Poorly tortoise

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Jenson
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Joined: 21 Jul 2020, 19:34

Poorly tortoise

Post by Jenson » 06 Aug 2020, 23:25

Hi
I was here a couple of weeks ago, and got lots of advice on settling in the horsfield I adopted.
Unfortunately he had a few days of not eating and being very lethargic, so he’s been to the vets today and has a respiratory infection.
He is booked in for antibiotic injections, but I’m feeling a bit useless, and looking for any practical things I can do to make him more comfortable?
Does anyone have experience of their tortoise coming around from this sort of thing?
As an aside - I mentioned that I check all his food on the plant database here, and the vet said it was indeed an excellent place for tortoise information!
Last edited by Jenson on 06 Aug 2020, 23:59, edited 1 time in total.

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lin
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Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:27

Re: Poorly tortoise

Post by lin » 06 Aug 2020, 23:57

Oh wow. What a good vet you have Jenson.

Did he let you know that while on antibiotics the heat should be on the warm side day and night to ensure they work. I would think it will be fine in this heatwave we are having but should the temps drop while he is being treated just double check the temps. Daily bathing in nice warm water up to the chin will allow for hydration.
Dogs, cats, kids and tortoises, no matter what it is, if its poorly we always feel pretty helpless but I am sure he is in good hands. Yes tortoises do come out of this and show no repercusion and because you found it before there were any signs at such an early stage he should be fine.
What were the antibiotics that were used Jenson, do you remember?

Lin

Jenson
Posts: 8
Joined: 21 Jul 2020, 19:34

Re: Poorly tortoise

Post by Jenson » 07 Aug 2020, 00:11

Thanks for your reply Lin.
Really good to know it’s not all doom and gloom, he just looks so fed up. Yes, I’m keeping a close eye on temps, and glad it’s looking nice as I was also told to get him out as much as possible. He has a sugary solution (energy drink?) to bathe in, so yes, will be upping the hydration.
I don’t know what the antibiotics injections are I’m afraid - I only got the card machine receipt when I paid, rather than an itemised one.
Thanks a lot for your advice, it’s really helpful to hear what others have found useful.

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Nina
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Re: Poorly tortoise

Post by Nina » 07 Aug 2020, 09:09

Hi Jenson,

So sorry to be late in coming onto this thread, and really sorry to hear that he is unwell. As you only got him in mid-July he was probably harbouring that illness when he arrived with you, so I doubt very much that it was anything to do with your husbandry.

The antiobiotics should clear it up, and just to double check, is the vet an 'exotics' or 'reptile' specialist vet? Ordinary vets sometimes don't have sufficient knowledge of reptiles as they are given very little training on them in their course work, but many vets do have specialist knowledge (we have a list of recommended vets on our website).

Just out of curiosity, is the 'sugary solution' something that the vet recommended? you know the name of it? If it is Reptoboost, then it is fine, because although it has dextrose in it (and dextrose is a simple sugar), tortoises can tolerate it, and it can help when a tortoise is ill.

Fingers crossed that he recovers quickly -- and getting outdoors in this warm weather will really help.

Cheers,
Nina

Jenson
Posts: 8
Joined: 21 Jul 2020, 19:34

Re: Poorly tortoise

Post by Jenson » 07 Aug 2020, 23:37

Hello Nina,

Appreciate the reassurance- I asked a lot about the things I’m doing, and the vet did say he would have recommended those changes had they not been in place (thanks for the help there).

Yes, it’s one of the vets listed here, I was really impressed with how long he spent checking everything, and talking about husbandry etc. He gave me the bath solution and it is indeed reptoboost - sorry if I made it sound like a Red Bull!

So the little guy didn’t eat again today, although he was mostly very energetic outside. Back at the vets tomorrow for the next antibiotics, hopefully they’ll be kicking in soon.

Thanks again

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Nina
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Joined: 16 Mar 2017, 11:22

Re: Poorly tortoise

Post by Nina » 08 Aug 2020, 13:24

It sounds like he is in good hands, and the fact that he was energetic when he was outdoors is a very good sign.

Have you tried hand feeding him with something that you know he is fond of? It's a slippery slope because if you hand feed too much then they don't want to eat by themselves, but you could try, just to get him started. Also you could try a thin slice of peeled cucumber (in hot weather it's good for hydration and they do like cucumber).

Good luck at the vets, and I hope it goes well.

Nina

Jenson
Posts: 8
Joined: 21 Jul 2020, 19:34

Re: Poorly tortoise

Post by Jenson » 11 Aug 2020, 17:06

Thanks for that Nina.
So I tried a little cucumber, and holding food in front of him, but he just kept turning away, or even falling asleep with his head on top of the leaves.

Yesterday and today however, he has independently eaten a handful of dandelion leaves, both times at about 1.30pm, so he’s taking a while to gear up to it.

I was over the moon with that, as otherwise he’s gone back to being totally inactive. He will not be tempted by anything else - do you think I should hold off with the dandelions for a bit, or just keep going as he’s at least eating something?

He had an injection at the vets today, and he gave me a 3 week supply to do at home.

Not a huge amount to report, but the relief at seeing him eat was unbelievable!

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Nina
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Re: Poorly tortoise

Post by Nina » 11 Aug 2020, 17:54

I think that is very hopeful news. I would definitely keep on with the dandelions, but I would wet them thoroughly and then cut up something else that is good into very tiny pieces and sprinkle a few of those tiny pieces on the dandelion, so that they stick to it, and that way when he takes a bite of dandelion he will get some of the other stuff as well.
Also, in this heat those baths in the Reptoboost will help to keep him hydrated.

You’re doing really well, and hopefully he’ll go from strength to strength now.

Nina

Jenson
Posts: 8
Joined: 21 Jul 2020, 19:34

Re: Poorly tortoise

Post by Jenson » 11 Aug 2020, 18:00

That’s a great idea - I have been giving him wet leaves, but much better to use that to add other things.
Yes, the baths have been good I think, he’s passing urates every day so that’s something.
Will keep going!

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