Concerns About Crush's Shell

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I, honestly, don't know what to say. To me it's always hard to read such threads and I can't imagine what are you going through. Crush have seen a lot in his life (it's all on his shell) and I'm sure he is living the best and the most comfortable months of his life with you.

I don't know what caused renal failure - disease, injections, wrong husbandry in his previous life, stress or something else. There is a chance, that he will pull through the acute condition and will live many more years. So, as long as he doesn't give up, help him to fight.

That's true about vets. They often don't know about correct husbandry but they've been taught about physiology, infections, medications and all that things. I don't see any "crying illiteracy" in your vet's advise and actions (yet, I'm not a vet myself), so I hope you've found a decent one.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Oh gosh I’m so sorry to be reading these updates! His condition has always been a little out of my depth, but had a hunch there might be something more going on underlying with him, if his shell is anything to go by, this guy has probably lived quite an intense life, there’s truly no telling how poor his condition has been before coming to you, I want you reassured you are taking amazing care of crush! I’m in agreement with Alex that he’s probably been living the most comfortable months of his life with you and you are already giving him every fighting chance! I truly wish I could provide some answers, it’s so difficult with cases like these, there’s never any knowing the past of a wild caught tortoise, so there’s no certainty in what’s contributed to his current condition, we can make guesses at best, but treatment options will probably remain the similar.

I think as the self biting came after the injection, that was probably what caused it, hopefully he’ll continue not to do it anymore.

Continued correct housing, husbandry and all the extra care you’re taking is all he needs right now, I don’t personally think it’s quite at the stage of a difficult decision being made or anything, I’d give things a little bit longer, and I don’t want you for one minute beating yourself no matter the outcome here. My first port of call for advice would be these guys @zovick @Yvonne G @Tom to see if they have some further insight/recommendations.

Crush looks a tough old cookie, I have hope he’ll pull through this

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

Crush passed away tonight...

 

[Daffodil]

I am so sorry. You did everything you could for him.

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

I am so sorry. You did everything you could for him.

Thank you. It hurts so much.... I loved that little boy My fiancé and I are thinking about getting a Hermanns male and naming him Squirt to honor his memory and keep him alive with us in a way.

 

[COmtnLady]

An overdose of Vitamin A makes your skin feel irritated/crawly/itchy from the inside-out. If it is big enough of an overage the skin can fall off. Eskimos (yeah, I know that's not the correct word) don't eat Polar Bear livers because of the A overage it can cause. This is why Crush is grumpy and bite-y.

For future reference, don't allow a Vet to inject vitamins - most of the time they are seriously not needed and cause more harm than good. Its a way for the Vet to pad the charges.

I was about to ask if you tried the half carrot-baby-food, half warm water soaks, but carrots are high in vitamin A and he's already got too much of that. How about half electolites (plain Pedialite or similar), half warm water soaks. It would hydrate and get some nutrients in him. Not sure if it would sooth the skin, or even how to sooth it other than a whole system flush - which can't be done.

 

[COmtnLady]

I'm so sorry. I posted the above before I got to this page, not intending to be a jerk. Sorry.



{{{hugs}}}

With a major organ-system failure it is hard to have much of an effect. You went above and beyond. Thank you for your efforts.

{{{hugs}}}

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Crush passed away tonight...

I'm very sorry to hear that. You did everything you could and should. Crush finally had the care and love he deserved. I'm sure he was soothed and grateful. My condolences...

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

I'm so sorry. I posted the above before I got to this page, not intending to be a jerk. Sorry.



{{{hugs}}}

With a major organ-system failure it is hard to have much of an effect. You went above and beyond. Thank you for your efforts.

{{{hugs}}}

Thank you. I miss him so much.

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

I'm very sorry to hear that. You did everything you could and should. Crush finally had the care and love he deserved. I'm sure he was soothed and grateful. My condolences...

Thank you. He is deeply missed.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Crush passed away tonight...

So sorry for your loss

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

I’m so so sorry to hear this!

You now how sometimes they say an animal waits until they’re in a safe place to cross the rainbow? I think that happened with crush, I think he already had his ailments before coming to you out of everyone’s control, I think he finally, probably for the first time in his life, felt comfortable enough to truly let go, you gave him the best months of his life! And most importantly did absolutely everything you could to save himhe finally knew comfort and love, that’s all that truly matters

I think when you’re ready, trying again one day would be a beautiful thing to do to honour him, you’re in my thoughts

You’ll never be forgotten crush

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

So sorry for your loss

Thank you...

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

I’m so so sorry to hear this!

