Metronidazole

[Shaif]

Can someone please give some insight--
My vet has prescribed metronidazole for my baby Ibera tortoise. He's tiny-- only 60 grams and his appetite is nothing these days. If I put it in food, he would not eat it.
I don't know how to open his tiny mouth to administer the drug.


Thank you for any help!

 

[MPRC]

Metronidazole is incredibly bitter, if possible see if you can have the prescription sent to pharmacist to have it compounded into a better flavor.

 

[Shaif]

Metronidazole is incredibly bitter, if possible see if you can have the prescription sent to pharmacist to have it compounded into a better flavor.

Oh, that's a great idea.
Sadly, the vet gave me the Med right in his office. Anything I can do after the fact?

Thank you.

 

[Tom]

What ailment is being treated with the Flagyl? How was this ailment diagnosed?

Forgive my skepticism, but time and time again I find that most vets don't know what they are doing with tortoises, and frequently their treatments do more harm than good, or just do all harm.

These common drugs that work wonders on dogs and cats are often harmful or fatal to little tiny tortoises that are already in a compromised state. In most cases I would prefer to just offer optimal care, daily soaks and hope for the best when it comes to little babies.

Also, most vets seem to want to treat the symptoms, without discovering and correcting the cause of the ailment. In the cases I've dealt with, if you fix the problem, the symptoms go away on their own, unless the tortoises is just too far gone and nothing would have saved it anyway.

 

[Shaif]

What ailment is being treated with the Flagyl? How was this ailment diagnosed?

Forgive my skepticism, but time and time again I find that most vets don't know what they are doing with tortoises, and frequently their treatments do more harm than good, or just do all harm.

These common drugs that work wonders on dogs and cats are often harmful or fatal to little tiny tortoises that are already in a compromised state. In most cases I would prefer to just offer optimal care, daily soaks and hope for the best when it comes to little babies.

Also, most vets seem to want to treat the symptoms, without discovering and correcting the cause of the ailment. In the cases I've dealt with, if you fix the problem, the symptoms go away on their own, unless the tortoises is just too far gone and nothing would have saved it anyway.

Thank you, Tom.
Zeus has been straining for 2 days. It looks like he it trying to have a bowel movement but he can't.
He had a very, very odd bowel movement 2 days ago. It looked very much like intestinal tissue and had a small amount of feces inside. I have photos that I will upload asap.
The vet said that he suspects colitis. Thus flagyl. But I did not have any fecal matter for testing.
Zeus has always been a challenge. I have asked you about him before when I thought he might have hatchling failure--but with much effort and care--he is now 1 year old. Only 60 grams.

I'll take any advice!
And will post the the pics immediately.

Thank you,
Shaif

 

[Shaif]

Hopefully, the pics are attached. What came out looked like a tubular mushroom. I cut it open-- it had a fairly thick wall. Not pink. Grey. Inside was feces. Maybe a little bit of urate as well?

 

[Shaif]

@Tom
@Yvonne G
@deadheadvet

Sorry to bug you. Have you guys seen anything like the above pics?

My vet was not a herp specialist. He was just trying to be helpful. Said he is concerned about colitis.