Why is my Africian-spurred-desert- tortoise shell soft

by Cassie
(Florence, AZ, USA)

I have a 3 1/2 year old Africian spurred tortise and about 4 months ago I found it turned upside down in his basking area. Once flipped over he seemed to carry on and eat as normal but now his shell is sunken and soft and he does not eat and seems very depressed. Is there something wrong with him? Should the back half of his shell be soft and sunken? If you pick him up and look at him from the front his head seems like it can't come out of the shell now because it is soft and sunken. He has always been able to walk and come out of his shell like "normal" but I have noticed a change since he was found on his back. Please give any help that you can. I can't bear to watch him not play and eat like previously.