She'll concern

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Teddy28
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Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

She'll concern

Post by Teddy28 » 15 Jul 2018, 11:23

Hi, bit of advice please.[attachment=0]20180715_110215_resized-2.jpg[/attachment]
My tort has been in his outdoor enclosure for a good few weeks now due to the weather and has taken to sleeping under a roof slate propped at an angle again the side of the enclosure.
Today I 've noticed this on top of his shell, see attached picture. He already had a badly distorted shell when he came to me but now it looks like blood under his shell in the yellow bit between the darker parts along the top of his shell. Could it just be caused by rubbing on the underside of his roof slate as he digs himself in to the substrate or something more serious?
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lin
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Re: She'll concern

Post by lin » 15 Jul 2018, 11:41

Yes, its more than likely brusing. Move the tile up so he isnt in contact with it, one of the edges might be to sharp. None of the blood is on the outside of the shell, is it?.
Keep an eye on him for a few days and make sure it dont get any worse or starts to subside indicating a bruise. If it does get bigger then please do get back to us.

Lin

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Nina
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Re: She'll concern

Post by Nina » 15 Jul 2018, 11:56

I think that does look like some sort of small bleeding under the shell. Is the surface of the shell scraped or scratched? Has her behaviour changed at all -- lethargy for example?
I am probably over reacting, and you could certainly wait a few days to see if it improves or gets worse, but I think it were my tortoise I would contact my vet immedately, -- you could maybe just email that photo to your vet in the first instance, for reassurance that it isn't something serious like septicaemia, that would require antibiotics. If you don't already have a tortoise vet we have a list of recommended ones in the UK by area here:
https://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/tor ... 0snr7gnaM8

Nina

Teddy28
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Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

Re: She'll concern

Post by Teddy28 » 15 Jul 2018, 12:20

Thanks both. Just noticed my spell checker changed 'shell to 'she'll'!!

I think I 'll do as you suggest Nina and email that pic to his vet (Fellipe at Ashleigh vets) and get his opinion. The shell is smooth not scratched but with it being on the highest part I suspect he s rubbing against the slate so I 'll re construct his hideaway.
Will let you know and thanks again

Teddy28
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Re: She'll concern

Post by Teddy28 » 15 Jul 2018, 12:24

Oops it's Filipe not Fellipe!

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Nina
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Re: She'll concern

Post by Nina » 15 Jul 2018, 12:36

Is this the handsome Tortollini that we are talking about? I remember you building him lovely areas for him to go in your garden.
I do hope he is fine, and let us know what the vet says!

Cheers,
Nina

Teddy28
Posts: 156
Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

Re: She'll concern

Post by Teddy28 » 15 Jul 2018, 18:21

Oh yes it's Tortollini, how lovely of you to remember him and he loves his outdoor enclosure. He s so sweet, comes out from under his slate when I call him.
I 've e-mailed the vets so hopefully I 'll get a reply tomorrow. I 've also balanced his slate on two bricks now so he can still hide under it without rubbing his shell. But of course being a horsfield, he just had to go climbing now its got a flat roof and launched himself off the edge, fortunately landing on freshly dug substrate!! Get rid of one problem and they show you another!!

Teddy28
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Re: Shell concern

Post by Teddy28 » 15 Jul 2018, 18:45

Here's a few pics, tort under his slate then 2 pics of his enclosure. The enclosure pic from the slate shingle end, if you look carefully on the left hand side half way along is his slate cave and you can just about make out his back leg sticking out from under the slate behind the rosemary sprigs :D
[attachment=2]20180715_182640_resized.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]20180715_182736_001_resized.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]20180715_182852_resized.jpg[/attachment]
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lin
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Re: She'll concern

Post by lin » 15 Jul 2018, 19:35

He really does look like he is in second heaven being all snug in his very own domaine.
You gace done a great job for him.

Lin

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Nina
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Re: She'll concern

Post by Nina » 15 Jul 2018, 20:14

Oh wow, I love that enclosure -- so much to keep him interested and active! And it's also great that he is exhibiting classic Horsfield behaviour -- climbing, launching himself into space, and no doubt planning the great escape by burrowing out of his little paradise. That means he is happy and healthy, and that you have done a good job!

Nina

Teddy28
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Re: She'll concern

Post by Teddy28 » 16 Jul 2018, 16:58

Erring on the side of caution, I 've booked Tort in to see Filipe on Friday. No harm in him having a health check.

Teddy28
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Re: Shell concern

Post by Teddy28 » 20 Jul 2018, 18:33

Hi again,Just an update from vet visit today. Tort had a good check over and no signs to cause concern. Not sure what has caused the blood under his shell but has given him a thimbleful of Metacam to dose over the next few days just in case he s in any discomfort. Heartbeat checked, probe up his tail and decent wait gain since his check last year. Vet said he would be more concerned if blood was between the scutes as it could be infection so that's worth knowing.
Torts don't give much away about their health do they so it's useful to get a vet check now and again for peace of mind.

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Nina
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Re: Shell concern

Post by Nina » 20 Jul 2018, 21:05

Hi -- I just wrote a reply and submitted it but it seems to have disappeared! So I'll write it again and hope you don't get it twice.
Thanks so much for the update, and what a relief it must be to know that Tortilla is OK. You're certainly right about torts not giving away much about their health, and we've known torts that suffered for a very long time from internal problems before it became obvious that something was wrong, so it was good that you took him to the vet -- and it sounds like you have a good vet too.

I was looking back over some of your previous posts and came upon the thread with the photos of the lovely outdoor enclosure that you built him. He certainly has the summer to really enjoy that enclosure, doesn't he!

Take care, and give Tortilla a little tickle under the chin from us (and tell him not to frighten the daylights out of you with any health scares again)!

Nina

Teddy28
Posts: 156
Joined: 06 May 2017, 10:57

Re: She'll concern

Post by Teddy28 » 20 Jul 2018, 22:21

Thanks Nina. Tickle under the chin duly administered!
We had such a downpour whilst at the vets that I put him under his lamp in his indoor enclosure on our return and he soon nodded off whilst basking. It's lovely watching him sleep but the slightest noise and those bright little eyes open to check out what's going on.
Hopefully it ll be nice and warm and dry again tomorrow
Best wishes

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