Help Needed. (refuses to eat or drink)

Athena2000

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This is a Greek tortoise. Unfortunately, it has been poorly cared for for quite some time. She didn't have much space or substrate in her enclosure. She had a really poor diet. She has been refusing to eat or drink for about a week now. She doesn't move at all. She barely open her eyes. Her eyes are puffy and there's whiteness around them.

I was wondering if there is any temporary solution to get her better??
I've been giving her lukewarm water baths for three days now, but there isn't any improvement.

IMG_20200807_095745.jpgIMG_20200807_095805.jpgIMG_20200808_154033.jpgIMG_20200808_154152.jpg
 

Toddrickfl1

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You need to take this Tortoise to an exotic Vet if at all possible, although from the sound of it it's probably too late.
 

Yvonne G

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When a tortoise is in that position, with the legs stretched out, it sometimes means the y're not warm enough. They're exposing as much skin as they can to absorb the 'rays.'

This tortoise is a good candidate for the 50/50 warm water/carrot babyfood soaks. I would set it up in a smaller hospital tank with an overall temperature of 85F degrees and soak daily as above for at least an hour a day.

You can have daily trips, under supervision, outside to sit in the sun for about a half hour a day.
 

Athena2000

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You need to take this Tortoise to an exotic Vet if at all possible, although from the sound of it it's probably too late.
When a tortoise is in that position, with the legs stretched out, it sometimes means the y're not warm enough. They're exposing as much skin as they can to absorb the 'rays.'

This tortoise is a good candidate for the 50/50 warm water/carrot babyfood soaks. I would set it up in a smaller hospital tank with an overall temperature of 85F degrees and soak daily as above for at least an hour a day.

You can have daily trips, under supervision, outside to sit in the sun for about a half hour a day.
Thank you! I'll try it out.
 

Pastel Tortie

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I looked on the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) website, and they didn't have anyone listed in Egypt.

If you are located near a zoo or near an academic institution (especially if they have a biology program), those are the types of places I would suggest contacting to see if they know of any veterinarians or specialists who deal with exotic animals. I wish you luck.
 

Athena2000

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I looked on the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) website, and they didn't have anyone listed in Egypt.

If you are located near a zoo or near an academic institution (especially if they have a biology program), those are the types of places I would suggest contacting to see if they know of any veterinarians or specialists who deal with exotic animals. I wish you luck.
Thank you! I'll check with the academic institutions near by.
 

Minority2

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Can you show us picture(s) of your tortoise's enclosure?
What specific lighting fixtures and bulbs do you use?
What is the temperature of the basking spot area, ambient, hot and cool side temperatures along with the general humidity level zones you have working with in your enclosure?
What type of substrate are you using?

From what you're describing the tortoise is going through a variety of symptoms. Some much more serious than others but also some that can be fixed by changing the way your enclosure is setup.
 

Athena2000

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Can you show us picture(s) of your tortoise's enclosure?
What specific lighting fixtures and bulbs do you use?
What is the temperature of the basking spot area, ambient, hot and cool side temperatures along with the general humidity level zones you have working with in your enclosure?
What type of substrate are you using?

From what you're describing the tortoise is going through a variety of symptoms. Some much more serious than others but also some that can be fixed by changing the way your enclosure is setup.
It's actually not my tortoise. It is kept in really bad conditions. It is living now in a wide plastic pot, kind of thing. Before that it used to live in a cardboard box. Unfortunately, she had no substrate, it was just a couple of papers beneath her. Whether it was the cardboard box or now with the plastic thing her place for seven years now has been the balcony. So, she had access to natural lighting.
I'm working now on getting her a decent enclosure to live in with substrate and all, but these things aren't that available where I live.
 

Minority2

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It's actually not my tortoise. It is kept in really bad conditions. It is living now in a wide plastic pot, kind of thing. Before that it used to live in a cardboard box. Unfortunately, she had no substrate, it was just a couple of papers beneath her. Whether it was the cardboard box or now with the plastic thing her place for seven years now has been the balcony. So, she had access to natural lighting.
I'm working now on getting her a decent enclosure to live in with substrate and all, but these things aren't that available where I live.

