100-year-old tortoise back on the move after recovery from surgery in Hereford
Tortoise undergoes leg amputation and resumes active garden life
Last updated 3 hours ago
A tortoise believed to be more than 100 years old is back on the move after undergoing life-changing surgery to amputate his leg.
Trotter, a Hermann’s tortoise who is believed to have already been a fully grown adult when he wandered into the garden of his family’s home in 1938, had to have one of his front legs removed when he was attacked by a wild animal.
The tortoise was referred to Vets for Pets in Hereford for treatment from another practice after his seriously injured leg became infected, leaving no other choice but to amputate it.
Trotter’s owner, Gillian Young, believes he may have originally escaped from a delivery boat passing through Bristol docks before making his way into the garden of her aunt, and has lived an “active outdoor life” with generations of the family.
Dr Elliot Goodwin, practice owner and veterinary surgeon at Hereford Vets for Pets, where Trotter is the oldest registered patient, said: “Trotter is an incredibly special patient, not just because of his age but because of how much he clearly means to his family.
“We knew surgery would be a big decision, especially for an older tortoise, and we could not be certain how he would adapt.
“His owners were determined to give him every chance and the care they provided at home made a huge difference to his recovery.”
Trotter has now fully healed from his surgery and is back enjoying his garden.
Mrs Young said: “Trotter has been part of our family for generations, so the thought of losing him was devastating.
“We knew the recovery would not be easy, but we wanted to do everything we could for him.
“Seeing him back outside, enjoying the sunshine and moving around again, means everything.”