Babies not doing so well

[Georgieb3]

Hi there. I recently purchased 5 baby sulcata tortoises from a lady who had purchased them from a breeder that was overwhelmed with what they had. She said that the tortoises were malnutrition but she treated them and they were doing great when I got them 2 months ago. They are almost 7 months old now. I have been soaking them daily, they have a heat light, they have a hiding place, diet of mixed greens, hay and supplements, shallow water dish. I have had a little trouble keeping the humidity perfect. Yesterday one of the tortoises was dead when I got home from work. The others were active during their soak and they all ate as I monitored them closely. Today when I arrived home from work, one of them wasn't moving very much and later this evening, he also passed away. When I purchased the babies, the lady said she had kept them altogether in one enclosure, but the more I have red it seems like they do better on their own. Does anyone have any ideas what I could be doing wrong? The 2nd one was so active yesterday for him to have died today and I really don't want to lose another one. Thanks for the help.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Are there any other symptoms? It does sounds like they might have some illness.

Any following symptoms?

• Open mouth breathing
• Bubbly nose
• Swollen eyes or watery eyes
• Shedding skin
• Bumps on the skin
• Missing nails

How much do they weigh?

@Dustin @turtlesteve any idea what this might be?

 

[TammyJ]

Can you please post some pictures of your tortoises so we would be better able to help? Also, we need details of the conditions that they have been kept in, especially the exact kinds of lights and the temperatures in the enclosure. Thanks.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello bless you for taking these babies in! Unfortunately they’re in such a fragile life stage, if they’ve not been started right, sometimes doing everything right moving forward can be a lost causenot saying give up by any means! Miracles can happen! And we all want to help in anyway we can! Don’t suppose you could try answering these questions?

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps, night temps?
What kind of basking bulb are you using specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
What’s your indoor uv type?
How’s humidity reading? Are they in a closed chamber?

A photo of the full set up would be great!

 

[Georgieb3]

Hi there. I recently purchased 5 baby sulcata tortoises from a lady who had purchased them from a breeder that was overwhelmed with what they had. She said that the tortoises were malnutrition but she treated them and they were doing great when I got them 2 months ago. They are almost 7 months old now. I have been soaking them daily, they have a heat light, they have a hiding place, diet of mixed greens, hay and supplements, shallow water dish. I have had a little trouble keeping the humidity perfect. Yesterday one of the tortoises was dead when I got home from work. The others were active during their soak and they all ate as I monitored them closely. Today when I arrived home from work, one of them wasn't moving very much and later this evening, he also passed away. When I purchased the babies, the lady said she had kept them altogether in one enclosure, but the more I have red it seems like they do better on their own. Does anyone have any ideas what I could be doing wrong? The 2nd one was so active yesterday for him to have died today and I really don't want to lose another one. Thanks for

Hi there. I recently purchased 5 baby sulcata tortoises from a lady who had purchased them from a breeder that was overwhelmed with what they had. She said that the tortoises were malnutrition but she treated them and they were doing great when I got them 2 months ago. They are almost 7 months old now. I have been soaking them daily, they have a heat light, they have a hiding place, diet of mixed greens, hay and supplements, shallow water dish. I have had a little trouble keeping the humidity perfect. Yesterday one of the tortoises was dead when I got home from work. The others were active during their soak and they all ate as I monitored them closely. Today when I arrived home from work, one of them wasn't moving very much and later this evening, he also passed away. When I purchased the babies, the lady said she had kept them altogether in one enclosure, but the more I have red it seems like they do better on their own. Does anyone have any ideas what I could be doing wrong? The 2nd one was so active yesterday for him to have died today and I really don't want to lose another one. Thanks for the help.

 

[Georgieb3]

My temperature and humidity thing was off this morning. I think I need ne batteries or a new one. I have been missing the tank but I'm going to get a mister and new temp thing today. I know they shouldn't be in a glass tank, would a wooden box tank with no top be better?

 

[Georgieb3]

Here are the 3 tortoises I have left and their weights. They seem very small to be as old as they are.

 

[turtlesteve]

They have basically zero growth. Those weights are probably close to what they weighed at hatching.

These tortoises have either been cared for very badly (by either the breeder or first owner) or they are very sick. Possibly both, but I feel like a disease is likely the main issue. Start by making sure their care is 100% optimal (focused on temps being warm, 85-95F everywhere, and maintaining high humidity). An aquarium is not the problem and may help you keep heat in and humidity high.