You now how sometimes they say an animal waits until they’re in a safe place to cross the rainbow? I think that happened with crush, I think he already had his ailments before coming to you out of everyone’s control, I think he finally, probably for the first time in his life, felt comfortable enough to truly let go, you gave him the best months of his life! And most importantly did absolutely everything you could to save himhe finally knew comfort and love, that’s all that truly matters

I think when you’re ready, trying again one day would be a beautiful thing to do to honour him, you’re in my thoughts

You’ll never be forgotten crush

Thank you for your words. It's really hard... I got so attached to him, so fast.
I know i took him out of really bad living conditions, but there's that part of me that is blaming myself for him passing too.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Thank you for your words. It's really hard... I got so attached to him, so fast.
I know i took him out of really bad living conditions, but there's that part of me that is blaming myself for him passing too.

Please don't blame yourself. How could have you known what was going on internally? It is always hard with rescue animals but especially tortoises since they are so hardy animals. Usually when they first start showing symptoms, they are already very ill. And sometimes it is unfortunately too late to do anything.

The vitamin injection was the only mistake in his care, but that is the vets fault and I it probably didn't even matter at that point. Actually, I don't even like thinking about death that way, it being someones fault I mean. It is always a sum of so many different things.

I think you did the best possible thing for Crush by making his last days as comfortable as possible.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you for your words. It's really hard... I got so attached to him, so fast.
I know i took him out of really bad living conditions, but there's that part of me that is blaming myself for him passing too.

Please don’t for one minute blame yourself! As @The_Four_Toed_Edward says above, there’s truly no knowing what he had going on internally, from the beginning I felt there was something more than met the eye, something the best care and treatment(which you gave) couldn’t help, all his symptoms are typical of a tortoise on a decline, I didn’t want you giving up because sometimes there can be a miracle turn around, but it’s very rare once they are past a certain point, it’s always difficult gauging that without seeing him in person.

You gave him the most wonderful months of his life, he didn’t pass under stressful conditions, he was warm, loved and cared for, I promise even in their little pea sized brains, they know when they’re cared foryou went above and beyond, the feelings you have now are a very normal part of the grieving process, in time you’ll see like us that there’s no self blame necessary

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

Please don't blame yourself. How could have you known what was going on internally? It is always hard with rescue animals but especially tortoises since they are so hardy animals. Usually when they first start showing symptoms, they are already very ill. And sometimes it is unfortunately too late to do anything.

The vitamin injection was the only mistake in his care, but that is the vets fault and I it probably didn't even matter at that point. Actually, I don't even like thinking about death that way, it being someones fault I mean. It is always a sum of so many different things.

I think you did the best possible thing for Crush by making his last days as comfortable as possible.

Thank you. I know it's the grief talking, but the thought is still there for now.

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

Please don’t for one minute blame yourself! As @The_Four_Toed_Edward says above, there’s truly no knowing what he had going on internally, from the beginning I felt there was something more than met the eye, something the best care and treatment(which you gave) couldn’t help, all his symptoms are typical of a tortoise on a decline, I didn’t want you giving up because sometimes there can be a miracle turn around, but it’s very rare once they are past a certain point, it’s always difficult gauging that without seeing him in person.

You gave him the most wonderful months of his life, he didn’t pass under stressful conditions, he was warm, loved and cared for, I promise even in their little pea sized brains, they know when they’re cared foryou went above and beyond, the feelings you have now are a very normal part of the grieving process, in time you’ll see like us that there’s no self blame necessary

Thank you. I know the sad parts will pass with time. And hopefully soon just his happy memories. His enclosure next to my bed just is making things extra raw for now.
Which is why my fiancé and I want to adopt a Hermanns (similar to Crush, but enough different), and name him Squirt. Pass on the beautiful things we built for Crush, plus the love we had for him, but that he didn't have enough time to get to enjoy.... you know?

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you. I know the sad parts will pass with time. And hopefully soon just his happy memories. His enclosure next to my bed just is making things extra raw for now.
Which is why my fiancé and I want to adopt a Hermanns (similar to Crush, but enough different), and name him Squirt. Pass on the beautiful things we built for Crush, plus the love we had for him, but that he didn't have enough time to get to enjoy.... you know?

Totally get it and I think offering a wonderful new home for a tortoise is a beautiful thing to do to honour his memory, he’d be looking down so happy and proud of you, he’d want to see another tortoise put a smile on your face

Our red foot is actually called Squirt! Adorable name

 

[Squirt the Dalmation]

Totally get it and I think offering a wonderful new home for a tortoise is a beautiful thing to do to honour his memory, he’d be looking down so happy and proud of you, he’d want to see another tortoise put a smile on your face

Our red foot is actually called Squirt! Adorable name

It's a Finding Nemo thing for us