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Old 06-01-2015, 05:38 PM   #1
benny89
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Default New tortoise owner with extremely sick baby

Hi everyone, I have recently become the owner of a baby horsefield tortoise, unsure of age, but was a hatchling from 2014 and comes in at 27g in weight. I have had (Jimmy) for around 2 weeks, and as of Sunday he seemed to take a turn for the worse. He was doing fine, eating, drinking, pooping ect, a real lively little chap. His eyes were extremely swollen/couldn't open them very well, upon arriving home from work in the evening, and he seemed to have mucus/fluid around his mouth. Panic set in and he was whisked straight to the vets on Monday (a local vet who also specialises in reptiles). The vet commented on his tongue colour as being grey and how the discharge was unusual for a young baby, but due to his size there was little to do without harming. He gave Jimmy (who turned out to be a girl after an examination) a Vit A injection, and an injection of Baytril. I have also been booked in to return on Friday for another injection of Baytril. I have given the little one 2 warm baths today and yesterday as instructed, but there is still little improvement, although he did manage to eat a small amount today. I just wondered if there was anything else that anybody could advise on doing in the mean time, or any more insight as to what could be wrong with him? He has been a little more active today, which I guess is a good thing. I am just very worried and upset at the moment, and the thought of losing him already is horrible. Thanks, happy to answer any questions, anyone cares to ask which could help him
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Old 07-01-2015, 01:21 AM   #2
egyptiandan64
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You need to keep her warm (30C) 24/7 while giving the antibiotics. Also at the longest Baytril should be given every other day to have it be effective.

Danny
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Old 07-01-2015, 02:01 AM   #3
Ozric Jonathan
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Hi Benny, I do feel for you. A sick tortoise can be very hard for the keeper and the smaller ones can tend to make us feel the most helpless.

Baytrill is a standard medication that will often be tried on sick tortoises and it does work at least sometimes.

If you have only had this wee chap for a short time it might make sense to contact the person or shop that supplied him as he was likely not in great shape when sold.

There is always hope but my own struggles with sickly tortoises have not made me an optimist on the subject. There could be dozens of possible things wrong here and there is a good chance that you will never know what it is, even if the little survives.

Apart from treating with Baytrill and not poking the tortoise about a lot, I can't agree with anything your vet has said or done.

Keep us posted on developments and do whatever is necessary to get that heat in place 24/7 to give the Baytrill at least a chance.
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Old 07-01-2015, 08:27 AM   #4
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I agree with Jonathan, I don't have confidence in little ones recovering from being sick when so young, in my own experience its very difficult if not near on impossible to treat such small hatchlings successfully. But I do wish the little one well and keep us posted x
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Old 07-01-2015, 08:56 AM   #5
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the first thing I would do is get in touch with where ever you bought the tort from, odds are that it had what ever it has from before you got it and any other torts it was in with may also be affected. Plus if it was a good breeder then they should also be able to help you, if a shop then you might get some help with your vet bills.
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Old 07-01-2015, 11:43 AM   #6
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Thanks for the responses, I have contacted the place where I got the tortoise from, and they were very unhelpful about the matter, and just proceeded to tell me all their other tortoise were fine, and that if Jimmy dies, they will replace her. Which is not what I want, I want this one to survive. Will keep ya'll posted
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Old 07-01-2015, 05:57 PM   #7
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Oh how sad Nothing to add to the previous comments, warmth is crucial. Good luck with your little shelled friend
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Old 08-01-2015, 08:42 AM   #8
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did you get a receipt for the tort proving when you bought it? and maybe your vet would write a letter saying the problems the tort has and if he's nice that those problems would have been present or incubating where the tort came from. Was it a shop? if so I'm sure there are laws against selling sick animals maybe the local council would be interested, I'd not let it drop as other new owners may have the same problems. We had a hamster who broke a leg while in the care of a shop and the injury was ignored, when we took her to our vet on our return he was as angry as we were and wrote a letter to the shop who paid our vet bill and we had a letter of apology and I think they were more carefull with their holiday residents after that, the hamster had been dropped from a height so its worth persisting even if its for other owners.
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Old 08-01-2015, 09:55 AM   #9
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Hi, yes we have a reciept for her, and the vet has already said that he would write a letter saying this. Jimmy was from a shop, but I have used for many years, and I THOUGHT they were a respectable business, but have since told me that they have a week guarantee. They have agreed though that if anything is to happen to Jimmy, they will help me out, but I have made it clear I would never use them again! And blame them for the problems he now has. He is my first tortoise, but I have done extensive research, and no that I have not done anything wrong. I do believe a council call will be in order.

On the plus I have seen very minor improvements, he has eaten a TINY amount, even if it was just a couple of leaves, and he can manage to open both eyes, but very rarely. Still have everything crossed for him. Thanks again cares for the comments and concern.
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Old 08-01-2015, 11:11 AM   #10
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typical pet shop attitude unfortunately.

once they leave the shop they don't see it as their problem,

we recently bought a Blue Fronted Amazon parrot it stated that if it died within 48 hour of purchase they would replace/refund money but if it became sick and needed to see a vet they wouldn't cover that cost??
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