Also try to get some good close up pictures of the head, neck, and front legs so we can see if there are any disease symptoms showing.

Some other options:

- Have a vet check a fecal sample, particularly for cryptosporidium, which is one potential disease to be considered.

- Send a hatchling (one that has just died) out for necropsy to a GOOD lab such as university of Florida.

Note that this isn’t guaranteed to find anything and the chances of saving them is petty low given that it’s been 7 months.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

but I feel like a disease is likely the main issue

That what I was thinking, just not sure what disease.

 

[Yvonne G]

Here are the 3 tortoises I have left and their weights. They seem very small to be as old as they are.

I'm unable to enlarge the pictures, but it looks like none of the three have their eyes open. I think they are very ill. Without blood work the only thing I know to do is up the temperature to 90°F overall and soak them daily. Brfore a script was required I used to soak the sick ones in water soluable Tetracycline powder for cattle and swine. It's a good all purpose antibiotic.

I'm sorry to say, but I don't hold out much hope for these babies. Keep trying, and good luck.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Cover you tank lid with saran wrap and foil near the heat. Do not let the heat drop day or night below 90f as Yvonne mentioned.

I can still get Tetracycline from TSC here in Arkansas. The liquid at least but I've never looked for powder. Check your local TSC and try to soak them in it. You'll need more information from Yvonne about how to use it if you can find it.

They poor health is not from you, this is from the breeder. Not you keeping 5 together, the advice on them not being in pairs, but 5 would have been ok if they weren't in poor health.

Big hugs and prayers for you and them.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Ditto what everyone else said. I hope you post updates for us!

 

[Georgieb3]

I'm unable to enlarge the pictures, but it looks like none of the three have their eyes open. I think they are very ill. Without blood work the only thing I know to do is up the temperature to 90°F overall and soak them daily. Brfore a script was required I used to soak the sick ones in water soluable Tetracycline powder for cattle and swine. It's a good all purpose antibiotic.

I'm sorry to say, but I don't hold out much hope for these babies. Keep trying, and good luck.

 

[Georgieb3]

For some reason it rearranged the pictures. Picture 2 and 3 are one tortoise (Ethan). Picture 1 and 4 are tortoise #2 (Cinnamon). Picture 5 and 6 are tortoise #3 (Meatloaf). Ethan has always been slower, sleeps more often, and never really opens his eyes. Cinnamon and Meatloaf open their eyes sometimes mostly when soaking and eating.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

For some reason it rearranged the pictures. Picture 2 and 3 are one tortoise (Ethan). Picture 1 and 4 are tortoise #2 (Cinnamon). Picture 5 and 6 are tortoise #3 (Meatloaf). Ethan has always been slower, sleeps more often, and never really opens his eyes. Cinnamon and Meatloaf open their eyes sometimes mostly when soaking and eating.

I would prepare for the worst here as these babies do sound very poorly, potentially suffering hatchling failure syndromedon’t let that stop you from applying the above advice and doing your best though, main thing is keeping the babies the right temps with high humidity, keep up with the soaks for hydration and offering food

 

[Yvonne G]

For some reason it rearranged the pictures. Picture 2 and 3 are one tortoise (Ethan). Picture 1 and 4 are tortoise #2 (Cinnamon). Picture 5 and 6 are tortoise #3 (Meatloaf). Ethan has always been slower, sleeps more often, and never really opens his eyes. Cinnamon and Meatloaf open their eyes sometimes mostly when soaking and eating.

A healthy baby has wide open, bright, shiney eyes from the minute he wakes up in the morning.

 

[Georgieb3]

A healthy baby has wide open, bright, shiney eyes from the minute he wakes up in the morning.

I'm going to try to get tetracycline powder to soak them in. How much do I use in one soak? Is there any foods that would be easier for them to eat and give them more nutrients? I am giving them a mixture of spring mix, hay, and tortoise salad topper. I attached a picture of the salad topper I am using. Should i be doing an added calcium supplemet on top of it. I called to get them into the vet but there are only a handful of exotic vets in my area and they are booked for the next few weeks.

 

[Yvonne G]

I think I remember it being a quarter teaspoon per quart of warm water.

Mazuri Tortoise Diet is a good prepared food. You soften the pellets in warm water to make it easier for babies to eat.

 

[Georgieb3]

I think I remember it being a quarter teaspoon per quart of warm water.

Mazuri Tortoise Diet is a good prepared food. You soften the pellets in warm water to make it easier for babies to eat.

Perfect. Thanks so much for all of your help. I just love these little guys and hope they make it.