What is this?!

[TebowHammer]

I can't thank you guys enough for your support and input...it really means a lot!

Off to bed now...I gotta wake up early and call the vets.

Rest assured that I'll keep you updated on Tebow's status.

And don't worry...he's gonna be alright!!

 

[Angi]

This is awful. Poor little guy and poor you to have to go through this too. I hope Tortoise shack pays ALL his bills!

 

[Jacqui]

Rest assured that I'll keep you updated on Tebow's status.

And don't worry...he's gonna be alright!!

You'd better keep us updated, we are family after all.

I love your attitude and I think that can carry a lot of weight on how things go, but geesh he is so little little and has very little to fall back on. I really hope it does work out.

 

[TebowHammer]

Okay guys...

Luckily, I found a vet who specializes in reptiles that's only two minute from my house!

Me and Mikka are about to leave and get Tebow looked at.

Wish us luck and be thinking about us. (and if you're the religious type...prayers would be GREAT too!!)

- Tyler

 

[shellysmom]

Awww, I hope your poor little guy will be okay... Shame on them for selling you a sick animal.

Although, I'm actually surprised that more people don't have health issues with their mail-order chelonians, considering the company must have enough animals "in stock" to be able to provide anyone in the US with a tortoise or turtle species of their choice at the click of a "buy now" button. How much individual attention can they pay to each animal to make sure it's healthy and thriving? Some of them are bound to be sickly, and if they didn't try to sell the sick ones, what would they do with them? Take them to the vet? No, that's not cost effective for a business like that. Throw them away? Maybe. Hatchlings are so fragile, I'll never understand how they can be treated like little money-makers, stuck in the mail, and then be expected to arrive in good shape.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Awww, I hope your poor little guy will be okay... Shame on them for selling you a sick animal.

Although, I'm actually surprised that more people don't have health issues with their mail-order chelonians, considering the company must have enough animals "in stock" to be able to provide anyone in the US with a tortoise or turtle species of their choice at the click of a "buy now" button. How much individual attention can they pay to each animal to make sure it's healthy and thriving? Some of them are bound to be sickly, and if they didn't try to sell the sick ones, what would they do with them? Take them to the vet? No, that's not cost effective for a business like that. Throw them away? Maybe. Hatchlings are so fragile, I'll never understand how they can be treated like little money-makers, stuck in the mail, and then be expected to arrive in good shape.

I have seen sulcatas go for $25 in large lots. You are right, most that are financially driven will not invest in any further cost of the hatchlings, it is not cost effective.

I hope we get good news soon from the vet visit.

 

[Robert]

Any update on Tebow?

 

[shellysmom]

Still no word on Tebow? I can't stand the suspense!!

 

[Jacqui]

Looks like we are all checking back in to see how the little guy is doing.

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

How is the little guy?

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Concerning that he has not posted yet and the vet visit was yesturday!

 

[Az tortoise compound]

I sure hope that little one got to see the vet.

 

[herpgirl24]

Poor little tort. Hope he is ok. It is so sad that they are treated as little money makers and not raised correctly after hatching! I purchased mine on impulse because the price was so cheap, $40! And I have spent tons of time nursing him and caring for him. Unfortunately only time will tell of long term damage! I really hope this little one pulls through

 

[Jacqui]

Concerning that he has not posted yet and the vet visit was yesturday!

Me too. Most often it means things have not worked out well at all.....

 

[CtTortoiseMom]

Could he be mourning little Tebow? Healthy energy sent Tebow's way.....

 

[Torty Mom]

I was hoping to see an update......... I hope Tebow is ok!

 

[Robert]

I sent a PM yesterday. Never heard any reply.

 

[TebowHammer]

Hey guys!!

Sorry for the delay on the update. I haven't even been on the forum in a couple of days. Why?

Cause I've been too concerned with taking care of my boy (and I've been working like crazy!)

I really do apologize for keeping ya'll in suspense. It honestly wasn't my intention.

Tebow went to the vet on Thursday. First - to a local vet who knew absolutely NOTHING about tortoises and then I took him about an hour and a half away to Tallahassee.

That's where I got some real help. They seem to think the cause of his illness was poor husbandry from the "good ole folks" at TurtleShack and injected him with Vitamin B and D and Calcium (she was wanting to give him Vit A too but at his size, she couldn't get the dosage right). Also, I was given some Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores to mix with water and feed him with a syringe. And told to put iodine (watered-down) on the growths on his jaw for the time being.

So that's what we've been doing for the past couple of days...

And guess what, it looks like he's getting a little better! He's definitely not out of the woods yet, and he's still not eating on his own, but he's becoming a little more active and Mikka and I take that as a good sign.

Once again, I REALLY appreciate all of the concerns, thoughts, and prayers that have been sent our way over the past few days. It means the world to us, and we ask that you keep on. We can always use more.

And I promise I will keep you posted regularly on Tebow's progress.

He's a fighter, and I know he's gonna make it through this!

Thanks again!

Tyler

P.S. Tebow also had two broken toes on both front feet whenever we got him (don't think I mentioned that to ya'll yet). I am truly appalled by the actions of TurtleShack.com. What would be the best method for reporting them?

(One of the toes fell off today...I feel so terrible for him! He's been through hell and back, but me and Mikka are NOT going to give up on him! Already, we look at the situation as a blessing that he came to us. That way we know he's going to be taken care of.)

 

[onarock]

I am really pullin for this little guy. Sounds like he's had a rough start to his life. Hopefully, with your help he will pull through

Two broken toes!!.... I can't believe it. Donky's!!

 

[Wirewehear]

Hey guys!!
And guess what, it looks like he's getting a little better! He's
P.S. Tebow also had two broken toes on both front feet whenever we got him (don't think I mentioned that to ya'll yet). I am truly appalled by the actions of TurtleShack.com. What would be the best method for reporting them?

Geez ... the poor guy. I really hope he pulls thru and has a long and loved lifed with you.
Not sure about reporting them. Animal Control I guess but I dont have a lot of confidence in AC these days. You could (and this is what I would do) pull up the Better Business Bureau and give them a poor review or even file a complaint if you think its an ongoing issue of poor animal husbandry there.