Horsfield tortoise HELP!!!

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kyle1036

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I am a new member with two horsefield tortoises.
I have recently taken my tortoise out of his first hibernation. I think the temperatures dropped below 0 degrees C. After a week out of hibernation he still wasn't back to his usual self. He wasn't eating, drinking, moving around as much as he used to and wasn't reacting to anything that passed in front of his face. I took him to the vets and they said that there could be some damage to the eyes due to the cold temperatures and that the most important thing was to get him drinking water. They instructed me to bathe him twice a day until he starts to urinate. I have been doing this now for five days but I can't see any improvement. I am really worried about him. Can anyone give me any more suggestions?
Thanks.
 

SILVERSTAR

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If its not eating or drinking maybe you could try the babyfood soak as suggested on here before,thats sad it definetly doesnt sound good. KEEP HIM WARM,i hope you the best of luck,i can kinda sympathize with you,i found a bafly damaged box turtle from the cold when i was a kid,he was blind and i wanted to help em but i was 13 and my aunt made me put it back outside,i still think of it and it upsets my stomach,cuz i feel like i coulda saved it if i was older.
 

Jacqui

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Hi and welcome, just wish it was because of a better situation. First of all take some big breaths. Keep in mind that you most likely have some time to get this problem worked out and your tortoise back on his feet. So let's start with some real basic information like, how do you currently have him set up? What temps do you have at? Is he going under his basking light on his own or are you placing him there? Sounds like he is doing some moving around on his own correct?

What foods are you trying to tempt him with?

Meanwhile, keep up the soaks and the babyfood added is a great idea (from the post above). I would suggest keep trying his favorite foods, especially ones that have a high smell factor or bright color to them, especially if his vision is off.

Side note...I moved a copy of this thread to the Russian section, so be sure to also check there for more helpful advice from our members. :)
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Kyle:

Where are you located? I can't understand how the temperature dropped below 0 because tortoises usually dig down to below the frost line. Sounds like you need to read up on hibernation before you try it again.

If your tortoise's eyes have frozen, you would see a white film over the eyeball.

Do you now have him set up indoors with a light and is he warm?
 
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