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Tube feeding horse field tortoise
Posted: 22 Apr 2020, 17:26
by Misty666tortoise
Re: Tube feeding horse field tortoise
Posted: 22 Apr 2020, 19:46
by lin
All the info you need is covered in here Misty. Have a read and get back if you have questions that you need answered.
https://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/nursing.html
Can I ask if the tube is already inserted or you have to do it.
Has your vet told you how much and when you need to feed and finally it is better, rather than risk blocking the tube, to use liquid nourishment as in this article.
Let me know what you think of it and we can answer any questions you might have after.
Lin
Re: Tube feeding horse field tortoise
Posted: 23 Apr 2020, 08:02
by Misty666tortoise
Re: Tube feeding horse field tortoise
Posted: 23 Apr 2020, 09:53
by Nina
Hi Misty,
Well done for rescuing this tortoise! Did the vet say what he thought was the cause of her problem? Regarding the vitamin injections -- do you know which vitamins they were ? It's just that tortoises usually should not have vitamin A injections, because that can cause problems. In rare cases this might be necessary, but often if there are eye problems vets who are not reptile specialists will recommend vitamin A injections and this should not be done except in rare cases.
Just checking other things, what sort of set-up do you have for her (tortoise table, vivarium, etc.) and what are the temperatures in her table, directly under the heat source and also at the cooler end of the table. Could you send us a photo? What type of UVB light does the tortoise have (either a mercury vapour combined heat and light bulb or a UVB fluorescent tube). Sometimes little tweaks in a set-up can bring about a big difference.
It sounds like you're doing a good job with the feeding and hopefully this will bring her back strength and she will soon be eating on her own. Could you just clarify how you are tube feeding? Are you putting the tube into her mouth or inserting it all the way into her stomach?
Cheers,
Nina