Herman (now star) tortoise not eating.

Dipa

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I have a herman called cookie. He was sneezing so i go to the vet and he gave him injection on his behind legs...
Then after he keeps sleeping. He sleeps for about straight 20 hours.. and after that he is not eating anything at all . And when i offer him water he mostly dozzed off in it..
Anything that i can do??
And i also live in india so its temparature is about sunny so we didnt keep him in enclosure.. we keep him in our home freely.. he is happily spend the time here...
Is he not feeling well?
Should i have to free him?
I brought him from wild..
 

wellington

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He needs to be in a proper enclosure while recovering with proper temperatures. Keep him at 80F day and night with a basking spot of 95-100F. He should never be left to live or roam the floor of your house.
A sick tortoise needs to be kept warm to recover. So get him set up correctly asap.
Also some medications will make them stop eating for a while. Keep him hydrated well by giving warm soaks daily.
 

WithLisa

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Are you sure it's a Hermanns tortoise? That's an European species, how did you find a wild one in India? Since they are not native you should definitely not set it free.
 

Bee62

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I have a herman called cookie. He was sneezing so i go to the vet and he gave him injection on his behind legs...
Then after he keeps sleeping. He sleeps for about straight 20 hours.. and after that he is not eating anything at all . And when i offer him water he mostly dozzed off in it..
Anything that i can do??
And i also live in india so its temparature is about sunny so we didnt keep him in enclosure.. we keep him in our home freely.. he is happily spend the time here...
Is he not feeling well?
Should i have to free him?
I brought him from wild..
Can you upload some pics of Cookie ?
 

Dipa

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Mahesana,Gujarat,India
He needs to be in a proper enclosure while recovering with proper temperatures. Keep him at 80F day and night with a basking spot of 95-100F. He should never be left to live or roam the floor of your house.
A sick tortoise needs to be kept warm to recover. So get him set up correctly asap.
Also some medications will make them stop eating for a while. Keep him hydrated well by giving warm soaks daily.
I give him warm soaks every day like 3 to 5 time.... And the total time is like 25 to 30 minutes..
I will get an enclosure asap..
But i have to built it..
Can u recommend how to make it??
 

TechnoCheese

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TechnoCheese

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how long have you had it? I think it might be too sick to be set free right now, but you should definitely set it free after it gets better. However, I would wait for a second opinion on that.
 

Dipa

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how long have you had it? I think it might be too sick to be set free right now, but you should definitely set it free after it gets better. However, I would wait for a second opinion on that.
He is with me for about 6 months..
I go to vet but he told mm that he is not sick..
Did u see anything that indicates that he is sick??
 

TechnoCheese

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Huh, not sure why I thought he was sick. However, he’s in pretty bad shape from being without heat for so long. I would wait for other members to give advice on whether you should release him or not.
 

TechnoCheese

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Tortoises need heat to function and digest food, and it sounds like he’s been without heat for 6 months. Food has likely been rotting inside of him, and it is very dangerous for a tortoise to be without heat. If a tortoise is wandering around a house, sleeping 20 hours a day, and falling asleep in water, it is very, very sick. Sadly, most vets have no idea what they’re doing with tortoises, and I don’t think yours does either.
You need to get it up to at least 80 degrees ASAP.
 

Dipa

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Tortoises need heat to function and digest food, and it sounds like he’s been without heat for 6 months. Food has likely been rotting inside of him, and it is very dangerous for a tortoise to be without heat. If a tortoise is wandering around a house, sleeping 20 hours a day, and falling asleep in water, it is very, very sick. Sadly, most vets have no idea what they’re doing with tortoises, and I don’t think yours does either.
You need to get it up to at least 80 degrees ASAP.
We are keeping him under the sunlight daily for atleast most of the daytime..
And he slept in the water for the first time after he got the injection...
Another wise not
Today he doesnt sleep in water
I think that was because of the onjection..
But plz feel free to correct me.
 

TechnoCheese

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Are you keeping him indoors or outdoors most of the day?
Just make sure you read those links, and make changes to your care accordingly.
 

Dipa

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Are you keeping him indoors or outdoors most of the day?
Just make sure you read those links, and make changes to your care accordingly.
I kee him outdoor in day and indoor in night time.
I read that articles. Most of i do are as per the instructions..
I love your help and thanx a lot for your replies and concern
If you can give me any extra advice for feeding him or to encourage him to feed it will be great help.
 

TechnoCheese

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I kee him outdoor in day and indoor in night time.
I read that articles. Most of i do are as per the instructions..
I love your help and thanx a lot for your replies and concern
If you can give me any extra advice for feeding him or to encourage him to feed it will be great help.

Huh, seems like I misjudged your care, and you’re actually doing pretty good! Make sure that the temps are above 80 at all times, and offer fresh food daily.
Also, sorry if I sound crabby during any of this, I’m super tired lol
 

Dipa

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Huh, seems like I misjudged your care, and you’re actually doing pretty good! Make sure that the temps are above 80 at all times, and offer fresh food daily.
Also, sorry if I sound crabby during any of this, I’m super tired lol
No its great help....
You know and you give me the knowledge...
You are awesome
And i also give him multivitamins as per prescribed so if he does not eat so will it give him the needed nutritions?
 
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Bee62

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I have a herman called cookie. He was sneezing so i go to the vet and he gave him injection on his behind legs...
Then after he keeps sleeping. He sleeps for about straight 20 hours.. and after that he is not eating anything at all . And when i offer him water he mostly dozzed off in it..
Anything that i can do??
And i also live in india so its temparature is about sunny so we didnt keep him in enclosure.. we keep him in our home freely.. he is happily spend the time here...
Is he not feeling well?
Should i have to free him?
I brought him from wild..
When he was sneezing he maybe got too cold over night when he was in your house. How are the temps at night in your house ?
The eyes of your tort seem not to be okay. They look a little bit puffy and that is often a sign for a respiration infect.
Btw: Cookie is an indian star tortoise.
To help your baby that you can`t release now as it is sick into the wild:
Make sure that he stays warm night and day at 85 F. You might need a heat source for nighttimes. Daytime he should have a lot of sunshine and warmth but shade too. How are your day temps outside now ?
Soak your baby in 102 F warm water twice every day for half an hour that he stays well hydrated. Add baby carrot food to the soaking water that Cookie may get some vitamins and minerals into his body.
Tortoises often stop eating after antibiotic shots. Offer him food every day and wait. Keep him warm and hydrated. That is all you can do but it is a lot for your sick baby.
Please do the things I wrote above for the life of Cookie.
Good luck that he soon starts eating again.
 

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