RIP Mikey....

Kylee L.

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Not really sure what happened... found Mikey dead when I got home tonight. .. any advice, suggestions, thoughts on what could have went wrong......... not really sure what to say..... we are very heart broken
 

ZEROPILOT

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A hundred things could have happened.
Are you going to get another?
If so, send us pictures of the enclosure, lighting, etc and let us know what you were feeding. We can then suggest some changes and help.
Also, what species was he.
I'm sorry for your loss.
 

Toddrickfl1

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So sorry for your loss. I don't think you did anything wrong. He must have been sick when you got him.
 

Kylee L.

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A hundred things could have happened.
Are you going to get another?
If so, send us pictures of the enclosure, lighting, etc and let us know what you were feeding. We can then suggest some changes and help.
Also, what species was he.
I'm sorry for your loss.
I woulds very much like to get another, I've spent lots of time and money for this one and I'm not ready to give up, my son is devastated. The man I bought him from will hear from me.... getting pics now
 

Kylee L.

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A hundred things could have happened.
Are you going to get another?
If so, send us pictures of the enclosure, lighting, etc and let us know what you were feeding. We can then suggest some changes and help.
Also, what species was he.
I'm sorry for your loss.
20191003_182508.jpg 20191003_182508.jpg 20191003_182521.jpg 20191003_182457.jpg
I woulds very much like to get another, I've spent lots of time and money for this one and I'm not ready to give up, my son is devastated. The man I bought him from will hear from me.... getting pics now
I woulds very much like to get another, I've spent lots of time and money for this one and I'm not ready to give up, my son is devastated. The man I bought him from will hear from me.... getting pics now
He was a Russian, I was feeding him a type of dandelion, I think called cats ear, hibiscus flowers, African violet, ice plants...a variety of things. He didn't eat the entire time I had him which will be 3 weeks Saturday.
 

lionheartHC

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He was a Russian, I was feeding him a type of dandelion, I think called cats ear, hibiscus flowers, African violet, ice plants...a variety of things. He didn't eat the entire time I had him which will be 3 weeks Saturday.

I just acquired two new Russian females recently. I waited one week for the one to "adapt" to the new table thinking it might juts be stress. No eating, going to the bathroom or moving around really. Made the vet apt and she ended up having a respiratory infection. It took going to the vet every 48 hours for a shot of antibiotics, fluids and vitamins and she finally seems like a different tortoise. She also has pin worms which are being treated now. I know your stress and you should really consider getting another because my other two have been a complete joy. The man I bought it from could care less... told me that if she dies I can buy another one for 70% of the price. I sent him a picture of the vet bill and all he responded was "lol"... Needless to say make sure you do your due diligence who you get one from. I would advise checking Craigslist frequently so you know the exact condition and temperament.

If you do decided to get another. Make sure to do a complete substrate change and disinfect everything from the hide to the water bowl in case it was some sort of virus. Sorry this happened. :(
 

Kylee L.

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I just acquired two new Russian females recently. I waited one week for the one to "adapt" to the new table thinking it might juts be stress. No eating, going to the bathroom or moving around really. Made the vet apt and she ended up having a respiratory infection. It took going to the vet every 48 hours for a shot of antibiotics, fluids and vitamins and she finally seems like a different tortoise. She also has pin worms which are being treated now. I know your stress and you should really consider getting another because my other two have been a complete joy. The man I bought it from could care less... told me that if she dies I can buy another one for 70% of the price. I sent him a picture of the vet bill and all he responded was "lol"... Needless to say make sure you do your due diligence who you get one from. I would advise checking Craigslist frequently so you know the exact condition and temperament.

If you do decided to get another. Make sure to do a complete substrate change and disinfect everything from the hide to the water bowl in case it was some sort of virus. Sorry this happened. :(
Ithank you, more pissed off than sad, my son is devastated..I'm going to find a breeder and not a dealer. I know its going to cost but so...i will replacing it constantly or massive vet bills. I thought about taking him to a vet.. really should have. I will get everything disinfected this weekend. I hate I have to spend more money. Do you know if the plants will be ok to put back in the enclosure, they are live and safe for tortoises to eat, or should I remove them
 

lionheartHC

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Trust me, I totally understand being pissed. I was livid at this guys lack of care. The vet said that she was also dehydrated beyond belief even with me soaking her daily.

