Skoghest
New Member
Hi all,
I am desperate for any advice. I started caring for an 18yo sulcata 3 years ago for a nonprofit. He unfortunately has not had the best care, so I have been trying to improve it as well as I can. The problem is he's been limping for the past year, and it has progressed over the last couple months to barely using his back legs at all. When he walks he drops from side to side or just drags his shell because his back legs can't support his full weight (see attached video). Luckily he is otherwise healthy, but he is still a relatively young tortoise so I want to make sure he is not in pain and to hopefully keep him mobile for the rest of his life.
We live in a small town, so our vet has seen a few sulcatas before but it's not his main expertise. Luckily we were able to get funding to give him a radiograph and blood test. Here are his results:
Blood
PCV actually a touch high, proteins also. Potassium is high, Sodium and Chloride low, but the only thing that is really appreciable is the K+ at 12.7 (normal listed as 3.6 – 6)
Radiograph (x-ray)
Two similar osseous lesions causing marked enlargement of the included left tarsus and right carpus
Large, smoothly marginated mineral body occupies each respective joint
Sharply demarcated from surrounding soft tissues. The mineral is homogeneously porous, with HU values from 300-600+
No distinction of normal carpal or tarsal bones Surrounds and causes lysis of the distal left tibia and fibula as well as the distal right radius
Remaining included musculoskeletal structures are normal
Numerous small calculi mixed with mineralized sediment dependently within the urinary bladder. Remaining coelomic structures are unremarkable
Conclusions: Left tarsal and right carpal osseous bodies and associated joint enlargement with involvement of adjacent bones, consider gout. Cystolithiasis.
They also suspect it could be a tumor. We have put him on pain meds/anti-inflammatories but it doesn't seem to make a difference. We are just trying to give him as much exercise outside as possible and focus on hydration/nutrition.
Background info:
He normally lives in a large greenhouse with a hide and burrow, and the room always stays between 60-70F (night) and 80-110F (day).
Old Diet (for 15 years)
- Inappropriate produce (fruits, high oxalic acid greens, etc)
- Incorrect Mazuri (forest tort kind with lots of protein)
- No hay
- No soaking
New Diet (for 3 years)
- Soaked Mazuri (desert LS)
- Soaked orchard & timothy hay
- Appropriate veggies, cactus & flowers 1x/wk
- Lawn grass, dandelion, clover (summer/spring only)
- Soaked weekly(ish)
If any other information would be helpful please let me know. I would love any insights into things I can try, experts to talk to, and just encouragement about this situation. I am so worried about him and want him to be able to walk for the long life ahead of him. TYIA
I am desperate for any advice. I started caring for an 18yo sulcata 3 years ago for a nonprofit. He unfortunately has not had the best care, so I have been trying to improve it as well as I can. The problem is he's been limping for the past year, and it has progressed over the last couple months to barely using his back legs at all. When he walks he drops from side to side or just drags his shell because his back legs can't support his full weight (see attached video). Luckily he is otherwise healthy, but he is still a relatively young tortoise so I want to make sure he is not in pain and to hopefully keep him mobile for the rest of his life.
We live in a small town, so our vet has seen a few sulcatas before but it's not his main expertise. Luckily we were able to get funding to give him a radiograph and blood test. Here are his results:
Blood
PCV actually a touch high, proteins also. Potassium is high, Sodium and Chloride low, but the only thing that is really appreciable is the K+ at 12.7 (normal listed as 3.6 – 6)
Radiograph (x-ray)
Two similar osseous lesions causing marked enlargement of the included left tarsus and right carpus
Large, smoothly marginated mineral body occupies each respective joint
Sharply demarcated from surrounding soft tissues. The mineral is homogeneously porous, with HU values from 300-600+
No distinction of normal carpal or tarsal bones Surrounds and causes lysis of the distal left tibia and fibula as well as the distal right radius
Remaining included musculoskeletal structures are normal
Numerous small calculi mixed with mineralized sediment dependently within the urinary bladder. Remaining coelomic structures are unremarkable
Conclusions: Left tarsal and right carpal osseous bodies and associated joint enlargement with involvement of adjacent bones, consider gout. Cystolithiasis.
They also suspect it could be a tumor. We have put him on pain meds/anti-inflammatories but it doesn't seem to make a difference. We are just trying to give him as much exercise outside as possible and focus on hydration/nutrition.
Background info:
He normally lives in a large greenhouse with a hide and burrow, and the room always stays between 60-70F (night) and 80-110F (day).
Old Diet (for 15 years)
- Inappropriate produce (fruits, high oxalic acid greens, etc)
- Incorrect Mazuri (forest tort kind with lots of protein)
- No hay
- No soaking
New Diet (for 3 years)
- Soaked Mazuri (desert LS)
- Soaked orchard & timothy hay
- Appropriate veggies, cactus & flowers 1x/wk
- Lawn grass, dandelion, clover (summer/spring only)
- Soaked weekly(ish)
If any other information would be helpful please let me know. I would love any insights into things I can try, experts to talk to, and just encouragement about this situation. I am so worried about him and want him to be able to walk for the long life ahead of him. TYIA