Update on Shelldon

[Masqurade]

Okay so I went out right after work and bought a new container, with a lid, new substrate, a humidity gage and some scuttle bones. When I got home he had a nice long soak in warm water while I set up his new home.

Unfortunatly he did not wish to eat again, but it was 8:30 pm by the time I got everything set up so he was probably tired. I hope this helps to turn him around and that I did not damage him too much by being in such a dry enclosure.

 

[wellington]

Ummm, did you not read the rules about must post pics. Just kidding. Would love to see them though. Don't worry about the damage you may have done. If you would have known better you would have done better. You are not alone in being told the wrong info. Tortoise can be very tuff. Keep going in the right direction and I'm sure he will do just fine.

 

[Masqurade]

Lol. I will get photos up as soon as I can get them to my computer! He has been so dehydrated tees last two weeks, I feel so bad, I wish I had found this site sooner!

Just out of curiosity, he hasn't eaten in about two weeks but he has still been having bowl movements, is that normal? And when should I be concerned enough to take him to the vet?

 

[BowDownBowser]

Lol. I will get photos up as soon as I can get them to my computer! He has been so dehydrated tees last two weeks, I feel so bad, I wish I had found this site sooner!

Just out of curiosity, he hasn't eaten in about two weeks but he has still been having bowl movements, is that normal? And when should I be concerned enough to take him to the vet?

Do you only feed him while you're watching or does he always have food? It could be possible that he is just eating when you're not around. What are you feeding him? A friend of mine had a sulcata that hadn't been eating and they had a few options. A feeding tube surgically placed to the stomach, force feeding oxbow critical care finely ground food, fluid injections for re-hydration, and force feeding liquid calcium to replenish calcium levels. Not sure what other vets will say, but that's what the one where I'm from recommends.

 

[Masqurade]

I WAS soaking him every other day and then feeding him afterwards, roughly around 5:30-6:00 pm. Two weeks ago we lost power for 3 days and his enclosure fell to being 50 degrees at night and maybe 60 degrees during the day.

After that he just became very lethargic.

I have also since learned his total enclosure was not appropriate and I have since made changes as stated above. I offered him chopped up romaine lettuce, kale and collard greens tonight around 8:45 pm. But he just went and fell asleep on his cuttle bone. I know he won't turn around in a few hours, but I didn't know if I should take him to the vet or if I still had some time before I needed to worry.

 

[Yvonne G]

In my opinion, you should be offering food in the morning. I used to have to be at work at 6a.m. and it took me about a half hour to get there and about an hour to get ready to leave. So in order to feed all my animals and get their lights turned on and water changed and poop picked up, I had to get up pretty darned early in the morning. But when the animals were ready to come out of their hiding places, there was food waiting for them and they could "graze" on it all throughout the day as they wanted to.

I'm glad you've made changes to Shelldon's living arrangements. I hope this turns him around for you. But put out some food in the morning and see if that doesn't make a difference.

 

[Masqurade]

I will do that! I had read somewhere to feed them every 2 days, is that wrong? Should it be every day?

 

[Dizisdalife]

I will do that! I had read somewhere to feed them every 2 days, is that wrong? Should it be every day?

Every day is best.

 

[Evy]

Hi, I'm not sure how old is your tortoise or what kind but if you can get your hand on Mazuri it would help him to eat. Please keep is updated. I hoop you saw that soaking is good twice a day with warm water( not to hot).
Please keep asking if you have questions. I got misinformed too but thank you to the forum my sully is doing better and she is a lot happier. With the changes that I had made to give her the best.

 

[Masqurade]

OH MY GOSH!!! Okay so last night the humidity got up to 80%. He didn't move at all just looked the same cuddling with his cuttle bone. This morning he was in the same place but I got up and made him some tortoise chow (I am going to get some mazuri soon!) mixed with some chopped romaine lettuce. He wasn't doing anything still but I sprayed his enclosure, even though it didn't get as warm as I would have liked, but I will fix that and turned on his day lights.

