Bubbles Galore

[MPRC]

Go Bubbles, go! She swims better than my little (4inch) redfoot. The two times I've overfilled her bath to see what happens she floats, struggles and then gives me the stink eye for the rest of the bath once I lower the water level.

 

[wellington]

I had wondered if she could swim, being deformed like that. I guess she just needed a little more strength then the first times you tried. I bet if you get her swimming a couple times a day, it will be no time and she will ve walking just fine.
Love the vid.

 

[Anyfoot]

A 10 sec video of her rehab

Hi mike. I only just managed to load that video. Excellent stuff, can't believe how she swims. So exited about this tort. Makes me happy to see. You genuinely are a nice down to earth bloke.

 

[Alaskamike]

Made her outside pen. Just for daytime.

Swims 3x / day. 20 min

Respiratory infection gone

Still eating mushed up food well

Fingers crossed she will walk again soon , but as long as she eats I'll just keep feeding her and wait it out.

 

[Angel Carrion]

Made her outside pen. Just for daytime.

Swims 3x / day. 20 min

Respiratory infection gone

Still eating mushed up food well

Fingers crossed she will walk again soon , but as long as she eats I'll just keep feeding her and wait it out.

Wow sounds like she's doing really good

 

[Rutibegga]

Go Bubbles go!

 

[Alaskamike]

I'm going to do a video of her therapy and progress soon and post it on my tortoisetales UTube channel. Maybe show the problems a tortoise can have with improper environment.
And just a few ideas on how to rehab one.

Maybe if people see the consequences of neglect they will pay more attention to their babies.

This one is so small and helpless she is a good example of how not to do it

 

[Alaskamike]

It's been 16 days. Bubbles weight is 342 grams. A loss of about 30 grams.
I believe this is due to her getting more activity with the water therapy and hydration.

She is defiantly more active. Even though she scoots and drags her back legs. And eats well the variety I give her all chopped up.

She did seem a bit swollen when I got her , especially around her neck and front legs. That's gone down.

So once her weight stabilizes I expect it to start going up slowly.

 

[Alaskamike]

Bubbles is out of ICU hahaha , URI gone, and into a more natural environment with dirt and plants to dig in. Her plastron is firmer too. Eyes are now bright with no signs of swelling.

She still doesn't walk with back legs they way she should but scoots around better. I think the daily swims are making her back legs stronger. Sometimes I feel a bit sorry for her with the water therapy since I put her in water she HAS to float and swim in , but it's only 2x / day. 20-30 min each time. She is a good swimmer ! My main concern is if the bones didn't form just right , even with the calcium , and sunlight she needs she may not walk again. But she's a trooper and seems better.

Such a good little eater ! So that gives me hope.
She's getting a good variety , including some worms. I think with her underbite , she just was not able to eat right.

Haven't been able to locate my drummer tool , but when I do I'll file it down some. Feeding her on a paving stone has worn it off some but it still has a ways to go.


Mush mouth


New habitat.
I chop & mush her food together now. But I think with the underbite corrected she could eat more normally.

 

[Anyfoot]

Bubbles is out of ICU hahaha , URI gone, and into a more natural environment with dirt and plants to dig in. Her plastron is firmer too. Eyes are now bright with no signs of swelling.

She still doesn't walk with back legs they way she should but scoots around better. I think the daily swims are making her back legs stronger. Sometimes I feel a bit sorry for her with the water therapy since I put her in water she HAS to float and swim in , but it's only 2x / day. 20-30 min each time. She is a good swimmer ! My main concern is if the bones didn't form just right , even with the calcium , and sunlight she needs she may not walk again. But she's a trooper and seems better.

Such a good little eater ! So that gives me hope.
She's getting a good variety , including some worms. I think with her underbite , she just was not able to eat right.

Haven't been able to locate my drummer tool , but when I do I'll file it down some. Feeding her on a paving stone has worn it off some but it still has a ways to go.

View attachment 145198
Mush mouth

View attachment 145199
New habitat.
I chop & mush her food together now. But I think with the underbite corrected she could eat more normally.

That's unbelievable news Mike. Can't believe how well you have done.

