Soft shell and leaking (horse field tortoise)

[Rubytortoise__]

Hello everyone! (Our tortoise is a female horse field tortoise and is 14 months old)
my sisters tortoise was very still but we assumed that was ok because we have started the hibernation process. When she went to pick her up earlier her shell was very soft but springy??? Also liquids came out of her shell ( her encloser also smelled) We assumed that she had desceased but later on today we noticed that her head had moved into her body. We’re going to take her to the vets but can’t for 5 days because our family have to isolate is there anything an do mean while? Thanks in advanced x

 

[TheLastGreen]

@Tom @Yvonne G can help, if you can, please send photos of the tort and enclosure

 

[Rubytortoise__]

@Tom @Yvonne G can help, if you can, please send photos of the tort and enclosure

Yes of course, I’ve just noticed a crack in her shell while taking these and I’ve tried to make that apparent in the photos. We have a large encloser for her but we down sized because we felt she was over whelmed in that. Her heat lamp is set at 90 f I belive. (Sorry this is my sisters but she doesn’t know how to use forums).

 

[TheLastGreen]

Are the eyes indented?

 

[TheLastGreen]

@ZenHerper what do you think?

 

[TeamZissou]

Unfortunately, it looks like your tortoise has died. I'm sorry to see this.

 

[TheLastGreen]

The same happened to one of my torts a few days ago, I'm sorry for your loss

 

[ZenHerper]

@ZenHerper what do you think?

I'm sorry to say that this wee one has been dead for a few days.

A lot of care practices are to keep this species too dry, too cold, too exposed, and without a varied diet as youngsters. If you decide to try again, use a larger enclosure that is filled with plants. This is the most up to date care information:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Rubytortoise__]

I'm sorry to say that this wee one has been dead for a few days.

A lot of care practices are to keep this species too dry, too cold, too exposed, and without a varied diet as youngsters. If you decide to try again, use a larger enclosure that is filled with plants. This is the most up to date care information:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Thank you all so much for confirming this. My sisters trying to come to terms with this because it’s very surprising to us! If you don’t mind me asking do any of you know how she passed?

 

[ZenHerper]

Thank you all so much for confirming this. My sisters trying to come to terms with this because it’s very surprising to us! If you don’t mind me asking do any of you know how she passed?

It would be difficult to say with the body in this condition.

Compare the care you've been told to give with the care sheet I listed above to eliminate causes after adoption...but many tortoises are hatched into sub-optimal conditions at the breeder, and/or kept in sub-optimal conditions at the pet store/broker's.

Your sister's feelings are entirely understandable. Let us know how to help.

 

[Hutsie B]

So sorry for the loss, the tortoise does indeed look like she is dead to me.

 

[Lyn W]

So sorry for your sister's loss.
There's a lot of old and incorrect information still passed on by shops, some breeders , social media and even non specialist vets - people we assume know what they are talking, about but sadly that's not the case. It's only when you find somewhere like this forum you realise there are much better and safer ways of keeping torts.
If in time she feels ready to give a home to another, then please tell her to read the caresheet linked above beforehand so that she'll be able to have everything in place to help the tort stay happy and healthy. She'll not find anywhere better to learn.

 

[TheLastGreen]

Sadly most members here also only found this forum after their first tort had passed. Like @Lyn W said, we all have learned from our mistakes which we received from outdated knowledge. We used a second chance to look after our current or new torts and they are thriving. Your sister acted on what she thought was best, just like any responsible and caring tortoise owner would do.?

 

[Yvonne G]

People are sometimes fooled into thinking their dead pet is still alive because the animal seems to move. After the animals dies things inside start to decompose. This process creates gasses. The increasing amount of gas inside the body cause legs and heads to sometimes move.

It's obvious to me the baby has died because of the eyes. They're very dry and sunken in.

I'm so very sorry you and your sister had to experience this. It's so very hard to lose them.

 

[MenagerieGrl]

I'm so sorry, you, your sister and this wee one have had to go through this.
It is tragic, less than a year ago I list my Hermann's. Tried vet care, but he still succumbed.
So, I and a lot of us here have experienced the loss first hand.
Sending prayers your way.....?