Sulcata at shelter

Tom said:

Lots of the weeds we feed are fairly high in protein. I don't know about the store bought Italian dandelions, but clover and plantain weeds are both fairly high in protein, for example. These are all good foods to feed, AS LONG AS the tortoise remains well hydrated through a program of hydration: Frequent long soaks, wetting the food, sleeping with humidity in the sleeping chambers, and feeding some foods like opuntia pads that have a high water content.

If the urates were loose and watery, then there is really no issue with your tortoise. I just wanted to make sure that you and anyone reading don't think that goiterogens, like what is in those collard greens, is the cause of urates in our tortoises. It's too much protein, or not enough hydration that does it. It's okay to feed higher protein foods, like the legumes, as long as the tortoise remains well hydrated. Our tortoises need some plant proteins to remain healthy. Just not too much, too often, and not when they are kept too dry as most of the people outside of this forum are taught to keep them.

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JoJosMom said:

The tortoise is home with us, feeding tube down into the stomach, imaging shows cement in the intestines, missing an eye (obvious trauma unknown) We are feeding critical care 4 times daily, hydrating and soaking daily. Yesterday he passed in his soak, what was either creamy urates or it was the critical care we feed as it is the same color.
There was absolutely no sign of pneumonia or any respiratory issue at all. He still shows no sign of such. We are 6 days post surgery of FT and he is still alive. Not much improvement yet, but I did notice this morning he seems to have a little resistance in his front legs. We have him in a warm closed chamber with humidity running off the walls. He is 82 degrees consistently. He gets sunlight every day while soaking for a couple hours.
As you all know nothing happens fast with a tortoise so it is a waiting game. We named him Chance… since this is the only chance he has to survive. He is fighting and we are fighting for him.

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. Will try to update in a few days or so.

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Robinbirdlady said:

It is one of the absolute worst shelters. So much neglect.

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JoJosMom said:

The tortoise is home with us, feeding tube down into the stomach, imaging shows cement in the intestines, missing an eye (obvious trauma unknown) We are feeding critical care 4 times daily, hydrating and soaking daily. Yesterday he passed in his soak, what was either creamy urates or it was the critical care we feed as it is the same color.
There was absolutely no sign of pneumonia or any respiratory issue at all. He still shows no sign of such. We are 6 days post surgery of FT and he is still alive. Not much improvement yet, but I did notice this morning he seems to have a little resistance in his front legs. We have him in a warm closed chamber with humidity running off the walls. He is 82 degrees consistently. He gets sunlight every day while soaking for a couple hours.
As you all know nothing happens fast with a tortoise so it is a waiting game. We named him Chance… since this is the only chance he has to survive. He is fighting and we are fighting for him.

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. Will try to update in a few days or so.

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ecachuh said:

Oh my goodness when you said passed in his soak...I thought you meant something else. So relieved. Thank you so much for the update and for taking such great care of him!

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JoJosMom said:

The tortoise is home with us, feeding tube down into the stomach, imaging shows cement in the intestines, missing an eye (obvious trauma unknown) We are feeding critical care 4 times daily, hydrating and soaking daily. Yesterday he passed in his soak, what was either creamy urates or it was the critical care we feed as it is the same color.
There was absolutely no sign of pneumonia or any respiratory issue at all. He still shows no sign of such. We are 6 days post surgery of FT and he is still alive. Not much improvement yet, but I did notice this morning he seems to have a little resistance in his front legs. We have him in a warm closed chamber with humidity running off the walls. He is 82 degrees consistently. He gets sunlight every day

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Chefdenoel10 said:

Can you guys post where to send donations?
A link would be appreciated.

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JoJosMom said:

Latest Update on Chance:

Day 13 he pooped, about a golf ball size filled with rocks, sand and a little grass. We have confirmed not only has he lost his left eye completely due to trauma, but he is completely blind in his right eye as well. He also has severe trauma to his front legs, the spurs have literally been ripped off on each side from one end to the other. With the amount of scaring and obvious trauma to his face and arms, we feel he was at some point attacked either by a dog, multiple dogs or another animal just as aggressive and capable of doing serious harm. He is getting stronger little by little, day by day. He still does not stand up, he is stationary, but making movements now that reflect the action of trying to stand up. He soaks for hours every day and we feed Emeraid IC Herbivore 4 xs a day through the tube. The recommendation if he survives is to keep the feeding tube in until he begins to eat on his own. With that, it will be a challenge as he is completely blind so we will have to rely on his sense of smell to entice him to eat. I offer foods each day, getting him use to the different scents. I have been using grape leaves, Mulberry leaves, Hibiscus, Moringa leaves and Bermuda grass. I also allow him to smell Mazuri and Grassland Gold which is a new product on the market that is fantastic. It is a pelleted food, all natural, no fillers, made by Harvest Happy Farm. It contains a mix of Bermuda, Timothy and Orchard Grass pellets, along with some botanicals and leaves. Anyway, I will continue to keep offering all to Chance every day, if nothing more than to get him used to smells that he can become familiar with.
Our vet said there was what looked like cement in his system. After dissecting the poop, it surely appears to be exactly that. Makes sense to us that he may have eaten a bag somewhere, after all he is completely blind.
When we brought him home, we had him in a closed chamber with fine cococoir and heated at 82 degrees. We since have removed the cococoir due to the fact he doesn't move and between him and the moist coco coir, there is great potential for mold. So now he is on a soft blanket in a closed chamber with heat. He gets hours of sunshine and long warm soaks every day which he loves.