I left for work, luckily I live where I work -- on a farm, and I just checked on him, only 2 hours later and he is UP and moving! Both eyes open! I have not seen this much activity from him for weeks!!! He hadn't eaten yet that I could tell, but yay, Moving!!!

 

[Evy]

For what I have observe they stay still if they are cold.
Do you have a sulcata?

 

[Masqurade]

Yes, he is roughly 4 months old.

 

[Masqurade]

Okay, so since I have gotten Shelldon into a better enclosure I have been able to observe him better and have noticed a few things:

1. Any idea to help my humidity. I am fighting against 20% I'm my home. He ranges between 60-80% through the day. I have temperature worked out, just need to get his humidity up.

2. I hadn't noticed when I first got him, back in December, but his left eye isn't, well right. It looks like he is always looking down and backwards. Has anyone heard/seen this before? Was it because I kept him so dry, due to misinformation? Should I have a vet look at him?

 

[Masqurade]

Okay, so I am here at the vets currently and Shelldon has MBD as well as an upper respiratory infection and they said possible phneumonia (sp?). He is getting a shot of anti-biotics and I am getting and eye dropper to feed him with. If anyone has any ideas on the best way to feed them with an eye dropper it is most welcome!

---

Here he is at the vet.

 

[Dizisdalife]

I have never feed a tortoise with and an eye dropper, so not much help. Just curious about what you are to feed him in that eye dropped. Also, when an antibiotic is given for an URI there is usually several doses, like every day for a week. Sometimes it might be every other day for two weeks. It depends on what is being administered. Were you given a prescription for antibiotics? Again, just curious about the treatment.

 

[Masqurade]

The antibiotic is to be given every 72 hours.

The eye dropper is used to give (attempt to give) him liquid calcium and vegetable baby food (recommended by the vet)

And they want him back in two weeks for a follow up. The vet is hoping that the antibiotics will get him feeling better enough to eat that the eye dropper calcium and baby food won't be needed.

 

[Dizisdalife]

The antibiotic is to be given every 72 hours.

The eye dropper is used to give (attempt to give) him liquid calcium and vegetable baby food (recommended by the vet)

And they want him back in two weeks for a follow up. The vet is hoping that the antibiotics will get him feeling better enough to eat that the eye dropper calcium and baby food won't be needed.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. It makes sense now. I would be careful with the eye dropper and liquid calcium. Again, I have never feed a tortoise with an eye dropper. I was at a Vet office and the Technician showed me a baby sulcata that had blocked nares and closed eyes. The condition was caused by feeding liquid calcium. Or rather it was the result of liquid calcium that was spilled while attempting to feed the tortoise. I hope someone with experience can share a successful technique for feeding and not spilling.

 

[mike taylor]

Use a syringe with no needle . It will not spill out plus it will hold open its mouth while you shoot the food slowly in .

 

[sibi]

I hand feed one of my sullies, but I use my fingers to put a Mazuri mixture in her mouth. Of course, my girl opens her mouth like a baby bird being feed by its mommy. If your baby is not opening his mouth, then feeding through a syringe is the best method. Remember to feed slowly because it can go down the wrong tube and actually cause more damage. I would mix the liquid calcium in the food when feeding. I would be more concern about hydration and feeding than getting the liquid calcium down his throat.

How did the vet determine your baby has an Uri? Did the vet do any cultures of mucous? What antibiotics is he on? Do you give warn soaks daily? Your tort is still a baby; as such, he should have warm soaks daily. Food should be given often throughout the day. He may not eat it always, but you should offer it to him daily. And his enclosure ambient temp should be 80+. He needs warmth and high humidity to get over what's ailing him. I hope he recovers fast. Cute baby you have there.

 

[Masqurade]

She is assuming he has a URI from the fact that a month ago we lost power and it got into the 50's in his enclosure. If these guys get cold they get sick apparently. She is hoping that the antibiotics will make him feel good enough to eat and that the liquid calcium won't be needed.

His enclosure now is a constant 80, even at night, and his humidity ranges from 60%-80%, I just got a fogger, so hoping to fix that soon.