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My greek tortoise is not eating or really moving anymore, he just sleeps. I took him to our vet and he said it was a respirtory infection and put tortoise on antibiotics where I had to give him a shot every other day, plus he gave him something to hydrate him. I have had tortoises for about 20 years and I really did not think this tortoise had a respirtory infection, I saw no signs, but I listened and did the antibiotics, that was a week ago and he is still the same. Tortoise seems to be tender in front legs and they feel sticky. Usually he would have a bowel movement in his bath that i soak him in, but I have not seen him do this for a long while...I am concerned and cannot find an emergency room tonight to take him too. Can you help me
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Greek Tortoise Pet's Gender: Male Pet's Age: approximately 15 Already Tried: Took him to vet
Hello!Thanks for using JustAnswer.com, I'm Dr. Dan and I'll try to help you.How long total has your tortoise not been eating and acting lethargic? What is his current basking site temperature? Dr. Dan
About a month now. Basking site about 88 degrees
Thanks for the information. Really at this point the only thing you can do is to increase his overall temperature about 5F degrees and give him an extra long soak tonight to maintain his hydration. Many tortoises have gone much longer than this without eating. I understand you are becoming concerned but we need a diagnosis and probably a feeding tube at this point. Tortoises don't open their mouth if they don't want to so that is why a feeding tube is needed if we are to do any force feeding. An xray will prove if there is any sign of pneumonia or respiratory infection. A CBC and an organ chemistry are needed to figure out just why the lethargy and eating has stopped and then what to do about it. Right now keep up the temperature and hydration and then push your vet for more testing to try to get a handle on this as quickly as possible. Dr. Dan
Experience: 8 years with dogs, cats, exotic, wildlife and zoo animals