Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have had my baby for about two months now at 1st his shell was hard and he was real active. Now he shell is real soft im mean t the point were i can almost see inside of him. Also he wont move and all he does is sleep all day. He does not eat any thing and he never opens his eyes and when he does there is like white slime on it. i haven't seen him poop in about 3 days and when he did poop it was only when i was soaking him. I want to take him to the vet but all i have right now is 80$ and i don't work for another month on less the vet bill was less then 80 then i don't think i can take him. Please some one help all of this started happening after i took him out of the glass tank he was in and put him the big plastic tub which was about 3 weeks ago, because every one told me tanks were bad for tortoises. Now i don't know wat to do oh and the last time i saw he eat was about 3 days ago after i soaked him he opened his eyes and i had to hand feed him then he went back to sleep. today i tried it again but he did not eat he does move some times to get to the heat spot. also i just changed his substrate from organic soil/sand mix to paper damp paper towel to see how that will work out i also soak him every day i do not now what i am doing wrong please some one help me i don't want to lose him.

enclosure specs

3ftx2ftx7in tub
power sun 100wt heat/uvb bulb
damp paper towel for now
shallow water bowl
orchard grass hay on cool side
90-95 on basking spot
80% humidity on cool side
wat i have been feeding him but wont eat
orchard grass hay
lawn grass
Romain lettuce
kale
mustard greens
dandelion greens
red leaf lettuce
butter nut squash
turnip greens
dusted with reptical

The only thing I can suggest is that you call the nearest tortoise rescue society and see if they would at least be willing to look at him. He needs a vet and I doubt $80 will get him the treatment he needs, but you could ask if they will work out a payment plan. Also a rescue society might be able to suggest a vet willing to work with you.

If his shell is translucent, it may already be too late, I'm afraid. Some of these tortoises just don't make it, sadly enough. I've had some hatchlings in my day who fell under such conditions and despite visits to the vet did not recover. Though it is very sad to see the little guys go, sometimes this is just a fact of life. But do take the guy to a humane society or herp society meeting. They may be able to advise you further. You seem to be doing things correctly. Generally, I don't recommend beginners buy hatchlings. They are too fragile. I generally recommend buying something that is at least four inches in length. These tortoises are much hardier and guaranteed to survive.

T.G.

Are you doing any better? Did you get help for your baby?