyJ]

Hang in there little guy! You have some very caring people here! Ask your owner not to take you to any vet that is not a reputable qualified reptile vet! No experimental treatment please! Good luck 🍀

 

[Maro2Bear]

We are going to buy a ceramic heat element tomorrow, and we will order a heat gun. Is there anything else that we can do for him tonight? We are going to get him to the vet on Monday as soon as they open...

Point n Shoot IR Thermometer, not a “heat gun”. While at it, look at some of the digital thermometers/humidity gauges that AcuRite has. All easily available at big box stores or Amazon. Much more accurate than your pet store analog one.

 

[wellington]

Just to kinda put everything together.
Temps and humidity needs to be read at torts level not at the top of enclosure.
All over temps day and night need to be no lower then 80 and can be 85 with the basking area being 95-100.
Humidity should be 80%
Do not feed fruit that's bad for them specially as a baby.
Do not use heat mats. Tortoises warm themselves from above, the sun, not from below.
Babies should be warm water soaked daily for about 30 minutes.
Your basking bulb sounds fine. You need a che for night heat. Get better temp gauges and read temp down at tort level.
Cover the top of the enclosure to make it a closed chamber.
Read the threads someone else suggested.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Just to kinda put everything together.
Temps and humidity needs to be read at torts level not at the top of enclosure.
All over temps day and night need to be no lower then 80 and can be 85 with the basking area being 95-100.
Humidity should be 80%
Do not feed fruit that's bad for them specially as a baby.
Do not use heat mats. Tortoises warm themselves from above, the sun, not from below.
Babies should be warm water soaked daily for about 30 minutes.
Your basking bulb sounds fine. You need a che for night heat. Get better temp gauges and read temp down at tort level.
Cover the top of the enclosure to make it a closed chamber.
Read the threads someone else suggested.

Great summary. I think I’ll bow out now from providing more info & let the OP take some of the suggested remedies.

 

[Theodore315]

Thank you so much to all, Rocky is doing so much better today. We were up with him all night monitoring how he was doing and the temperature and humidity. When we did fall asleep he moved to the opposite side of his tank and is now getting some energy back and seems to be hungry and trying to eat.

We really appreciate all of the help, and we will keep following the advice and take all the recommendations!

 

[Jan A]

Thank you so much to all, Rocky is doing so much better today. We were up with him all night monitoring how he was doing and the temperature and humidity. When we did fall asleep he moved to the opposite side of his tank and is now getting some energy back and seems to be hungry and trying to eat.

We really appreciate all of the help, and we will keep following the advice and take all the recommendations!

And welcome to the forum. While it seems like a lot to do, make the changes outlined in the care sheet as best you can & as soon as you can. Torts, especially babies, need the higher temps in order to move about & get their digestive system working. Ask questions. You've come to the right site to find answers, and learning is a journey we all participate in.

 

[Lyn W]

We are going to buy a ceramic heat element tomorrow, and we will order a heat gun. Is there anything else that we can do for him tonight? We are going to get him to the vet on Monday as soon as they open...

Make sure you run the CHE through a thermostat which you can set at the right temps and keep even without the risk of it getting too hot and cooking him.