Vet prices

[Macy Fidler]

Does anyone know the price range to take my baby sulcata to a vet? I'm deeply worried about him, and I'm afraid he has hatchling failure syndrome. But the problem is, I am young and don't have the money to do much. So I'm wondering how much it would be, because I want to try and get him to a vet. He hardly stays awake during the day, and now it is hard to get him to eat at all. His shell is very squishy also. Please let me know! Thanks

 

[mike taylor]

Do you have his enclosure setup right? Whats your temperature and humidity set at . Cool side should be at 80 hot side 90 basking spot at 100 night temperature no lower than 80 . Humidity 80/90 % . You also need uvb so they can metabolize calcium . How old is your sulcata? Post pictures of the enclosure so we can see the setup . A office visit is around 30 bucks . The other cost depends on the problem .

 

[tortdad]

Let's have a look at it and your setup

 

[Jabuticaba]

Hi. I'm sorry to hear about your tortoise. It does sound like he needs a vet, if he has a squishy shell. The cost highly depends on where you live. You also need to look specifically for a vet who specialised in reptiles. Maybe you can call a few vets in you area and ask about cost and reptile vets.

As Mike suggested, please post pictures of your enclosure, so the experts can advise you better.

 

[Yvonne G]

My suggestion is for you to clear your mind of everything you've heard and learned about caring for baby tortoises and re-read the care sheet stickied at the top of the Sulcata section. Chances are pretty good there is something wrong with the way you are caring for the baby. After you've read the care sheet make the necessary adjustments to his lighting, habitat and feeding. In the meantime, make sure he's warm enough - at least 80F degrees.

If you've been keeping the baby sulcata with your Russian, that's probably what's wrong with him. Russian tortoises are imported in very disagreeable conditions and come into this country with parasites and organisms that cause sickness and death in other tortoises.

 

[stojanovski92113]

I just wanted to say, that IF your tortoise does have failure hatchling syndrome, there really is not much a vet can do for your tortoise. I'm sorry to say. However, there are very experienced individuals that can help you identify your tortoises issue by a picture of your set up and how you house your baby. I'm hoping that we can help you before it's too late! I'm sorry to hear about your baby When I call the vet for an appt., it's $50 on top of whatever else the vet checks for if I'm ok with it.

 

[Tom]

Was your baby started dry? Do you know its history?

Stojanovski is right. If you do have a dry started baby, no amount of vet care or money will save it. Many people have spent over $1000 dollars and the baby still dies. Its fate was sealed in the days and weeks right after hatching. All you can do is offer the best conditions possible and keep it warm and hydrated. Some pull through and some don't.

 

[Macy Fidler]

Here is his cage. And before I get attacked with, "where is the lid?" I haven't been able to find any lids to fit it in my area, but I'm planning on making one with wood very soon.

 

[Macy Fidler]

Do you have his enclosure setup right? Whats your temperature and humidity set at . Cool side should be at 80 hot side 90 basking spot at 100 night temperature no lower than 80 . Humidity 80/90 % . You also need uvb so they can metabolize calcium . How old is your sulcata? Post pictures of the enclosure so we can see the setup . A office visit is around 30 bucks . The other cost depends on the problem .

Okay.... His basking spot stays around 80-85 and the other side is 80.

 

[Macy Fidler]

My suggestion is for you to clear your mind of everything you've heard and learned about caring for baby tortoises and re-read the care sheet stickied at the top of the Sulcata section. Chances are pretty good there is something wrong with the way you are caring for the baby. After you've read the care sheet make the necessary adjustments to his lighting, habitat and feeding. In the meantime, make sure he's warm enough - at least 80F degrees.

If you've been keeping the baby sulcata with your Russian, that's probably what's wrong with him. Russian tortoises are imported in very disagreeable conditions and come into this country with parasites and organisms that cause sickness and death in other tortoises.

Thank you!! I will. And I keep them separately, I read before I got the sulcata that they shouldn't be kept together. But I will be sure to do that, thanks!!

 

[Macy Fidler]

I just wanted to say, that IF your tortoise does have failure hatchling syndrome, there really is not much a vet can do for your tortoise. I'm sorry to say. However, there are very experienced individuals that can help you identify your tortoises issue by a picture of your set up and how you house your baby. I'm hoping that we can help you before it's too late! I'm sorry to hear about your baby When I call the vet for an appt., it's $50 on top of whatever else the vet checks for if I'm ok with it.

Thank you so much!! And I'm sad to hear it too, but he does have a couple symptoms of it. I hope that's not what it is...

 

[Macy Fidler]

Was your baby started dry? Do you know its history?

Stojanovski is right. If you do have a dry started baby, no amount of vet care or money will save it. Many people have spent over $1000 dollars and the baby still dies. Its fate was sealed in the days and weeks right after hatching. All you can do is offer the best conditions possible and keep it warm and hydrated. Some pull through and some don't.

He had little to no water at the pet store he was in, atleast when I would visit him the water bowl was always dry. And thank you.... I will try!!

 

[Macy Fidler]

h and here's my wittle baby... Just waking up. (Or trying)

 

[stojanovski92113]

Macy...I believe I lost my baby sulcata last year to failure hatchling syndrome. I spent a TON of money on a tortoise that wasn't growing on top of other issues he had, kidney failure. I got bloodwork done on my tiny tiny tortoise. I didn't know about this syndrome. However, I really hope your little one pulls through. Make sure you soak your baby everyday in warm water. Maybe add some baby food, just a bit to your tortoises water so he can get some nutrients when drinking. Soak him for maybe 30 min. I'm going to leave the experts to say anything about your housing. I believe Your intentions are good, just your baby needs way more humidity to thrive. It looks dry. It will make a huge difference.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

do you soak him daily?

 

[stojanovski92113]

Macy...I believe I lost my baby sulcata last year to failure hatchling syndrome. I spent a TON of money on a tortoise that wasn't growing on top of other issues he had, kidney failure. I got bloodwork done on my tiny tiny tortoise. I didn't know about this syndrome. However, I really hope your little one pulls through. Make sure you soak your baby everyday in warm water. Maybe add some baby food, just a bit to your tortoises water so he can get some nutrients when drinking. Soak him for maybe 30 min. I'm going to leave the experts to say anything about your housing. I believe Your intentions are good, just your baby needs way more humidity to thrive. It looks dry. It will make a huge difference.

Carrot baby food

 

[Macy Fidler]

Macy...I believe I lost my baby sulcata last year to failure hatchling syndrome. I spent a TON of money on a tortoise that wasn't growing on top of other issues he had, kidney failure. I got bloodwork done on my tiny tiny tortoise. I didn't know about this syndrome. However, I really hope your little one pulls through. Make sure you soak your baby everyday in warm water. Maybe add some baby food, just a bit to your tortoises water so he can get some nutrients when drinking. Soak him for maybe 30 min. I'm going to leave the experts to say anything about your housing. I believe Your intentions are good, just your baby needs way more humidity to thrive. It looks dry. It will make a huge difference.

I'm so sorry to hear that.... It's honestly a big problem, because of all the money I've already invested and everything. And ok, I will, and thank you so much!

 

[Macy Fidler]

do you soak him daily?

I soak twice a day for 20 min. He won't wake up on his own very well otherwise.

 

[Macy Fidler]

And all the vets are closed today, and probably tomorrow since it's Martin Luther King Jr. Day .... What should I do in the meantime to try to keep him awake and stuff?

 

[stojanovski92113]

I'm not sure there is much you can do except check on him frequently to make sure he's ok. Try the baby carrot soaks. Keep us updated and I'm rooting for your little one!!