Help my horsefield tortoise is really sick

[DavidT]

Hi I have a 4 year old horsefield tortoise , in the last month his health has gradually got worse , it started with his eyes being swollen and he couldn’t see so stopped eating , got him eye drops and that seemed to work at first , then he has become more and more lethargic, hardly eats and now he hasn’t eaten for 5 days , and he can barely lift his head up and has no strength in his legs , we are really worried , tomorrow we are contacting the vets that specialise in reptiles. We tried all the tips in bathing him in warm water , eye drops etc now he just looks like his done , he seemed to make an improvement last week but now he seems like his dying unfortunately. We are gutted his not got better and any tips or help would be appreciated if we can’t get an appointment tomorrow I want to try anything to nurse him back to health .

[Nina]

Hi David,

I'm so sorry to hear about your little Horsfield tortoise. I can't of course diagnose what is wrong with him without seeing him, but can you tell me how you are keeping him (is he in a tortoise table, outside (or a bit of both), or a vivarium (a glass and wood enclosed box). What sort of lighting and heating are you using, and what is the temperature under his light at the hot end of his enclosure and also at the cooler end (please take the temperature directly under the lamp (a thermometer mounted on a nearby wall will not give an accurate reading). Temperature is really important in maintaining the health of a tortoise.

It is really good that you are seeing a reptile vet, and I would make that a matter of urgency. In the meantime it is very important that he is well hydrated (tortoises can go a long time without eating, but they dehydrate easily under lights indoors). Bathe him in nice warm water that comes just up to his chin (or where is top shell meets his bottom shell), in a container that he can't see out of, for about 15 - 20 minutes. Bathing like this should be done two or three times a week anyway, but when he is ill it's especially important to do this.

When you go to the vet, it's useful to bring a sample of poo with you (so it can be tested for parasites), and you can keep a sample fresh in a sealed container in the fridge overnight if necessary.

I really hope that the vet can find out what is wrong with him and prescribe something to make him better quickly. Please let us know how you get on, and fingers crossed he will be back to normal soon. If you don't already have one, here is a good care sheet for Horsfield tortoises: https://www.tortoise-protection-group.o ... 014New.pdf

Nina

[DavidT]

Thanks for your reply Nina I’ve messaged you privately.

[DavidT]

I don’t think my private message went through to you for some reason , didn’t want to post on here as it’s sad but I will let you know unfortunately our little horsefield Bobby passed away this morning as my partner was getting ready to get him to a vet , absolutely gutted so out my children .the only reason we delayed taking him the vet is because he started improving last week but yesterday he deteriorated quickly . I feel so guilty that I just didn’t get him checked over and wondering did we do something wrong as he was healthy for 4 years thst he lived . We all got very attached to him so it hurts x

[Nina]

Hi David,

No I never got your message, but I'm so sorry to hear that Bobby passed away today, and I know how absolutely devastating this is for a family! Please do email me at nina@thetortoisetable.org.uk and maybe we can discover why he got ill. Also, if you ever want to take on another tortoise, we usually have a list of tortoises that need new homes, and our rehoming service is absolutely free.

Many condolences on your loss, and I hope that your children are OK -- it's terrible for them when a pet dies. If we can do anything at all to help or explain please email me.

Nina

[DavidT]

They are heartbroken at the moment we all are , can’t believe he went that quickly just as we was taking him to get looked at today it’s sad.
Thank you for your message Nina I will email you