PLEASE HELP! I think my tortoise passed l

I’m so distraught

I think My desert 14year old tortoise Sheldon has past way
It was 90deg today he had plenty of shade showed no signs of dehydration the last few days; has been eating and active.

I went to bring him in the house this evening and he was stiff would not move his little arms are curled in and his legs are out but not dangling

I soaked in water and no change

Please help w any advise I’m so scared and sad

Is his head in or out?

How warm is it where you are? What are daytime temperatures, currently?

TaraMaiden said:

Is his head in or out?

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It is in

I’m not sure if I should keep it in a shallow water over night I’m very distraught

In that case I suspect it's cold. If it were dead, the limbs would be out and dangling, and so would the head... alsom the eyes would probably be open, and dull...

SheldonAJ said:

I’m not sure if I should keep it in a shallow water over night I’m very distraught

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I'd keep it indoors, in a box with some bedding...
I edited my post to ask you about current temperatures?

Current temps are 80s it was 90s earlier. It appears his left eye is slightly open right is shut completely no reaction when I touch feet or tail

Thank you I have him in his “bed” at the moment checkin him every few mins

Hmm... may be warm enough...
What is it, about 02:30 in the morning??Keep him in a box overnight.
I the morning, give him a warm bath, then put him out as the temperatures rise...

Go to bed. There's nothing else you can do right now.
Try to get some rest.

TaraMaiden said:

Hmm... may be warm enough...
What is it, about 02:30 in the morning??Keep him in a box overnight.
I the morning, give him a warm bath, then put him out as the temperatures rise...

Go to bed. There's nothing else you can do right now.
Try to get some rest.

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It was 90deg fahrenheit all day at 9pm when I got him it was about 80degreea Fahrenheit. My eyes are swollen from crying still no change in status as of now 527am

SheldonAJ said:

It was 90deg fahrenheit all day at 9pm when I got him it was about 80degreea Fahrenheit. My eyes are swollen from crying still no change in status as of now 527am

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Sadly, it does not sound promising. If there is no reaction when you touch the eyeball, the tortoise has most likely died. If you want to know the reason why it happened, you should take it to a good vet (preferably a reptile vet) for a necropsy.

My husband and I are devastated. He was my best friend. Thank you for the advise

I'm so very desperately sorry for you. It must be utterly heartbreaking, particularly as there seems to be no evident reason. My deepest and most sincere condolences for your loss.

SheldonAJ said:

I’m so distraught

I think My desert 14year old tortoise Sheldon has past way
It was 90deg today he had plenty of shade showed no signs of dehydration the last few days; has been eating and active.

I went to bring him in the house this evening and he was stiff would not move his little arms are curled in and his legs are out but not dangling

I soaked in water and no change

Please help w any advise I’m so scared and sad

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Poor baby,I’m so sorry… keep us updated if you take him to the vet to find out how he has passed

So sorry to hear this, it doesn't sound good but keep him warm for a day or two (being careful it's not too hot) and give warm soaks, because there have been cases where members thought their tort had died but it had gone into a coma like state and recovered. This is quite rare though but I would hate for you to bury him without being sure.
Any signs of predator attack?

Lyn W said:

So sorry to hear this, it doesn't sound good but keep him warm for a day or two (being careful it's not too hot) and give warm soaks, because there have been cases where members thought their tort had died but it had gone into a coma like state and recovered. This is quite rare though but I would hate for you to bury him without being sure.
Any signs of predator attack?

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No signs of predator attack my sweet Sheldon literally looks like he is sleeping. Just very stiff and no movement or breathing
We was getting shade under a half cut plastic planter pot which he has done for years (w huge holes where his face goes and no enclosement he had easy access in and out free flowing air) I am devastated he may have experienced a heat stroke but he has lived in hotter weather and was walking a bunch and eating normally hrs before

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I am so, so sorry. I wish I had the words that could help. I would be gutted if something happened to my tortoise, and he's only been with us since October of last year. They really do hold special places in our hearts, don't they? Sending love, my deepest condolences, and lots of hugs.

LeoTheWaywardTortoise said:

I am so, so sorry. I wish I had the words that could help. I would be gutted if something happened to my tortoise, and he's only been with us since October of last year. They really do hold special places in our hearts, don't they? Sending love, my deepest condolences, and lots of hugs.

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You couldn't have said that any better, it don't take long before they become part of your heart and family.

I am so very sorry that this happened to your tortoise, but it was probably nothing you could have prevented, like his heart stopped. Maybe something he ate that was toxic???

This is normally what happens when a desert tortoise is moved away from his home state. They are very sensitive to weather/climate. I've heard many stories such as yours about desert tortoises who died, being kept in areas where they don't occur naturally. Please accept my most sincere condolences. It's not easy when you lose an animal you've cared for for such a long time.