Leo, the Russian Tortoise

When I got Leo last November, he was mostly a pet rock. He couldn't/wouldn't open his eyes or eat or drink or move or anything. I didn't know if he would even make it.

After about a month, Leo started eating and drinking on his own. He's now doing really well-- but he's discovered his feistiness! Oh, he's spunky! He kicks and huffs when I pick him up, He tries to buck himself forward and out of my hand. I had him on the floor in the sunshine on Saturday and he started ramming my dog Teddy who was smelling him.

Oh boy! It's great to see him alert & active, but he's definitely in a new category of Pet. I had originally hoped he could return to his first rescuer, but NOPE. He's a brat! He's cute! But a brat!

On Saturday, he started ramming Otis, my big red foot, because Otis was trying to share the sunshine space with him. It didn't take very long before Otis grew weary of Leo's attitude and crawled right over him to get to a better place in the sun.

Tortoise Turf Wars. Now at my house! ;)

And I promise no tortoises or dogs were harmed in the making of this post. After Otis crawled over Leo, they both kept their distance from each other.

Leo, rescue 158

Leonardo is an 8 year old Russian tortoise who is the size of a 9 month old. He recently moved homes and has not been eating, drinking, or pooping. 

Not sure what's going on with him. I'll take him to the vet tomorrow and start there. 

Oogy, rescue 104

Oogy is a 6 year old male Russian tortoise who needed a new home. So he's here with me for now. 

He's a bit smaller than he should be, but he's still adorable. 

I let him free roam tonight and he found a nice cozy spot to sleep. 

Sending Volde-tort home

Volde-tort's rescuer came tonight to take him home. :) He's so excited to have him and add him to his huge back yard.

We weren't even sure this poor Russian tortoise would make it, but he turned around fast!! He eats like a horse! 

He'll need a follow-up vet visit to see what's up with his eye, but that should be an easy fix too. 

This guy was owned for SIX years without a name! So we called "He who must not be Named!" or "Torte-mort" or "Volde-tort." 

He's going to have a great life now. For sure with great food, good lighting, a name, and love. 

Sickly Tortoise, rescue number 85

I have a hard enough time saying "No" to taking in sickly reptiles, but when my favorite tech at my vet's office calls to ask if I'd help with a half-dead Russian tortoise, I canNOT say "No." At all. 

This is why I have a super sickly, nameless tortoise in a sick tank in my bedroom. 

I actually saw this guy posted on our local reptiles classified last week but was feeling to overwhelmed with Turbo & Newt to take him. When the vet tech said "Russian tortoise," I knew that it was the same one. I felt terrible for the guy who bought him. 

His new owner bought the tortoise to get him out of a bad environment but didn't know how severe its illness was. He took the tort to the vet but didn't have the money to save him.

That's why the vet called me. 

I have the skills & supplies to do almost everything the vet wanted to do (minus the blood tests). I gave it a saline injection today and will give it another one tomorrow. Then I will start tube-feeding herbivore Critical Care formula. I have everything to do it so why not? 

The tortoise is severely dehydrated, severely malnourished, and has severe Metabolic Bone Disease. I can treat all three of those. 

Now we just wait and see if it's strong enough to pull through. 

And I go back to poking a sick reptile to see if it's still alive.