Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HI everyone. You may know from a post of mine aways down my hatchling Sulcata has soft shell. I made a vet appt. but the only opening they had was 2 weeks from the day i called. so i pulled some strings and had the appt. moved up to thursday at 5:50. now that day is going to be 18 degrees at the highest, and i have to take a short busride to get there. im sooo scared for the tort!what do i do??? i have a TON of heat packs, but is there anything different i can do to makesure hes warm for the time(total should be about 10 mins all together)???????? i need help!

I would start with a styrofoam box of sufficient depth to place warm heat pack in the bottom with several layers of cloth above the heat pack and still room for the tort. I'd be sure the interior of this box was warm (pre-heated) to a comfortable level. You might want to consider placing the tort inside a sock or similar restraint for the trip. Secure the styrofoam lid of the box with tape so that it won't pop off accidently, no peeking during the bus ride.
The styrofoam box will provide sufficient insulation for your brief trip to avoid temperature fluctuations. Often these styrofoam boxes come with an outer cardboard covering---if you have the cardboard box, use it too---other bus passengers might be curious about the contents of a styrofoam box, but less so (I hope) about a simple cardboard box. Reverse the process of pre-warming the box BEFORE you leave the vet's.

thank you so much. i was thinking maybe a cooler? i do have a thermal insulated cloth-type cooler,(like a pizza bag) i was thinking of using a small styrofoam box,putting it inside of the cooler bag with lods of heat packs and what nots.then asking to use a microwave or something at the vets office befor ei leave. i will be getting a ride home,but i know it will still be chilly. thank you so much for your help,i didnt think about a styrofoam box.

Anything, a "cooler" for instance, that will provide a buffer of warmth should do it. Depending on the heat output of the heat packs, I doubt you should need lots of them. Do an experiment. Set up your cooler/styrofoam box as you plan to use it. With one heated pack inside AND a thermometer, place the whole thing outside for 20 or 30 minutes to see what temperature maintains; if it's too cool, add another heat pack. I'm thinking *one* pack may be sufficient.
You don't want to have a "package" too heavy to carry!!!!
Good luck with the vet's visit!!!!!!

Thank you very much!ill let you all know how it goes! I would to the "experiment" thing but its almost 50* here today and will be shotting down the the 20s tomorrow. maybe i should put it in the freezer for crying outloud. ill jutst do the experiment tomorrow during the day. i found a way to get a ride there, but ill still use maybe one or two heatpacks, ill experiment! thanks again!