Daisy Lou + Vet + Xray = :(

[Torty Mom]

Hey everyone, just got back, making another appointment right now with a "Tortoise" vet. I am a wreck, she is full of all kinds of stones. Lisa and I both have been crying. There is a rather large mass near the center right lower portion of her little body, he thinks that it is a BIG stone, but he is not completly sure.

So here is a picture of the Xray.

Danny any thoughts? Anyone else?

 

[Laura]

that doesnt look like just bladder stones.. did she eat rocks?
does the vet say surgery is needed?
is there anything that helps disolve them??
I wonder if her owner knew.. and couldnt afford it, so decided to give her away..
it wouldnt be the first time someone did that... but.....

 

[Kristina]

Poor baby Obviously had a very poor diet for quite some time.

At least you have seen that the surgery itself isn't too difficult. I am sure the vet will have info and options for you.

Wishing for the best for you and Daisy Lou.

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

I have seen ours eat rocks and shells form time to time. Wish you the best.

 

[RV's mom]

wishing the best outcome possible.

teri

 

[coreyc]

I am so sorry well wishes

 

[ChiKat]

Nelson often tries to eat rocks outside because he is obsessed with cuttlebone/calcium and thinks every little white speck is calcium.
If she had a poor diet I could see her trying to eat rocks because of a calcium deficiency.

Do you know anything about how she was previously cared for?

 

[Torty Mom]

I have an 8 am appointment tomorrow with another vet who can read the x ray. I contacted Frank Lavac in Santa Monica who can do the surgery. I asked for a ballpark price and they said it starts at $1,000. I am trying really hard not to borrow trouble and wait until the xray is read by a professional. I hope to have really, really good news tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes! I appreciate it and if Daisy knew better she would too!

Lisa gave her another enema with the mineral oil.

Anyone have any other ideas? Should we try to put mineral down her throat? Is that even possible, it was hard enough to but it in her bottom.

Thanks again! Mary Anne

---

I am pretty sure she has not eaten any rocks. Yes, I know the quality of life she had prior to my rescue. The xray can confirm the lack thereof. If you PM I will share, otherwise I will keep it quiet. Don't want to cause a scene.

I do not think the previous owner has any clue on how sick she really is when she gave her to me. Heck, I had no clue until today.

Tomorrow, I hope to have a better grasp on the situation. Please say a prayer for Daisy Lou, it may be a rough few days!

 

[egyptiandan]

There is a larger stone there, but most is whats called bladder sand (very small stones). They are in different places because they aren't always just made in the bladder, they can be made in the intestines too. The bladder is attached to the large intestine with a very large opening, so ends up collecting the stones. The bladder can hold quite a lot.
You's have to use a stomach tube to get the mineral oil down where it needs to be. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It is though worth a try.

Danny

 

[Torty Mom]

Thanks Danny, maybe they can do that tomorrow. So it looks like a larger stone to you? I am afraid of that. What do you think her chances of that passing are? The last one was pretty big!

How long of poor care does it take to be that much of a mess? Her whole life?

 

[kimmer]

I am so sorry to hear about this. It was so kind of you to take in this tortoise without knowing anything about her health issues. This must be so difficult for you. I will be checking for updates.

Kim

 

[Isa]

Ohh no, I am so sorry to hear that. I can't wait to hear what the specialist will say tomorrow. I am sending plenty of positive thoughts your way and Daisy Lou is in my prayers.
Please keep us updated.

 

[egyptiandan]

Yes it's been going on for quite a while. The one I see should be able to be passed as it looks smaller than the pelvic girdle. It's mixed in with the larger small stone mass on the right.

Danny

 

[Maggie Cummings]

Why can't they use that sonic thing that vibrates and shatters the stones, making them smaller and easier to pass...

 

[Torty Mom]

Good question Maggie, I will ask tomorrow.

 

[RianSeeking]

Poor Daisy Lou. She is in my thoughts. I'm so glad you took her in.

 

[Becki]

Danny, all of those little white patches in the x-Ray have to pass?
Sending bet wishes for the vet visit tomorrow!

 

[Torty Mom]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and well wishes. It means alot to me that so many of you care about her. It just sucks badly that everything I was worried about is coming true.

I am glad I took her in, even though I have been crying most of the day. Poor Daisy Lou had tear drops falling on her! My son, keeps looking at me and wanting to know why I am sad, I'll tell him tomorrow or the next day....he wants me to drive back to LA so he can tell the other lady what a "bad mom" she was! So cute how 11 year olds process information, he is very protective of her, and is well aware that he will be her caretaker after I am gone.

Thanks again everyone for caring about me and my tortie, it means alot to me!! I am thankful for all of you and TFO!!!

 

[Laura]

I had a cat with stones.. he had to ahve a special surgery that made him more female..

one of the things they were going to do to help him pass them was to infuse with bladder with saline mixed with a lubricant to help the stones pass. Flush them out.
can they do that with a tort?
If this were a male is it harder due to the opening being smaller.. like my cat?

 

[Tom]

Sometimes torts just eat rocks. It doesn't necessarily come from bad husbandry or a Ca deficiency. Out of all the sulcatas I've had, Daisy is the only one that does this. I've seen this in CDTs more than any other species.

In Daisy's case they always pass and I find the "gravel" at the bottom of the soaking pan.