Stopped eating

[tortoise_phil]

Hello everybody,

My 7 year old horsefield hasn’t eaten for 7-10 days now. He’s currently on antibiotics for a respiratory infection, we’re only on day 5 of the 14 day course but he’s just not eating. He has no interest in food, however still really active and can tell He’s feeling much better in himself! A variety of food is left out for him to graze on day and night, and it’s regularly changed so it’s stays fresh and yummy. He’s bathed everyday/every otherday and normally has an excellent appetite and loves food so this is quite out of character for him.

For context, we’re having to syringe the antibiotics into his mouth everyday as he’s not eating, getting him to open his mouth is a task in itself, we’re having to prise open his mouth and syringe it in which is very traumatic for everybody...!
He won’t be hibernating (no our choice) and has been moved inside (he’s mainly an outdoor tortoise) as the weather in the UK has declined rapidly the past month or so. Temperatures in his enclosure haven’t changed, they’re still spot on and as they were when he was eating just fine...

We really don’t know what to do, so any suggestions will be appreciated!

 

[KarenSoCal]

Often antibiotics tend to make tortoises not want to eat. You might have to just wait it out until the antibiotics course is completed. Fortunately, tortoises can go a long time without eating.

You may want to consider raising his enclosure temps just a bit for about 2 weeks. The extra warmth helps them fight infections.

 

[tortoise_phil]

Thank you for that, it’s reassuring! I suppose like humans nobody really has an appetite when they’re poorly

 

[KarenSoCal]

Do keep up his soaks! You want to be sure he is fully hydrated while on medicine. Hopefully he will drink while in the bath.