This may not seem much of an update but this is a big positive. As you all know, nothing happens fast with a tortoise. So we are patient, consistent and attentive all day every day. When we have another update, we will be sure to share with you all and keep you posted.

Thank you everyone for your kind support. Best, Amanda

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JoJosMom said:

Latest Update on Chance:

Day 13 he pooped, about a golf ball size filled with rocks, sand and a little grass. We have confirmed not only has he lost his left eye completely due to trauma, but he is completely blind in his right eye as well. He also has severe trauma to his front legs, the spurs have literally been ripped off on each side from one end to the other. With the amount of scaring and obvious trauma to his face and arms, we feel he was at some point attacked either by a dog, multiple dogs or another animal just as aggressive and capable of doing serious harm. He is getting stronger little by little, day by day. He still does not stand up, he is stationary, but making movements now that reflect the action of trying to stand up. He soaks for hours every day and we feed Emeraid IC Herbivore 4 xs a day through the tube. The recommendation if he survives is to keep the feeding tube in until he begins to eat on his own. With that, it will be a challenge as he is completely blind so we will have to rely on his sense of smell to entice him to eat. I offer foods each day, getting him use to the different scents. I have been using grape leaves, Mulberry leaves, Hibiscus, Moringa leaves and Bermuda grass. I also allow him to smell Mazuri and Grassland Gold which is a new product on the market that is fantastic. It is a pelleted food, all natural, no fillers, made by Harvest Happy Farm. It contains a mix of Bermuda, Timothy and Orchard Grass pellets, along with some botanicals and leaves. Anyway, I will continue to keep offering all to Chance every day, if nothing more than to get him used to smells that he can become familiar with.
Our vet said there was what looked like cement in his system. After dissecting the poop, it surely appears to be exactly that. Makes sense to us that he may have eaten a bag somewhere, after all he is completely blind.
When we brought him home, we had him in a closed chamber with fine cococoir and heated at 82 degrees. We since have removed the cococoir due to the fact he doesn't move and between him and the moist coco coir, there is great potential for mold. So now he is on a soft blanket in a closed chamber with heat. He gets hours of sunshine and long warm soaks every day which he loves.

This may not seem much of an update but this is a big positive. As you all know, nothing happens fast with a tortoise. So we are patient, consistent and attentive all day every day. When we have another update, we will be sure to share with you all and keep you posted.

Thank you everyone for your kind support. Best, Amanda

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COmtnLady said:

If you "perch him on a post", especially during a soak, does he flail a bit? Move his legs much?



When I was a kid we had a blind pony. Once she learned where everything was, unless you knew she couldn't see, you'd never know she couldn't. She'd even run around the pasture when she wanted to blow off some steam. I'm going to bet that once Chance learns where the food station is and where the Hide is, he'll be the same.

You guys get the gold star!




.

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Chefdenoel10 said:

Dear Amanda,
Thank you so very much for the update. I had been worried about Chance since we first met.
I am completely broken about his arms and eyes but at least we still have him.
It may be hard at first but don’t people say that animals learn to adapt to working with less limbs or complicated situations?
That’s why his name is Chance.
You give him the Chance and he will impress and improve every day for you.
I will keep him in my prayers and keep thinking good thoughts and send good vibes your way till he is eventually showing us who is ACTUALLY the boss and steps right on your toe.
Keep up the phenomenal job you are doing and know that he is so very greatful for your help.. as we all are .
God Bless You!!!!!!

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JoJosMom said:

It is with a heavy heart that I notify you all, we lost the battle with Chance. His system was so impacted that he did not survive. While we knew the odds weren't good, we had to give him the last chance at life. If only we would have been able to get him when he came into the shelter, maybe that would have been in time for our efforts to be successful. While I understand we did everything possible, I can't help but feel like a failure. I became so attached to him providing such intensive care that it absolutely crushed me when he passed. From the hell he was put through to the love that we surrounded him with, we hope he felt just how much we loved him and were fighting for him.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and good vibes for Chance. We are grateful! We know he is no longer in discomfort and can now rest peacefully. Sometimes they don't make it, but we have to do everything we can to give them a chance.

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