Hello everyone. I am hoping that you may be able to offer me some advice. My russian tortoise is sick and I do not know what else to do.
It all started last week. I noticed that he had not eaten in a few days. There are times of the year where my tortoise is much more inactive than others and does not have the best appetite (when it is very cold in the winter, and when it is very hot in the summer like right now) so at first I was not extremely alarmed. I went to pick him up after giving him new food, and I noticed that the back of his legs were swollen and it looked like the skin around his arms and head were swollen too. He also hates being handled and will always pull his legs in when I pick him up, and he did not retract them this time.
I brought my tortoise to a vet the next day. The vet asked me what I was feeding him and I told him that I fed my tortoise romaine, and spring mix with the occasional fruit. The vet told me the diet I was feeding my tortoise was very inadequate and he is likely suffering from malnourishment. I always thought this diet was ok, and that is what his previous owner fed him, so I am extremely upset at the news. The vet gave my tortoise a vitamin A and D shot, and said I needed to try to get him to eat to hope for any type of recovery. I immediately went home and gave my tortoise the food that the vet had given me, but my tortoise still will not eat. He does not look as inactive as he did a few days ago, but he still will not touch his food and he still won't walk. I have tried feeding it to him, he still will not eat it. I really do not know what else to do - the vet said if he does not eat in a few more days that I have to bring my tortoise back or I will be "burying him." Does anyone have any other advice in the meantime? I just feel so bad for the little guy
It all started last week. I noticed that he had not eaten in a few days. There are times of the year where my tortoise is much more inactive than others and does not have the best appetite (when it is very cold in the winter, and when it is very hot in the summer like right now) so at first I was not extremely alarmed. I went to pick him up after giving him new food, and I noticed that the back of his legs were swollen and it looked like the skin around his arms and head were swollen too. He also hates being handled and will always pull his legs in when I pick him up, and he did not retract them this time.
I brought my tortoise to a vet the next day. The vet asked me what I was feeding him and I told him that I fed my tortoise romaine, and spring mix with the occasional fruit. The vet told me the diet I was feeding my tortoise was very inadequate and he is likely suffering from malnourishment. I always thought this diet was ok, and that is what his previous owner fed him, so I am extremely upset at the news. The vet gave my tortoise a vitamin A and D shot, and said I needed to try to get him to eat to hope for any type of recovery. I immediately went home and gave my tortoise the food that the vet had given me, but my tortoise still will not eat. He does not look as inactive as he did a few days ago, but he still will not touch his food and he still won't walk. I have tried feeding it to him, he still will not eat it. I really do not know what else to do - the vet said if he does not eat in a few more days that I have to bring my tortoise back or I will be "burying him." Does anyone have any other advice in the meantime? I just feel so bad for the little guy