Leopard Tortoise's bottom beak falling off. HELP

lala

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Dec 31, 2015
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Good day/ night for those of you in a different time zone to me.

Our local vet contacted my family yesterday as one of their clients came in with a baby tortoise that needed medical attention as their dog had gotten ahold of this little one-our vet does not sepcialise in reptilian care and since we have rehabilitated quite a few of them she thought we should try our magic on this little one.

The vet thinks that she could be a few months old.She seems to have some shell damage but nothing to serious the only thing, I am concerned about is what looks like her bottom beak falling off (please look at the picture)...I have never seen this before. I tried tugging on it with a tweezer but it seems to be attached to the corner of her mouth so I left it alone. I feel that this is stopping her from eating.20151231_104252 (1).jpg

I have been keeping a very close eye on her. Her tummy is working. She drinks water during her soak.
I have also noticed that she has white rings around her eyes and she's quite docile and keeps her eyes closed though I feel that could all be symptoms of traumer.

If anyone has some advice about the falling off beak or anything else I would really appretiate it.

Kind regards
Lala
 

lala

New Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Messages
5
Good day/ night for those of you in a different time zone to me.

Our local vet contacted my family yesterday as one of their clients came in with a baby tortoise that needed medical attention as their dog had gotten ahold of this little one-our vet does not sepcialise in reptilian care and since we have rehabilitated quite a few of them she thought we should try our magic on this little one.

The vet thinks that she could be a few months old.She seems to have some shell damage but nothing to serious the only thing, I am concerned about is what looks like her bottom beak falling off (please look at the picture)...I have never seen this before. I tried tugging on it with a tweezer but it seems to be attached to the corner of her mouth so I left it alone. I feel that this is stopping her from eating.
20151231_104252-1-jpg.160531


I have been keeping a very close eye on her. Her tummy is working. She drinks water during her soak.
I have also noticed that she has white rings around her eyes and she's quite docile and keeps her eyes closed though I feel that could all be symptoms of traumer.

If anyone has some advice about the falling off beak or anything else I would really appretiate it.

Kind regards
Lala
 

yillt

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May 4, 2014
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1,033
I can't quite see from the picture. And I'm just going to give you temporary advice until an experienced member comes along. If she has outer damage, there is a chance she has internal damage and if not, she still will be very stressed. You probably need to contact a vet as not many of TFO members are actually vets. Give her some food and heat/uvb anyway and a nice warm soak and try and leave her alone but you do need to monitor her closely. Good luck (someone should be along soon with more info.)
 

lala

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Dec 31, 2015
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I can't quite see from the picture. And I'm just going to give you temporary advice until an experienced member comes along. If she has outer damage, there is a chance she has internal damage and if not, she still will be very stressed. You probably need to contact a vet as not many of TFO members are actually vets. Give her some food and heat/uvb anyway and a nice warm soak and try and leave her alone but you do need to monitor her closely. Good luck (someone should be along soon with more info.)

Thank you so much for your reply and advice.
 

motero

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We need some better pictures, close ups, different angles, mouth open, in focus. My guess from the picture is the beak is soft, instead of wearing away it is flaking and mushrooming. How is this tortoises calcium intake? How hard is his shell when you squeeze him?
 

Jodie

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Poor baby. I have never seen anything like that, but hopefully someone who can help will see this soon.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Lala, and welcome to the Forum!

I can't really see the beak problem from your picture.

I'm pretty sure a beak grows back, so it probably would be a good idea to try to remove what isn't attached, but I would get with your vet to do it, even though he doesn't specialize in reptiles.

In the meantime, cut up the food into very, very tiny pieces so the tortoise doesn't have to bite off chunks in order to eat. Soak him daily in warm water. And keep his habitat at 80F or above.
 

lala

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Thank you to everyone who tried helping me out yesterday.

:cool:Happy New Year.:D

I have some very sad news:(...our little one sadly passed away this morning.I feel that there might have been some internal damage from the dog attack. May she rest in peace in tortoise heaven:tort:.
 

Yvonne G

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Aw, darn it. I'm so very sorry to read this.
 
M

Maggie Cummings

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I am so sorry to hear that, dog attacks are very hard to over come. You were a good person to try and help.
 

wellington

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So sorry. At least it was with someone that wanted go try and save it. So the little ones pain isn't for nothing this serves as yet another reason DOGS AND TODTOISES DONT MIX for all those out there that still insist its fine.
Not meant for the OP but those reading.
 

TerrapinStation

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Terrible news...... poor thing. thanks for trying to help, and unfortunately this is yet further evidence against those that advocate mixing.
 

lala

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Thank you all for your lovely words:<3:.

I completely agree dogs and tortoises certainly don't mix...but I mean if you do have a dog have the common sense to keep a BABY tortoise away from a dog who might think its a walking chew toy...it's very irresponsible.:(
 

Lyn W

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So very sorry he didn't make it but thank you for trying and giving him a chance.
 

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