Hi can somebody please give me some advise. I purchased a female horsfield on 21st feb. for the first week we had no problems apart from the way she kept on taking a deep breath but this being our first tortoise didnt really think anything of it. On week two she stopped eating and producing stools, i rang the pet shop we purchased her from and they said to give her a warm bath as she will be blocked up due to stress after being placed into a new home. This did not work so 2 days later i rang back, this time the shop owner said i cant really see how i can help u apart from turning the viv temp up to about 30c and see what happens if still no joy then she might need flushed out. On monday14th i took her to the vets who said they could not establish what could be wrong with her but gave her a vitamin injection and said to bring her back today 17th march.We went to another pet shop near our home who said the temp was to high and it should only be 25c and she was just dehydrated and to turn it down then she should start pulling around. She didnt really seem to be herself, and after her visit to the vets today she ended up taking a breath every 20 seconds and was sadley put to sleep. We are devastated and i was just wounderign if anybody has any advise they could offer. Also we had noticed she sometimes blew bubbles out of her nose even though she would not take any water.

Thanks for reading

Neill

Hi Neill,

I am so sorry to hear your tortoise has passed away. 

We hear this same tragic story so many times.  Tortoises from petshops and internet dealers are sadly imported into this country in the hundreds in appauling conditions.  Often riddled with parasites and illnesses which are passed on to the already stressed torts.  Petshops/dealers then give out totally the wrong advice, as you have found out.  They often recommend the wrong equipment such as vivariums which cost as much as the tortoise, but, all that is needed is an indoor rabbit cage or open table top.

We also recommend the use of tortoise specialist vets, as often 'ordinary' vets do not know how to treat torts.

I hope this hasnt put you off keeping a tortoise in the future.  Please read our care sheets (see left hand menu 'The Tortoise' and care sheets, this explains the correct husbandry.  We also have a list of UK breeders, should you want to buy another in the future, (the torts are often cheaper from UK breeders and you have ongoing expert advice from them).

Regards Vivienne

Hi Neill
Sorry to hear about your very upsetting experience. You had a lot to contend with, starting with a poorly tortoise and very bad advice, you did everything possible to help that little one. Like Vivienne has said, there are lots of really good UK breeders out there, so when you are ready, go to one of them, at least you will be starting with a healthy tortoise and lots of after care service. Don't let this experience put you off, Tortoise's are wonderful creatures and they give you lots of pleasure.
Kind regards
Jane, Keya & Molly

Hi Neill, I hope you are feeling better under the sad circumstances.

I was just wondering if you have informed the pet shop, whereabouts are you based?

regards Vivienne