Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings,

I am not new to owning a tort in fact I have a few years experience. However, just not with hatchlings. I bought a Leopard Tort online. I may need some advice. Upon receiving him he seems to regulate his temperature but he would sleep alll day and never eat. He was rubbing his eyes so I thought he might have an eye infection or irritation. The next day the same thing except he wouldnt open one eye and he didnt like to open the other. So of course I figured he has an eye infection. I use neosporin on his eyes and today he did open both after having a few applications of neosporin. however he still sleeps most the day and will not eat. I just would like any advice on what if anything might be wrong. If you would like some more information on the little guy or would like to just contact me directly feel free to e-mail me at Xypher9@gmail.com

Living in Massachusetts, I've had my snow leopard- Leonardo, for over 2 years and I was advised that Leos like higher temperatures- 90s - 100s. Ever since, I've been keeping on Leonardos emitter 24 / 7, making sure he has that hotter section in his enclosure, especially since it's winter! He's been eating better and healthier. I also spoil him with a 10 minute WARM soak everyday - MAKING SURE HE DOSENT GET A CHILL, placing under the emitter promtly afterwards. Hatchlings are delicate, so dont take for granted hydration and providing higher temps.
Good luck!

Thanks for the advice although it deffinately is not a temp problem. His habitat is well suited and he gets two 15 minute soaks a day. Ohh well I hope he gets better.

Hi-
Just new to the board, but when I saw your problem with the hatchling leopard tort I had to reply. I had the same problem. Stopped eating, hardly moved around. I had 2 lost one and then the other one started going downhill. My advice to you is take him to the Vets ASAP! I took mine, found out he had parasites, and sent me home with panacur. Couldn't get the panacur in him, of course it was the weekend. By Monday he had lost a considerable amount of weight. Went back to the vet's and told them I wanted a feeding tube inserted. They did the procedure and I had to tube him for over a month. Don't assume just because they are cb they are without parasites. Also, what type of heat are you using? Neosporin in eyes not a good idea. What are you trying to feed? Dandelion chopped finely in food processor is a good start. If I can help, just email. Good luck

shipping can be very traumatic especially it seems to leopards and stars. what is his light cycle? try for around 14 hours of daylight per day. what is the substrate? soak only once a day preferrably afternoon or evening, when he is already warmed up and likely thristy from the heat of the day, offer food after soaking if he is not eating, try some color, strawberry if you can get them, maybe some yellow like squash, red like raddichio. leave food scattered around the cage, so as he walks he encounters food, much like the wild where the animal would move from plant to plant. if you live somewhere with a dryer soil change the bedding to dirt collected from your yard or anywhere where it is pesticide free. the tortoises will eat dirt to obtain positive gut flora much like humans eat yogurt. it is possible that the animal was already wormed and that all the gut flora has been eliminated. be careful with worming if it is not getting done by an experienced tortoise vet, panacur kills some things, but leaves many nasty things behind, do not worm prophylatically, it does more harm than good. finally other than the one soak a day leave the little guy alone a human poking and prodding is likely adding to his stress level.