Horsefield tortoises

Question
Hi,
Please help me I have a Horsefield tortoise who I look after well and do
everything i was told to do buy the pet shop and vet. He is one and a half but
has been blowing bubbles out of his mouth and nose. He makes noises like
he is  wheezing and has a runny nose. I took him to the vet and she said he
had a cold and gave him an injection. I have also been given antibiotics to
give him daily in a syringe. He isn't eating and Im finding it so hard to make
sure he takes the liquid because he puts his head in. Im afraid im hurting him
when I force his mouth open. I know this sounds stupid but Im so scared he
is going to die. He doesn't eat, drink and Im not sure he is getting enough of
his medicine!
Please tell me how I can make him better or attempt to make him better!
Thank you.  

Answer
Hi Kellie,

It does sound like your tortoise has a respiratory infection, which usually will respond well to antibiotics.  Sometimes you can inject the medication into a bit of fruit (they shouldn't have fruit normally, but since you have to get the medication in sometimes you have to be a little tricky).  In this case, since your tortoise isn't eating, I would call the vet and ask for them to show you how to do injections.  It isn't difficult and it's much less stressful for the tortoise than trying to give them orally to a tortoise that's not eating.  As a last resort, ask if you can bring the tortoise in and have them give the injections for you.  I agree that trying to get medications into a reluctant tortoise when you're not experienced is very difficult, and causes too much stress, so do call the vet and let them know you need another method.  Good luck!