Help not eating

[Brina]

Help my lil guy still isn't doing very good. He won't eat anything and has been in the hospital all week being tube feed and on an antibiotic. I have done everything suggested to me with no improvement. I brought him home lastnight and he won't move at all. The vet is hoping he will get hungry and just start eating but i'm not too sure about that. I'm so extremely scared and worried

 

[Careym13]

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Can you tell us about how he is housed? What are your four temps? Did the vet diagnose him with anything?

 

[Greg T]

Key things to check: higher temps in the enclosure (80-90 degrees), high humidity, and a good choice of food such as chopped up spring mix, red and green leaf lettuce for starters. Was he eating before? if so, give him more of whatever he was eating. Make sure you soak him in warm water once or twice a day for like 10-15 minutes.

There is a good possibility he will not make it at this point, but it probably isn't your fault. Some babies just don't make it for various reasons. Do your best and hope for a good outcome. I have my fingers crossed for you and the baby.

 

[Brina]

His substrate is coco coir mixed with plain top soil and sphagnum moss. He has 2 hides 3 water dishes and 2 food dishes right now so wherever he goes he has something. His humidity i try to keep between 80 and 90 and his temps range cool side 80-85, basking spot is usually between 92 and 98 and the opposite end stays around 90. I have him in a glass aquarium with tin foil over the top to keep the humidity and heat under control. He was was eatting cactus pads, kale, mustard and collard greens, banana leaves, spring mix. i would dust his food with vitamins 2 to 3 times a week alternating with the tortoise salad dressing.

 

[Brina]

Key things to check: higher temps in the enclosure (80-90 degrees), high humidity, and a good choice of food such as chopped up spring mix, red and green leaf lettuce for starters. Was he eating before? if so, give him more of whatever he was eating. Make sure you soak him in warm water once or twice a day for like 10-15 minutes.

There is a good possibility he will not make it at this point, but it probably isn't your fault. Some babies just don't make it for various reasons. Do your best and hope for a good outcome. I have my fingers crossed for you and the baby.

Yes he was eating great i honestly don't know what happened. I am supposed to take him back to the vet on monday he says he was just dehydrated but im not sure he goes to the bathroom everyday.

 

[Lyn W]

I'm sure I've read on the forum that some antibiotics affect appetite, so maybe its that. Many use a carrot baby food soak to perk up poor eaters, if you do a search you'll probably find out more about that. I don't know anything about your climate or night temps but as he's a baby do you have any night heat such as a CHE after lights out ?
I do hope he gets over this soon.

 

[Brina]

Ive been reading like crazy on the forum so I have tried the carrot soak but he really didnt even drink that. He does have a CHE at night to keep the temp above 80. He seemed to do good on tuesday night when i picked him up from the vet he was everywhere ate a little tiny bit and drank alot then all of a sudden he just stopped and didnt move anymore. I took him back on thursday morning and now he just isn't interested in anything.

 

[Yvonne G]

Soak him in warm water every day for a half hour, but keep you eye on him in case he tips over in the water.

 

[Brina]

Soak him in warm water every day for a half hour, but keep you eye on him in case he tips over in the water.

I soak him everyday 2 times a day for 20 - 30 minutes at a time. Before he would drink while in there now he almost falls asleep other times he will only be active in the soak then when i take him out he just falls back to sleep in his food.

 

[Lyn W]

Ive been reading like crazy on the forum so I have tried the carrot soak but he really didnt even drink that. He does have a CHE at night to keep the temp above 80. He seemed to do good on tuesday night when i picked him up from the vet he was everywhere ate a little tiny bit and drank alot then all of a sudden he just stopped and didnt move anymore. I took him back on thursday morning and now he just isn't interested in anything.

I have never seen my tort drink while in his bath, but apparently they do somehow 'absorb' fluids, so maybe try again. There is something else with electrolytes I've read about that some people add to the water for poorly torts. If you search for electrolytes you'll probably find a product name. Sorry I can't remember it.

 

[Greg T]

Try to get him out in some good, direct sunlight for an hour or more. I've seen that perk up my guys quite a bit and get them active.

 

[dmmj]

antibiotics often through a tortoise off their feed for a while. why exactly were the antibiotics prescribed?

 

[Brina]

He was on panacur and I can't take him outside I live in Colorado and there is snow on the ground even by the windows it's too cold for him

 

[Brina]

The dr never gave a reason for the antibiotic and when I talked to him her called my Dude a turtle I really am questioning his expertise. Today my guy is very weak I don't think he is going to make it I'm heartbroken

 

[Kevin Kaz]

The dr never gave a reason for the antibiotic and when I talked to him her called my Dude a turtle I really am questioning his expertise. Today my guy is very weak I don't think he is going to make it I'm heartbroken

I'm wishing you the best! I hope all works out!

 

[dmmj]

far too many vets prescribe antibiotics as a precaution when there's nothing actually wrong. But to be honest the antibiotics should not be causing any harm there may be another reason

 

[Brina]

With a broken heart I have to say Dude passed during the night. He was extremely weak yesterday but was more awake then previous days. I am devastated my guy was spoiled and I know I did everything possible to help him. I am extremely grateful to everyone here on the forum for all ur help and encouragement.

 

[JoesMum]

With a broken heart I have to say Dude passed during the night. He was extremely weak yesterday but was more awake then previous days. I am devastated my guy was spoiled and I know I did everything possible to help him. I am extremely grateful to everyone here on the forum for all ur help and encouragement.

I am really sorry to hear of your loss

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Panacur is not an antibiotic.
It is a mild poison given to get rid of parasites in the gut.

 

[Kevin Kaz]

With a broken heart I have to say Dude passed during the night. He was extremely weak yesterday but was more awake then previous days. I am devastated my guy was spoiled and I know I did everything possible to help him. I am extremely grateful to everyone here on the forum for all ur help and encouragement.

I'm sorry for your loss! I've been there before with one of my aquatic turtles. It was worth the $200 in vet bills.