The tortoise fell into the pond
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Answer:
I had the most horrible experience of finding my tortoise at the bottom of my garden pond 3 days ago. He had climbed over his obviously not so tortoise-proof barrier and I estimate that he could have
Over the next hour or so I quickly consulted the internet but couldn't find much except sites telling me he would drown. His eyes began to clear but he didn't look a happy chappy so I took him the next day to my vet who said he looked as though he had "got away with it". I asked him for antibiotics which he gave him and also a one-off dose of Fusemide, which I understand helps with any water being drawn into the tissues.
That night he passed some water I think and a strange blob of pink fleshy stuff which worried me. I kept him on a slight incline as I was worried he may choke on anything he ejected from his mouth.
Today he finally ate a strawberry, having refused food the 2 days after it happened. I was so relieved. Tomorrow he goes back to the vets for his second antibiotic injection. Fingers crossed he is OK. Everything I read on the internet says a tortoise will drown under water, but my vet says they had one that survived 24 hours under water....?
My question is this....how long can a spur-thighed tortoise survive? Was he very lucky? Will he have sufffered any permanent damage? Can they get brain damage from lack of oxygen and how would this present itself. He seems to be able to see OK.
Thank-you.