First one year VET appointment help....

[TarHeelNC]

So had this guy "Gramps" almost a year now and I've def struggled to give him everything he needs in his indoor enclosure but overall I've wanted a tort my whole life and I'm loving it so far. We are building a new outdoor enclosure this spring too!! (He is too big for kiddie pool now lol) He has doubled in size since I got him and now that he has two new hatchling friends he has really started acting "normal" which I think I mean more social. Not sleeping so much. Anywho!! It's been almost a year and I want to be sure he is healthy and I'm doing things right so we are having our first vet check up in feb. I wanted to ask the experienced owners what to except and what to ask. What are the must have's in vet check up? They love to interact and watch each other, trust me, nothing but love going on here.

 

[Yvonne G]

Just don't let the vet give any vitamin shots.

You've got a very nice-looking tortoise there.

 

[TarHeelNC]

Okay thanks. How often do u take your torts to the vet for check ups

 

[Yvonne G]

I don't. Because I 'rescue' sick and injured turtles and tortoises, I have a lot of experience with that type, and can usually take care of anything on my own.

But someone with only one or two tortoises, who doesn't have a whole lot of experience and insight, I think it's a good idea to take the animal in and get his stats on the record. Then, it's up to you and the vet, but an annual check up would not be out of line.

 

[TarHeelNC]

Cool. Yea I have zero experience beyond our year together so I appreciate it the other two are still months old, and doing well so gonna wait till they are a year but I am gonna start doing some charting of my own for their one year check up.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

You may discover that you have more experience than the vet.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

I've had MUCH better results consulting with the folks here and saving the money. I spent about $400 on a vet bill for something I was going to do for free. Make sure that your exotic vet "does" tortoises! So many don't have a clue. I would only bring one that is clearly ill.

 

[TarHeelNC]

Yes I'm lucky that one of the best vet school in the country is down the road North Carolina state university. And they have reptile specialists, and I called them and asked directly about seeing my redfoot Tort. I doubt I'll keep going the vet every year but because I have so little experience I think it would be best (for $60) to have a professional see him and say,"Hey, he looks great, keep it up" bc there's only so much I can determine about his physical health at this age by readings. but thank you I look up every question here on this forum and your rights it's wonderful.

 

[TarHeelNC]

Plus this vet doc has many good reviews from locals and has information on their site about Redfoot and pictures of patients on the site. Plus talking to staff member she mentioned current redfoot clients. So I know I'm going to the right place. I have just never taken a reptile to the vet and was curious if it's slit like dogs and cats with blood work and such. thanks

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Super! My vet was less informed than myself.

 

[deadheadvet]

Humidity is most important for Redfoots. They need humidity above 50% indoors to do well indoors. You will likely need a misting system to get the humidity up that high in your indoor enclosure. During the summer outside Redfoots will do fine outside in NC.
Check out www.coastalsilkworms.com for a good misting system. I'm using it for my tortoises.
As far as your appt. at the vet school, only see Dr. Lewbart. Even if you have to wait some weeks.

 

[TarHeelNC]

Thanks!! I agree indoor humidity had been the problem but we have been doing warm baths and steam baths in the shower to help and they have been doing great. We have a vaporizer set up by the tank too to help. My next big project is a BIG outdoor enclosure. Something they can grow in. Still doing research on that nc I'm not sure in I should use tarp or something that lets the mulch drain water. About to search enclosure forums. Thanks!!

 

[deadheadvet]

Where in NC you located?

 

[TarHeelNC]

Chapel hill nc lol tarheelnc

 

[deadheadvet]

Well we won't hold that against you ( since the UNC basketballl team can't write their own term papers can they LOL)
You're welcome to come by and see my set up anytime since I live down the road in Cary.

 

[TarHeelNC]

Oh sweet!! Yea I'd love to get come take a look sometime! Thanks

 

[TarHeelNC]

So we had our appointment today. They all couldn't get over his name lol thought it was too funny. But gramps is year old, weight 192.9 grams. Said he looked beautiful that there was no issues. They answered all my questions and gave me some suggestions to improve his diet. At one point my heart melted because she kept picking him up to lol at him and when he finally was put back down I had my hands resting on the table, he walked right to me and sat in my hands for the rest of the appointment snuggles!! Soo glad we went. Easied my worried mind. And yes I made a makeshift sweater bc it's like 18 degrees out and even in the carrier I didn't want to shock his system.

 

[deadheadvet]

So who was the vet you saw today. And Sorry about the OT loss to Duke the other night!

 

[TarHeelNC]

Avian & exotic animal care in Raleigh near glenwood Ave. The doctor I saw had her own tortoise AND they had two big Sulcates living at the center full time I'm gonna go back and visit when It gets warmer. Said they didn't come out of there hot boxes in winter.

 

[TarHeelNC]

I'm ignore you by the way lol game could have gone either way so I'm not broken hearted.