Sick Russian Tortoise

[Sunshie]

Hi all,
I recently took on a 10 year old Russian from a local family who had to move and am trying to figure out how to keep her as comfortable as possible and get her back in shape. The family had her for 9 months and according to the vet had been feeding her much too much of the wrong stuff. I've had her about a week and have to admit that mammals are my strong suit. I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Any advice would be appreciated. Here is the scoop.

• Hasn't eaten in at least 2 weeks (a week with me and reportedly a week with the family)
• Eyes closed up a week before I got her reportedly (reason she won't eat?)
• Received vitamin A shot a week ago, another the other day plus an antibiotic and B12.
• Super lethargic (only moves when I am chasing her about a bit and then very little)

What I am currently doing:

• Soaking once daily for 30 minutes (changing that to twice now based on another thread I read)
• Not syringe feeding on vet recommendation (she said she would be fine for now)
• Using toothbrush and qtips to clean of dead skin and shell that she hasn't shed properly
• Using qtip to soak and try to help her open her eyes (I can see the divide where the lids meet now but no more. The eyes seem swollen or ***** under the lids?)
• She is in a small tank for now with a basking area and a covered area averaging about 90 degrees.
• Lighting is a Reptisun 10 UVB during the day and ZooMed Red Heat Lamp all day.

That's about where we are. Thank you in advance for any and all advice. I want to do this poor girl justice.

Sunshie and Toph

 

[Yvonne G]

HE's got a lot of new growth. After having already received a vitamin A injection, watch for peeling skin leaving raw red flesh showing. We don't advocate those injections.

I suggest the carrot/water soaks: Using a good brand baby food, add a jar of strained carrots to a bowl the tortoise can't climb out of, a bowl with a fairly small foot print, but tall sides. Add enough warm water to have the mixture some up to the middle of the tortoise's sides. Leave him soaking in there for an hour or more, keeping a close watch to make sure he doesn't tip upside down in the water. You can position a light over the edge of the bowl, but not directly on the tortoise. If you do this daily, the eyes will be open by the third day. Once you get the eyes open, you need to figure out why he's not eating and correct that or the eyes will just close again. REad our russian tortoise care sheet: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/ and make any changes or adjustments to the way you have the tortoise set up. The care sheet also gives you tips on what to offer him to eat.

Because this is the time they should be brumating, you're going to have to be sure to keep the lights on for 14 hours a day. And keep getting him out of hiding and place him in front of the food. Don't let him stay buried all day long. I do that every time I walk by the enclosure throughout the day. So keep him warm while he's sick, with just a slight drop in temperature at night. Once he's better and eating like he should, you can allow more of a night time cool down, and more of a temperature gradient during the day.

 

[Sunshie]

Yvonne G,
Thanks so much. I will add the baby food to our evening soak. I can't wait to see her a little healthier. It hurts to see her as she is even if the vet says she's going to be just fine.

I also wanted to add that during soaks and in tanks, I have seen no evidence of urination or defecation. I don't entirely expect it as she hasn't eaten. However, I am also a horse owner and have a long established worry response over lack of bowel movements.

Sunshie

 

[Yvonne G]

Did you miss the part where I said, "HE'S"?

 

[TammyJ]

Did you miss the part where I said, "HE'S"?

Lol!!! It's a BOY!

 

[TammyJ]

Welcome and all the best for your tortoise's recovery. You are in good hands here.

 

[Sunshie]

Did you miss the part where I said, "HE'S"?

I very much did miss it! I am so used to dealing with mammals, I didn't even question when the previous owners said she. And the vet did not correct the assumption. How can you tell? My curiosity abounds!

 

[Yvonne G]

The tail. Female tails are much, much smaller.

 

[Sunshie]

The tail. Female tails are much, much smaller.

Thanks! We’re having our carrot soak now.

 

[Samantha Graham]

Good luck with your little fella, he’s in good hands now . Carrot baby food soaks can do wonders, I hope his eyes open soon.
I’ve a 6 year old Russian, a little monkey still stomping around despite the cold weather here.