Regarding the plants, it's better to be safe that sorry... I'm not the most knowledgeable but I would proceed with the mind set that everything is contaminated. I have a 14 ft table that I ended up having to do a complete substrate change and everything after the addition of this girl. The money is adding up quickly, I neglected to quarantine the new ones like I should have so it's totally on me.
 

Kylee L.

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Trust me, I totally understand being pissed. I was livid at this guys lack of care. The vet said that she was also dehydrated beyond belief even with me soaking her daily.

Regarding the plants, it's better to be safe that sorry... I'm not the most knowledgeable but I would proceed with the mind set that everything is contaminated. I have a 14 ft table that I ended up having to do a complete substrate change and everything after the addition of this girl. The money is adding up quickly, I neglected to quarantine the new ones like I should have so it's totally on me.
I was thinking the same thing about the plants. My table is not small either and I can hear the money flushing when I think about having to refill it. I had a breeder contact me when she saw my post about looking for one.. should have went with my gut and just bought from her in the first place. Her reviews are amazing and go back to 2013.. Lessen learned.
 

ZEROPILOT

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I don't see anything that would kill a tortoise.
You even have the "good" UV light.
Have you considered a tortoise that is a bit older?
Hatchlings are a little more delicate than a well started 6 month old.
Best of luck to you.
 

Kylee L.

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I don't see anything that would kill a tortoise.
You even have the "good" UV light.
Have you considered a tortoise that is a bit older?
Hatchlings are a little more delicate than a well started 6 month old.
Best of luck to you.
he was older, he was about 4" in diameter. The guy I bought him from didn't know but someone on here said according to size he may have been over 10
 

Kylee L.

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Sorry to hear of your loss. There are good breeders on this forum of Russian torts. Look up under "for sale".
I got mine from Carol S .
I had talked with her before I bought this one..my son saw him at a reptile show and that was that....I really did know better... I read about 10 of her reviews last night and was planning on sending her an email today :)
 

Blackdog1714

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That is terrible. Sadly it is why getting from a well known and vetted breeder is important! I would sanitize the enclosure and do a substrate change before a new one. I got mine from Carol S and all he does is demand food. Just put him in his new indoor winter enclosure and the first thing he did was eat at one of his plants! Don’t hesitate to ask for help and know we support you!
 

Miniman8

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Hi Mikeysmama, so sorry to hear of your loss, as others have said it sounds like he was already sick, when you got him, our lightning is still outside, I open his house in the morning & when he’s ready he comes out, he will have to come in soon as it’s starting to get a bit cold here. You will get another tort once you have had one you won’t want to be without one. Here in uk you are not allowed to buy or sell wild caught torts I believe in US you can do this so you can’t have any history of age etc.
Again so sorry for your loss.
Tom
 

Kylee L.

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That is terrible. Sadly it is why getting from a well known and vetted breeder is important! I would sanitize the enclosure and do a substrate change before a new one. I got mine from Carol S and all he does is demand food. Just put him in his new indoor winter enclosure and the first thing he did was eat at one of his plants! Don’t hesitate to ask for help and know we support you!
thank you...I did know better, unfortunately. I'm getting it changed or and disinfected this weekend. I emailed Carol and look forward to taking with her
 

Kylee L.

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Hi Mikeysmama, so sorry to hear of your loss, as others have said it sounds like he was already sick, when you got him, our lightning is still outside, I open his house in the morning & when he’s ready he comes out, he will have to come in soon as it’s starting to get a bit cold here. You will get another tort once you have had one you won’t want to be without one. Here in uk you are not allowed to buy or sell wild caught torts I believe in US you can do this so you can’t have any history of age etc.
Again so sorry for your loss.
Tom
thank you... yeah, it's a shame what people can do with animals here...I'm taking with a well known breeder here, I'll do it right this time
 

Doonparker26

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OMG I would be devastated if I came home and found Rags died. I have a camera just in case were not there we can check on him and if needed our neighbor could go over and help him. I like you enclosure how/what is that made from the framing and the sides?
 

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