E have a 15 year old Desert Tortoise that has suffered brain damage. My husband found him upside down deep in the burrow that he shares with his "siblings". He has always been different because his shell didn't harden properly. Now, he only moves by doing tight circles to the right. He rarely opens his left eye. He can open his mouth, but won't open it to eat. It also makes a weird poplins sound when he does open it. I took him to the vet 3 weeks ago right after it happened. She discovered he also has a bladder stone. I have been soaking him and syringe feeding him Oxbow Critical Care. I can pile his favorite foods in front of him, and he looks at them, but never takes a bite on his own. He also doesn't move himself out of the sun, so I have to watch him closely so he doesn't overheat. We are debating quantity vs quality of life at this point. Does anyone have any experience with this? advice? How long should we give him to see if recovery's possible? Thanks .
Brain damaged tortoise
- Thread starter naptime
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I also have a brain-damaged desert tortoise. She was found at the intersection of two of the busiest streets in town. She hasn't eaten or moved on her own for over a year. During this time I've been tube feeding her every other day. I just made the decision last week to stop feeding her and let her go.
Emysemys, are you going to put her down? Starving to death is one of the worst ways to go.
As for your tort naptime, well I guess you got your answer. Now it's just how long you want to keep her alive. If or when you decide she should go, please have her put down humanely.
As for your tort naptime, well I guess you got your answer. Now it's just how long you want to keep her alive. If or when you decide she should go, please have her put down humanely.
Very sad 
Both decisions to keep him alive or put him down is very hard. Best of luck.
Both decisions to keep him alive or put him down is very hard. Best of luck.
naptime said:
Sorry this happened to you, but I think you are probably making the right decision.
wellington said:
Given Yvonne's extensive history and experience with tortoises, I'm pretty sure she is aware of this.
Perhaps "let her go" was just an odd choice of words.Thanks for the replies. We love this tortoise, but realize that he can't possibly love his life as it is. It is heartbreaking to see him with a pile of his favorite foods in front of him and he doesn't even open his mouth. The other two are strong and healthy.
*hugs* What a tough choice to make. On one hand there is always that faint faint flickering hope we all always hold out for a miracle to happen if we just give it one more day and then there is the reality that miracles don't always happen and today there is perhaps suffering of the tortoise and certainly suffering of his human caretaker. I am sorry this happened to you and to him. You'll make the right choice and actually I think deep down you already have made it. Once more *hugs*
StudentoftheReptile said:wellington said:
Given Yvonne's extensive history and experience with tortoises, I'm pretty sure she is aware of this.
Yes I am aware of Yvonne's experience with tortoises. The statement below is what bothered me.
(last week I decide to stop feeding her and let her go)
I have dealt with a lot of animal deaths, between my own over the years and while working as a vet assistant. Usually "let go" means to die on their own. While "put down" means to assist in the death the humane way.
People see and feel things differently. Some could "let them go" while others, like myself would have to "put them down"
I am so sorry for the pain you and your little tort are experiencing, I wish you both peace....
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