Please Help..any vet experience needed..Urgent

[Star]

I really need some help with this tortoise. He arrived today and I need to know what help he needs and what I can do to help him.

He is a 2002 Hermann, he is absolutely tiny and from what I could gather, he was feed fruit and lived in doors, I would assume without any UV lights.

He doesn't walk properly, drags himself more than able to lift himself. He has eaten a few bits, which is good, seeing as he is eating weeds. He is moving around, and it looks like he has adapted to manage in this way (dragging himself).

He is also deformed, (squished looking), its the only way I know how to explain it, he is tiny for a 2002 tortoise, I will edit and add in his size later as I haven't taken them yet.

I just want some advice as to how I can help him, he has shell root from what I can make out, and damage where a dog attacked him about two years ago.

I was told he was in relatively good condition bar the damage to the side of his shell, but you can clearly see this isnt the case.

Please, please help me to identify any health issues and problems that may occur from his conditions and any further advice would be very much appreciated.

Thank you






Sorry for the bad pics, its late and the light quality is poor, I will update them tomorrow with the measurements and some side shots so that you can see what I mean about the squished look.

[Laraine]

A visit to the vets will establish any internal or other problems. If the shell is a bit squishy, the vet may recommend Zolcal-D, a liquid calcium to help with upping the calcium levels.

Where did he come from? Is he a rehomer? and if so, will they help with vet bills?

[Tortlover]

I cant offer any help but just wanted to say good on you taking him on and I have my fingers crossed that he does ok xx

[Star]

Hi Laraine,
He is a re-homer and I doubt they will help. I am booking him in tomorrow so fingers crossed he is seen soon.

His underneath shell is very flexi, I mean its bendable. Its scary because I feel defenseless to help, I am in shock I guess.

[Star]

Thank you Tortlover...I feel so lost, he looks so stressed and unhappy. I just sat with him since he came and cant believe what I am seeing. I dont think the pics are very good, but tomorrow when we have some better light I will update them.

I hope I can help him, he must be a little fighter to have made it this far

[Lolly8]

Can't help you but I really hope he's ok.Fingers grossed.

[Beverley]

Poor tort, he has been badly cared for to say the least.
He does look in bad shape, it will take time and patience to help this little one but its amazing what a change in husbandary can do.
I am sure the vet will give you good advice, but a good quality UVB light and calcium supplement with the correct diet and of course hydration,.Lots of baths.
He looks very underweight, but you never know with lots of TLC he may turn a corner, but it will take time, remember hydration is more important than feeding if they are really unwell.
Good luck tomorrow at the vets, let us know how it goes, it may be a long road but he deserves a chance after all he has been through.

[dolittle]

poor thing, at least he is with someone who cares, good luck with him x

[Star]

Thank you everyone for the advice and good wishes.

I bathed him as soon as he arrived. He seemed to enjoy it, even though his previous owners did not bath him.

Can anyone tell me if they think he is in pain? I know its a hard question to answer, but would such a deformity with his shell cause him pain, I cant deal with the though of him in pain

[anna m]

I'm sure you are giving him extra calcium with limestone flour and cuttlefish
As Loraine said the vet will give him extra Vitamin D tablets so that his shell will firm up