In fairness, natural light that comes through a window blocks out 75-95 percent or more of any ultra violet rays including uv(B) depending on the type of glass used.

For now, temperature levels, daily soakings, and as well as the tortoise's diet should be your main concern.

Read this and follow what you can. Ask for help on anything you need explaining.

1. Your bulbs can possibly be an issue and the cause of puffy, white, shut eyes.
2. The temperature may be not high enough to allow the tortoise to properly digest.
3. The type of food the tortoise is given may also be the cause of the impactation.
4. Offer laxative type foods like aloe vera and cactus pads along with daily soakings to try to get your tortoise to go.
5. @Yvonne G's carrot water soaking suggestion is always highly recommended for non-eating/sick tortoises. They need what ever nutrients you can give them.
 

Athena2000

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In fairness, natural light that comes through a window blocks out 75-95 percent or more of any ultra violet rays including uv(B) depending on the type of glass used.

For now, temperature levels, daily soakings, and as well as the tortoise's diet should be your main concern.

Read this and follow what you can. Ask for help on anything you need explaining.

1. Your bulbs can possibly be an issue and the cause of puffy, white, shut eyes.
2. The temperature may be not high enough to allow the tortoise to properly digest.
3. The type of food the tortoise is given may also be the cause of the impactation.
4. Offer laxative type foods like aloe vera and cactus pads along with daily soakings to try to get your tortoise to go.
5. @Yvonne G's carrot water soaking suggestion is always highly recommended for non-eating/sick tortoises. They need what ever nutrients you can give them.
By carrot water soaking, you mean just simply putting some carrots in water with the right temperature and then putting her in that water? Also, is there any shortcut to help her get better before improving her life conditions or is it the only way? It's just I'm worried that building her a good enclosure with the right temperature levels might, unavoidably, take some time. Also, she hasn't been eating for almost 8 days now.
 
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Minority2

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By carrot water soaking, you mean just simply putting some carrots in water with the right temperature and then putting her in that water? Also, is there any shortcut to help her get better before improving her life conditions or is it the only way? It's just I'm worried that building her a good enclosure might, unavoidably, take some time.

There are probably different ways to make a carrot water soak. You can run it through a juicer or food processor. A inch or two or a couple round slices is plenty. Soak that in water that's a bit hotter to the touch for 5-10 or so minutes before soaking your tortoise into the carrot water solution. The water should cool down to warmer temperatures by then. Prepare enough to be able to switch it out if the tortoise poops or pees during soaking to last a full hour if needed.

No shortcuts I'm afraid. Everything has to be changed to ensure that the tortoise is giving every chance they need to improve upon their condition. A veterinarian that doesn't specialize in tortoises may possibly even cause the tortoise additional issues if diagnosed incorrectly.

For example: A lack of substrate prevents a tortoise from properly keeping themselves warm throughout the night. They won't be able to thermo-regulate. They have nothing to cling onto. The heat and humidity that would've stayed on the ground with the substrate during the night is nowhere to be found.
 

Athena2000

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There are probably different ways to make a carrot water soak. You can run it through a juicer or food processor. A inch or two or a couple round slices is plenty. Soak that in water that's a bit hotter to the touch for 5-10 or so minutes before soaking your tortoise into the carrot water solution. The water should cool down to warmer temperatures by then. Prepare enough to be able to switch it out if the tortoise poops or pees during soaking to last a full hour if needed.

No shortcuts I'm afraid. Everything has to be changed to ensure that the tortoise is giving every chance they need to improve upon their condition. A veterinarian that doesn't specialize in tortoises may possibly even cause the tortoise additional issues if diagnosed incorrectly.

For example: A lack of substrate prevents a tortoise from properly keeping themselves warm throughout the night. They won't be able to thermo-regulate. They have nothing to cling onto. The heat and humidity that would've stayed on the ground with the substrate during the night is nowhere to be found.
When soaking her I can put her in something small relative to the space it needs since she isn't moving, or does it have to be wide enough as if she can move?
 

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