Sulcata rescue

[ShellyTurtlesCats]

Hello all,

I recently rescued a Sulcata baby from a family that knew absolutely nothing about taking care of them. The baby is in pretty poor shape! The baby is 3" exactly; has a very soft shell, was kept indoors without any lighting, fed iceberg lettuce without any nutritional value and housed in a wet environment. His shell is already showing pyramiding and his back legs hardly give... although he can move them but, no muscle and he's bloated.

So, yesterday he saw his first bout of sunshine, had grass and cactus but is reluctant to really do much besides stay in one spot.

I have a feeling he won't make it but I am pushing for the little guy!

 

[ShellyTurtlesCats]

Rescued Sulcata

2 days ago I rescued Steve (3" baby Sulcata) from a family that had absolutely no idea what they were doing

The 3" baby has a very soft shell, is bloated, hind legs hardly move. The lady said he never saw light, ate iceberg lettuce and was kept in a wet environment. His shell is already pyramiding, too.

1 day ago, Steve saw his first ray of sunshine since who knows when. He ate a little bit of grass and some cactus.

I am not sure he'll make it. He's just so lethargic and so much is wrong!

 

[Ruchonnet]

Re: Rescued Sulcata

Poor guy. Ive heard soaking them in water with some baby food helps. I think theres threads about it on here?

 

[luvpetz27]

RE: Rescued Sulcata

He is just precious! Thank goodness you saved the poor thing!! I hope he gets better!
Hang in there and good luck to you.

 

[J REED]

Re: Rescued Sulcata

Plenty of warm soaks....

Jeremy

 

[ShellyTurtlesCats]

Re: Rescued Sulcata

Okay.

It seems that anytime I soak him, his bloating gets worse and his shell becomes even softer!

Feel so bad for him.

 

[krh11b23]

Rescued Sulcata

Try some baby food soaks and calcium soaks and as u know the sun will be his best friend

 

[Yvonne G]

The edema you see pooching out above the legs MAY be a sign of kidney failure. This happens sometimes with poor care. Also, I used to know an old lady with a bad hunch-back - metabolic bone disease (MBD). She told me that she was in pain most of the time and it hurt just to move. This is the same thing that's happening to your little baby. He won't move much because it is painful to him. Calcium and sunshine, hydration and good food. It may be a long, slow road, but you just might bring him back.

 

[ShellyTurtlesCats]

I wish I could snap my fingers and make him better just that quick. I noticed him having issues breathing...

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwPKKye9mAM

It appears as if he is gasping.

 

[krh11b23]

Well good luck and I sure hope he makes it

 

[ILoveTortoises2]

Oh my... Poor tortoise. Crossing fingers that you will get him better. I know he is in better hands now. It will be a long slow road but I have faith in you to get him better

 

[ainfalt]

I know what it's like to have a tortoise that just won't move or anything. It's eating me alive everyday. I'm so sorry you have to go through this, too. I've tried everything with mine & I've seen progress then it went bad again. I'm not giving up though. Keep trying different things. You're the only thing the poor baby has.

 

[ShellyTurtlesCats]

UPDATE:

This baby passed away today. So very sad. :angel:

 

[sissyofone]

Im so sorry to hear. Thank you so much for trying to help him.

 

[ILoveTortoises2]

Aww I'm so sorry to hear this.

 

[sibi]

Sorry you got to him too late. I k ow this hurts. He looked so frail but precious. Thanks for trying.

 

[ShellyTurtlesCats]

I'm just happy that his last few days were filled with sunshine, good food & soaks. I'm glad he didn't die in those conditions that he was in before he came to me.

RIP, Steve. :angel:

Thanks everyone.

 

[lkwagner]

Such a sad story :'(

 

[Teodora'sDAD]

sorry