New Russian tortoise not eating

Blackdog1714

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A quick help is some sunshine. Get him outside in the sun for a few hours and do that a few days a week at that should be plenty. Otherwise a good T5 Arcadia bulb for UVB in a fixture with reflectors suspended over the enclosure. I am a little sure as to why the antibiotics shot did his blood show a high white cell count which could be from fighting an infection. Was his poop negative?
 

Dlamonda

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Hi no poop
She said he could be fighting an infection so as a percation she gave antibiotics. Now I can not take him outside at all. We are surrounded by fires and air quality is hazardous. However, before hand I would take him out several times a day. While my dogs were out there playing. What is your opinion on feeding a food via syringe? Its from my vet. But I did bathe him twice today in that rehydration formula you gave me.
 

Blackdog1714

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Wow I am gonna put out a call for help from the big guns and see. I am not happy with an antibiotic shot for just because. BTW which antibiotic? @Yvonne G @Tom
 

Dlamonda

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Ok now your scaring me! Sent you two pics of antibiotics. And the summary of prognosis.
 

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Blackdog1714

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Ok now your scaring me! Sent you two pics of antibiotics. And the summary of prognosis.
Okay at least it wasn't Baytril which can be very painful for the tort. Now for the UV exactly how old is the light and have you measured its ouput? Since outside is a no go with the fires indoor UV is critical so you need to make sure the bulb is perfoming correctly and that can only be done with a UV meter (Like solarmeter 6.5R). Also the temps need to be dialed in at tort height so a laser temp gun is critical you said " Lights 100 watt heat and UVA-UVB over hang fluorescent" What is your heat source exactly?. You are doing so much for a tort that sadly had so little done for it before you got it. Electrolyte and carrot soaks and for now just offer mushy Mazuri to tempt the appetite.
 

Dlamonda

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Okay at least it wasn't Baytril which can be very painful for the tort. Now for the UV exactly how old is the light and have you measured its ouput? Since outside is a no go with the fires indoor UV is critical so you need to make sure the bulb is perfoming correctly and that can only be done with a UV meter (Like solarmeter 6.5R). Also the temps need to be dialed in at tort height so a laser temp gun is critical you said " Lights 100 watt heat and UVA-UVB over hang fluorescent" What is your heat source exactly?. You are doing so much for a tort that sadly had so little done for it before you got it. Electrolyte and carrot soaks and for now just offer mushy Mazuri to tempt the appetite.
Its brand new. When we built the new habitat we replaced the light we got with him. Remember he is a rescue. He came to me in this condition. Im not the cause im trying to be the cure
 

Dlamonda

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he is soaking right now in the rehydration formula you gave me. Vet is going to try and feed him for me tomorrow. I can't get his mouth open, and so afraid of hurting him. Poor baby I feel aweful for him
 

Dlamonda

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ok going to mush up that right now. Keep fingers crossed
 

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Dlamonda

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Here is the light center. And two heat sources. One on your left o showed you temp. One on right is for night warmth.
 

Dlamonda

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His UVB/UVA light is centered
 

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Blackdog1714

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Its brand new. When we built the new habitat we replaced the light we got with him. Remember he is a rescue. He came to me in this condition. Im not the cause im trying to be the cure
Oh no I firmly believe you are not. I am just trying to double check all the variables that are needed to ensure a happy and healthy tort! You are providing soaks daily that will help tremendously and this could be a slow road. What I am asking is what do you use to generate heat and what do you use to know it is maintaining that heat? Optimaley a CHE can be used in a ceramic base fixture when paired with a thermometer (Dual Digital Aquarium Heater Controller w/Replaceable Probe (ITC-308S) You set a max and a minimum temp and the controller turns the heat (CHE) off and on to maintain your preset temp. THe temp is critical in that with heat and exercise the tort can digest foods hence they want to eat foods, but when it gets cooler then Russians will slow down and sto eating to prepare for Brumunation (like Hibernation, just more of a deep sleep). You may want to consider adding a supplement like Miner All that could be used once a week to supplement. Again I am behind you 100% on what is going to a very bumpy journey and will be my best to help.
 

Dlamonda

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I have two ceramic heat lamps. I sent pics but having trouble sending?? His basking area is at approx 88. The other is his night time heat set at 80 . And UVA/UVB in center and everything is brand new
 

Blackdog1714

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Got it so the 2 dome fixtures have CHE's in them. This could hopefully just be a new spaces disruption. Just keep him warm and hydrated for now and see if he eats some mush. Good Luck
 

Dlamonda

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Thank you so much. Im sorry to dominate so much of your time. But your help is appreciated. Ill keep you updated!
 

Blackdog1714

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Thank you so much. Im sorry to dominate so much of your time. But your help is appreciated. Ill keep you updated!
No worries it is rocky in the begining with the first one , I know. I am just returning the help I have received over the years
 

AgataP

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I read an article that tortoise might eat small rocks. The ones I see on your photo might look attractive to him. I see some yellowish, reddish colors - my old RT would eat anything that was any brighter color.
One thing that he would eat when I got him was a banana. Maybe try a little piece ?
 
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Dlamonda

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Thank you! Rocks will be replaced. Bananas have been offered nothing. He goes back to vet today for his second shot of antibiotics. And she is going to try and force feed him. Hoping that kick starts his metabolism into eating. Thank you for advice. Anything helps
 

Blackdog1714

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Thank you! Rocks will be replaced. Bananas have been offered nothing. He goes back to vet today for his second shot of antibiotics. And she is going to try and force feed him. Hoping that kick starts his metabolism into eating. Thank you for advice. Anything helps
Wishing you the best and keep up the soaks!
 
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