 

[Angel Carrion]

I am so glad to hear this!
Even if she doesn't regain full function of her back legs, scooting around is still an improvement and as long as it doesn't pain her, I don't see an issue. Though if all she will ever be able to do is scoot, maybe making her a little cart that will lift her back end up just enough that her feet would be on the ground and she could push off with them instead of how she is now? The cart could have wheels on either side, kind of like a walker for people with leg issues? A tortie walker!

 

[Alaskamike]

Awww. Thanks @Anyfoot. The folks here have been very helpful with encouragement and suggestions. Not sure I would've tried without the info here.
My first Redfoot was certainly an odd choice and not something I was even looking for. I'm a sucker for animals that are in need. Always have been.

 

[Anyfoot]

Awww. Thanks @Anyfoot. The folks here have been very helpful with encouragement and suggestions. Not sure I would've tried without the info here.
My first Redfoot was certainly an odd choice and not something I was even looking for. I'm a sucker for animals that are in need. Always have been.

I was going to ask if you had other redfoots, but you just answered that. What other torts you got?

 

[Alaskamike]

I was going to ask if you had other redfoots, but you just answered that. What other torts you got?

Other torts - it's kinda embarrassing. I did not intend on being a " collector". But ....
I have an Aldabra ( my intention was to have only the Aldab. She/he is 6+ lbs)
2 Sulcatas ( 1st was a rescue , I have no excuse for the 2 nd one)
A leopard ( he was just so healthy and pretty !)
2 Florida box turtles ( I'm keeping only a few months till owners finish their house )
And Bubbles.

All have their own enclosures. Except the boxes share as they always have acc to owner)

In my defense I've turned down 2 other sully rescues and stopped looking at Craigs list. .
It's a start to recovery. Lol.



I swear I'm not getting any more .... Unless.... Hummmm .....

 

[Anyfoot]

Other torts - it's kinda embarrassing. I did not intend on being a " collector". But ....
I have an Aldabra ( my intention was to have only the Aldab. She/he is 6+ lbs)
2 Sulcatas ( 1st was a rescue , I have no excuse for the 2 nd one)
A leopard ( he was just so healthy and pretty !)
2 Florida box turtles ( I'm keeping only a few months till owners finish their house )
And Bubbles.

All have their own enclosures. Except the boxes share as they always have acc to owner)

In my defense I've turned down 2 other sully rescues and stopped looking at Craigs list. .
It's a start to recovery. Lol.



I swear I'm not getting any more .... Unless.... Hummmm .....

Well, redfoots live well in groups.

 

[Angel Carrion]

Other torts - it's kinda embarrassing. I did not intend on being a " collector". But ....
I have an Aldabra ( my intention was to have only the Aldab. She/he is 6+ lbs)
2 Sulcatas ( 1st was a rescue , I have no excuse for the 2 nd one)
A leopard ( he was just so healthy and pretty !)
2 Florida box turtles ( I'm keeping only a few months till owners finish their house )
And Bubbles.

All have their own enclosures. Except the boxes share as they always have acc to owner)

In my defense I've turned down 2 other sully rescues and stopped looking at Craigs list. .
It's a start to recovery. Lol.



I swear I'm not getting any more .... Unless.... Hummmm .....

That's my problem, too. I can't say no to a needy animal.

 

[stojanovski92113]

I'm so happy to hear the improvements!! That tortoise is so darn adorable!!

 

[Alaskamike]

Bubbles is out of ICU and into a better hospital room
A concrete
mix tub with good soil , plants and regulated sunshine.

I put a piece of plywood over one end to give her a dark hide area. She still eats on a paving tile - the mush I make her. 2x/ day

Water therapy is going well
Not walking yet but tries more.
She seems comfortable in her new digs.

Plastron has firmed up nicely.

 

[Anyfoot]

Bubbles is out of ICU and into a better hospital room
A concrete
mix tub with good soil , plants and regulated sunshine.

I put a piece of plywood over one end to give her a dark hide area. She still eats on a paving tile - the mush I make her. 2x/ day

Water therapy is going well
Not walking yet but tries more.
She seems comfortable in her new digs.
View attachment 145580
Plastron has firmed up nicely.

Nice work Mike. I can see the underbite clearly now. This is the 1st time I've seen an underbite beak.

 

[stojanovski92113]

I seriously love this tortoise. Just so adorable! Great job taking this tortoise and caring for him!!