Advice on "Runts"

[LuckysGirl007]

OK friends! I need help! These are pics of one of my little guys with a clutch mate that is a lot smaller! The little guy had a rough hatching and his little belly thing was very dry. It eventually healed up for the most part. He is SO much smaller and doesn't seem to have any new growth. He is moving around and eating. He's so adorable though! A friend of mine ask me to pick her out a tort and she is going to come get it tonight. I just couldn't pass up this little guy. I am afraid that maybe he will not survive or thrive because of his lack of growth already. I don't want to set her up to fail. On the other hand I am hopeful that maybe with the excellent care I know she will provide maybe he will do well? My neighbor is the one that has bred them. He has 4 left without this little guy. He plans on selling the rest tomorrow at a garage sale! I just hate the idea this one (or any of them) going home with someone that isn't going to give them the best care they can. I am torn between these options: give the little guy back and trade in on a larger more healthy looking one so my friend will have a better chance (knowing that he will go at the garage sale tomorrow), giving her this little guy and hope for that with all her TLC he will be fine, getting her a different one and trying to raise this one myself. Any opinions would be very appreciated! I do get very attached and emotional and I am trying to avoid getting too attached to this cutie unless I really think he has a good chance. Thank you!

 

[Tom]

Kim, there is just no way to know. Sometimes the little runty ones make it and sometimes they don't. It's hard to even estimate your chances without knowing all the details, history and seeing the baby in person.

The one certainty is that your chances are better with one of the "normal" ones. I would start your friend with a normal one, so that she doesnt have a bad experience to start with, and if you are looking to take on a little project, knowing the risks, then go for it.

 

[DeanS]

Kim, there is just no way to know. Sometimes the little runty ones make it and sometimes they don't. It's hard to even estimate your chances without knowing all the details, history and seeing the baby in person.

The one certainty is that your chances are better with one of the "normal" ones. I would start your friend with a normal one, so that she doesnt have a bad experience to start with, and if you are looking to take on a little project, knowing the risks, then go for it.

What on Earth are you talking about?

 

[richellesworld]

Give the little guy a chance. I picked out a runt and he grew twice as fast as my other one that was 2 months older than him... The tummy thing will go away soon. As long as they give the tort a couple good soakings a day and feed it fresh veggies.... It will all work out.

 

[lovelyrosepetal]

I agree with Tom. There is a member on this forum who just lost her little one. It was not growing and was eight months old. It was taken to the vet and it turned out it had worms. The poor little thing died and that member feels horrible. My heart goes out to the sweet little runt but I would not do that to my friend. Make sure you give your friend a healthy tortoise or give your friend the option. See which one your friend wants and if that is not possible give your friend a healthy tortoise. If I was there I would take that sweet little runt and do my best but I am in Oklahoma so that is a little far for me to drive for a garage sale. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[LuckysGirl007]

RE: Advice on "Runts"

I agree with Tom. There is a member on this forum who just lost her little one. It was not growing and was eight months old. It was taken to the vet and it turned out it had worms. The poor little thing died and that member feels horrible. My heart goes out to the sweet little runt but I would not do that to my friend. Make sure you give your friend a healthy tortoise or give your friend the option. See which one your friend wants and if that is not possible give your friend a healthy tortoise. If I was there I would take that sweet little runt and do my best but I am in Oklahoma so that is a little far for me to drive for a garage sale. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Yes, I have read all the post about poor Scooter. I'm also so sad for him and his owner. That's what made me really think about this one. Normally I would be more optimistic about it only needing excellent care but I know she did everything right and it just wasn't meant to be. I think I will give her the option. I want to give him a good chance...or at least a good quality of life for the time he has BUT I don't think I could handle the heartbreak that is lurking. Anyone else on here in the Arizona West Valley that WANTS to try it??

 

[wellington]

I think you should keep it for yourself. Get your friend a different one. I also think you should print some of Toms threads on raising sulcatas and ask the breeder friend to pass one out to everyone that buys a hatchling. A friend asking you to pick one out is confident in your ability to do so. Knowingly picking one that you have so much doubt about is not fair. Good luck, I hope you keep the little one for yourself and get your friend one you have more confidence in.

 

[Laura]

I would also print out some sulcata care sheets and give them to your neighbor to sell along with the ones at the garage sale! ugh..
as for your friend.. if this is her first.. and she would have a hard time with the loss.. then, maybe a slightly older baby with a good start is a better way to go for her.

 

[LiveTilWeLaugh]

If I had to do everything with scooter all over again, I would still take him, but get him to a vet day one! He was a runt, because he was only 27g at 8 months old, but the vet said if he had gotten treated for worms earlier in life, he may have survived. There is no guarantee that this little one will survive, but it does look like he has the same problems scooter did. His clutch-mate shows significant growth, which means there is probably something wrong medically. The choice is yours, but even if you choose not to take him, PLEASE advise the owner to take him in right away!

 

[AndreaRosie]

RE: Advice on "Runts"

I have a runt three toed. I love him so much more.

 

[Biff Malibu]

Very hard to tell. He does look small, and is indeed very cute. He also doesn't appear to be unhealthy... I think if you take care of him and are positive he has a great chance of surviving.

Yes, there may be a risk of losing him... But look at it this way. You're giving the runt a shot at its own life and a chance to be in YOUR life, he needs love too! He's just a little guy! Stay optimistic!

Worst Case Scenario - If you do lose him, yes it would be very sad. But I think its honorable that you tried your best to take care of him!

I've had the same issue with kittens over the years. My mom tried to rescue kittens sometimes, and we lost a few and it always made me so sad. But we ended up saving and keeping 5! But trust me, you can do everything right, and sometimes there's absolutely nothing you can do to make them survive if that's what life brings. But at least you were caring enough to try your best.

 

[shellysmom]

garage sale torts? that's one way to do it, i guess. i agree it would be lovely if you can make sure your neighbor hands out care sheets for any he sells there. it would most likely be an impulse buy for shoppers, because who would expect to find reptiles at a garage sale???

 

[mainey34]

My opinion. I would ask my friend if she wants to take that risk. I am in west valley, I would try it, if I had more experience, but since I am so new to the tortoise community. I have to pass. Poor guy.

 

[LuckysGirl007]

RE: Advice on "Runts"

Well, my friend came over and we went over the pros and cons. Her first thought was the same as mine "maybe he just needs some extra TLC". I explained to her about this thread and about little Scooter. She decided she would be more comfortable with one a little larger...especially since its her first one. I know that I cannot happily keep 3 adult Sulcactas. I have the space to separate the two...but not a third. The little guy had a great time today...he enjoyed lots of space to romp outside, a humid hide, an extra long soak and some special attention. In the end we took him back to the breeder. He/she will be going to what I expect (and will keep telling myself) will be a good home. A friend of theirs' wanted the last one...and all the others have already found other homes. No garage sale babies! He was giving out care sheets with them. However, I could tell it was older. Some of the information was a little out of date as far as soaking and humidity. I did some editing of my own for my friend and printed up the links to Sulcata Station and TF. My girls were upset that we weren't keeping him but they get upset every time we got to the pet store and don't get a new pet. I really wish the best for the little guy and will be hopeful for him...I just know I can't handle the loss and I have my hands full with the two I have. I really appreciate all of the advice and help! I feel like I made the right decision for everyone involved.

 

[jpmcclure]

RE: Advice on "Runts"

You did good.

 

[LuckysGirl007]

RE: Advice on "Runts"

You did good.

Thanks you!