{"id":16587,"date":"2026-06-23T10:30:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T15:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emeraid.com\/vet\/?p=16587"},"modified":"2026-06-18T11:39:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T16:39:02","slug":"gopher-tortoise-with-facial-injuries-suffers-emaciation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emeraid.com\/vet\/gopher-tortoise-with-facial-injuries-suffers-emaciation\/","title":{"rendered":"Gopher Tortoise With Facial Injuries Suffers Emaciation"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"gopher
Courtesy of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The following story about a gopher tortoise was shared with us by Busch Wildlife Sanctuary<\/a> in Florida.
\n<\/em>
\nA juvenile gopher tortoise was admitted severely emaciated and dehydrated, weighing 134 grams (about 4.2 ounces). The patient presented with significant facial swelling, stomatitis, and damage to the upper beak, leaving the tortoise weak, unable to eat independently, and in need of intensive supportive care.<\/p>\n

Using assisted feedings with EmerAid Sustain Herbivore<\/a>, warm water soaks, antibiotics, and pain management, staff worked to stabilize the tortoise and encourage recovery.<\/p>\n

Over time, the patient slowly became brighter, more active, and began showing interest in eating independently, especially soft fruits and leafy greens.<\/p>\n

Throughout rehabilitation, the tortoise steadily gained weight to 160 grams (about 5.6 ounces) while facial swelling and overall condition improved significantly. Careful monitoring and ongoing supportive treatment helped give this young tortoise a strong chance at recovery and eventual return to the wild.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A gopher tortoise with injuries suffers emaciation and dehydration, but Busch Wildlife Sanctuary rehabs it until healthy enough for return to the wild.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":16589,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16587","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGopher Tortoise With Facial Injuries Suffers Emaciation - EmerAidVet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A gopher tortoise suffers injuries, emaciation and dehydration, but Busch Wildlife Sanctuary works to bring it back to good health.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/emeraid.com\/vet\/gopher-tortoise-with-facial-injuries-suffers-emaciation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gopher Tortoise With Facial Injuries Suffers Emaciation - 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