URGENT.. tortoise found in water

hey guys, just gone to check on shelly and found him submerged in a pot of water, not sure how long hes been there, could have been 5 mins, but could have been up to an hour or so.

when we first got him out he was lifeless.... eyes closed and his body limp, i put him in a towel to warm him up while mum phoned emergency vet, he opened his eye slowly andwas breathing, but bubbles of water were coming from his mouth and nose.

the vet we are registered with wernt very helpful, just said to keep an eye on him as there was nothing they could do, so not happy with their response we phoned another vet who said even though we are not registered with them, they would rather see him, and give him anitbiotics.

in the mean time a man who lives near me and breeds tortoises told us that he should be ok as they can hold their breath for up to 12 hours and to keep an eye on him over night and see how he is in the morning.

im still really concerned though, he has perked up a bit now though his breathing is ok, and hes warming up under his heat lamp he isnt eating, but has moved around a little bit. he is not currently hibernating as he is a bells hingeback and therefore dont hibernate.

id be grateful of any advice! thank you

[midi-mania]

make sure that everytime you see water coming out his nose dry it with a towel to get rid of the bubbles or he will just keep breathing them back in and make sure you keep him warm, if he moving about ?
how did he get submerged?

we put him in the garden for some fresh air, and hes found a plant pot and climbed in it, and it had filled wiith water from the rain, and he fell into it by the looks of it, we have no idea how he actually got into the plant pot though he must have climbed, but how we have no idea!

he seems ok now, im just worried about infection, but i think we are going to see how he goes until the morning. the bubbles have stopped and hes breathing normal now aswell.

just needed some advice on where to go next... thanx for your reply

[egyptiandan64]

Hi Laura,
I would be proactive and get him to a vet to get antibiotics. Getting water in the lungs is always bad news and usually does set up some type of infection. Keep him warm incase he is in shock.

Danny

hey danny, thanx for your advice, gonna take him up the vet now... he seems ok now, but wouldnt be able to live with myself if something was to happen to him!!

thanx again

[midi-mania]

im suprised he is still alive if he was submerged and not breathing! good luck at the vets

[tortoiseboy]

im sure hel be fine. i wouldent of thought it would go downhill after starting to breath again

[linda]

hi laura

i agree with danny

i have no experience with torts and patial drwoning

but i do have with young children and in all cases antibiotics were given as a precaution

hey guys...

took shelly to the vet and they are going to give him antibiotics as a precaution, as he is pretty lively now, got to pick him up at 10 tonight, bless him!!

midi-mania apparently they can stay under water without breathing for up to 12 hours, when this happens their bodies shut down as if they were hibernating and thats how they manage to survive, its just the infections that may follow after that is of more concern.

i was talking to the vet and she was saying it takes a lot for a tortoise to actually die.... even if their head was cut off their brain can still work and function for a while after, unless its actually punctured then it still lives.l... gross hey!

ill keep you all updated on shells anyways xx

Big hugs coming your way XXXXXXXXXX
sharon thinking of you both xxxx