An emergency case I was called to on a stormy day:

A 50 cm long, 5 Kg C. sulcata, has been reported with anorexia and exhaustion.

Upon arrival to the petting center where the tortoise was held, it was found lethargic but still ambulatory.

A complete and thorough physical check has been done- the body temperature of the tortoise was below 20 Deg. C and there were signs of more than 10% dehydration- the eyes were sunken at the orbits, similarly to the skin at the skull just dorsally to the postorbital bone.

A dehydrated and starving C. sulcata

Lethargy was extreme and the tortoise failed to hold the neck straight during the examination.

From the condition of the tortoise it seemed that starvation was the major cause of its condition, leading to lethargy and dehydration.

The tortoise was treatment as follows:

For rehydration: 500 ml Lactate Ringer solution (LRS) was warmed to 28 Deg. C., and provided to the coelom cavity. Another 100 ml LRS were provided each day for the following 3 days sequentially. In addition, it was placed in warm water each day for 15 min., injected with multivitamins to the coelom cavity, and placed on a pile of fresh food.

Ambient Temp., was 27 Deg.C and light was provided 24 hours to elicit activity and food seeking.

Results- a short time after providing the first LRS treatment the tortoise became alert and looked for food. It grabbed leaves but failed to chew it and left the site. On the second day, after the second LRS treatment, the tortoise started to consume food and became stronger.

From the third treatment day the tortoise ate freely and gained strength. No further treatments were needed afterwards.

The tortoise after emergency fluid and vitamin therapy regain eating and gaining weight

Nowadays it feels good, eating with a good appetite and roaming the cage freely.