Horsfield tortoise HELP!!!

[kyle1036]

Moderator notice: this thread was copied to this section from the "Welcome" area, in the hopes that more help may be given. Jacqui

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.

 

[Bowser-the-Redfoot]

Take him inside, and give him a warm soak! But after he gets warm...

 

[SILVERSTAR]

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]

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.

 

[Laura]

if he is too cold, he wont eat, and it takes time for them to wake up a bit.
How many hours of light does he have? if too dark, then he will stay sleepy as well.
Warmth and warm water soaks the most important right now...

 

[-ryan-]

When cold blooded animals go below the freezing point the liquid in their eyes freezes and damages their eyes causing blindness. Other organs are similarly effected due to the same process (liquid in the organs freeze and cause damage). I wish I had more information for you, but that's about all that I know on the topic.