Julian917
New Member
Our tortoise was found flipped over around an hour or 2 ago and hes been very stiff blinks every so often, as well as moving his head. Any tips please?
URGENT HELP!! Tortoise in critical condition and no vets avaible
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@Yvonne G @wellington . What species of tortoise do you have? soak it in warm shallow water to rehydrate it.
Soak for at least an hour and then daily for about a week.
You need to also fix what made him flip.
You need to also fix what made him flip.
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Was it found in the sun? If so, it very possibly became overheated. Put it in very shallow water for an hour or two and keep watching to make sure its head doesn't droop into the water causing it to drown.
Not sure of any other cures for overheating other than waiting it out and hoping for the best.
Good luck!
Yes possible over heating, but just being flipped like that they can empty their bladders and dehydrate quickly just being in higher temps.
Soaking is all I know to do with what could be overheated and/or dehydrated.
You can also feed some romaine or head lettuce to help hydrate
Soaking is all I know to do with what could be overheated and/or dehydrated.
You can also feed some romaine or head lettuce to help hydrate
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Do you have an update on your tortoise?
Julian917
New Member
Yes unfortunately he’s been very slow and hasn’t moved. Yesterday he would wake up and blink and seemed to be more alert. We also gave him IV FLUID and today we took him to the vet and they said that there is a high chance he isn’t going to make it. We have him inside for now and have been soaking him but i dont know what to do.
Julian917
New Member
He hasn’t tried eating or drinking water. We have gave him IV fluid 2 times already. He is very slow and weak. We tried soaking him in water. Would it best to keep him inside or outside the house as he rest.
Julian917
New Member
How many times should i soak him in a day.
Once a day should suffice. Was he outside when flipped over? Also, how long do you think he was flipped over for?
Julian917
New Member
We don’t know how long he was flipped over for and yes he was outside. He doesn’t want to eat or drink. We are thinking of taking him a animal hospital so that he is tube feeded.
The one importance at this point is to keep him hydrated. If he does not want to eat, he can go sometime (weeks) without eating. BUT, hydration is key. Soaking him every day will allow him to absorb water through his cloaca (his bumm). Ensure you do this every day. He will also need to be kept warm, it is summer time and most of us have coolers going. So be sure to keep him warm. If he will live, then you should see him improve. Nothing happens fast with a tortoise. So be patient. May I ask what kind of tort do you have?
Julian917
New Member
Thanks, he is a desert tortoise and is around 5 years old. We have him in the house right now
I recommend because he was flipped over outside and we have been in a heat wave, to keep him at around 75-80 degrees. You do NOT want to raise his temperature much more than this because he was likely over heated when flipped over for an unknown time frame. This temperature consistently will help ensure his body temp does not fluctuate up and down. Do not put any fans or coolers around him. No moving air where he is in the house. This includes ceiling fans, swamp coolers and/or central a/c ducts. We like to think that the fact he is still alive is a good thing. Ensure you soak him daily for hydration. Be patient, cross your fingers and wait. Please keep us all posted, we will surely be thinking of him.
How is he doing?
Great advice
Did or does he have bubbles or foam out of his mouth?
