KateZ
Member
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2016
- Messages
- 36
i am new to the tortoise forum but was overwhelmed by the support and advise. Everything that each one of you taught me was spot on as it related to care of my yearling leopard tortoise. The food, temp, substrate, UVB and heating etc.
Today I took my little guy to the exotic vet in Scottsdale, AZ after owning him for just over a week. It saddens me that people are so driven by money that they have no sense of humanity.
I bought this one year old leopard tortoise via the web from what I read to be a reputable tortoise breeder. He never ate a bite while since I've owned him. Many of you gave me great advise. I've soaked him, changed his temp introduced him to outdoors (weather permiting) etc. one of you even noticed pyramiding from a photo that I hadn't even noticed.
All I knew was that something was wrong. I kept thinking "failure to thrive". He showed very little Interest in food in fact I thought his jaw wasn't even working. Almost like he didn't know how to bite down. I didn't know that the bottom of his shell felt too soft either. I am a novice.
After a tearful week of worry and concern for the little guy I was certain he wouldn't make it. After the vet visit we are clearly not out of the woods but at least have a plan of treatment.
The vet looked at the photos of my habitat, meal plan etc. and said that I was doing everything correctly. The vet determined that the illness my tortoise was suffering had begun long before I received him last week.
Raffi, my little leopard tortoise, has nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) sometimes known as metabolic bone disease. He said that this is due to some combination of a diet of too low calcium, a diet too high in phosphorus, lack of ultraviolet B or lack of vitamin D3, temperatures that are too cool, parasites within intestines interfering with digestion and/or lack of water.
Raffi was prescribed injectable calcium gluconate to boost his calcium level. He was assist fed today to provide vsome nutrition. He will likely have permanent changes in shape of his jaw (thus not biting well)
There is also chance that Raffi has another condition related to kidneys that he will be tested for. In the mean time he has two daily injections. Meloxicam 0.5 mg/ml TGH injections daily for inflammation and pain associated with NDHP and calcium + D3 injections to strengthen bones. His jaw was what they considered lax from the NDHP. They are hoping over time he will strengthen. We have a long way to go with possibly weeks Or months of assisted feeding injections.
I am saddened at what people will do for money. I've learned a valuable lesson - get referrals for reputable breeders before buying. This poor little fellow may not have survived and still has a very rough road ahead. I am frustrated and worried. I haven't even considered the exorbitant cost this breeder has cost me. I just love the little leopard so much. My only concern is his health and well being.
Today I took my little guy to the exotic vet in Scottsdale, AZ after owning him for just over a week. It saddens me that people are so driven by money that they have no sense of humanity.
I bought this one year old leopard tortoise via the web from what I read to be a reputable tortoise breeder. He never ate a bite while since I've owned him. Many of you gave me great advise. I've soaked him, changed his temp introduced him to outdoors (weather permiting) etc. one of you even noticed pyramiding from a photo that I hadn't even noticed.
All I knew was that something was wrong. I kept thinking "failure to thrive". He showed very little Interest in food in fact I thought his jaw wasn't even working. Almost like he didn't know how to bite down. I didn't know that the bottom of his shell felt too soft either. I am a novice.
After a tearful week of worry and concern for the little guy I was certain he wouldn't make it. After the vet visit we are clearly not out of the woods but at least have a plan of treatment.
The vet looked at the photos of my habitat, meal plan etc. and said that I was doing everything correctly. The vet determined that the illness my tortoise was suffering had begun long before I received him last week.
Raffi, my little leopard tortoise, has nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) sometimes known as metabolic bone disease. He said that this is due to some combination of a diet of too low calcium, a diet too high in phosphorus, lack of ultraviolet B or lack of vitamin D3, temperatures that are too cool, parasites within intestines interfering with digestion and/or lack of water.
Raffi was prescribed injectable calcium gluconate to boost his calcium level. He was assist fed today to provide vsome nutrition. He will likely have permanent changes in shape of his jaw (thus not biting well)
There is also chance that Raffi has another condition related to kidneys that he will be tested for. In the mean time he has two daily injections. Meloxicam 0.5 mg/ml TGH injections daily for inflammation and pain associated with NDHP and calcium + D3 injections to strengthen bones. His jaw was what they considered lax from the NDHP. They are hoping over time he will strengthen. We have a long way to go with possibly weeks Or months of assisted feeding injections.
I am saddened at what people will do for money. I've learned a valuable lesson - get referrals for reputable breeders before buying. This poor little fellow may not have survived and still has a very rough road ahead. I am frustrated and worried. I haven't even considered the exorbitant cost this breeder has cost me. I just love the little leopard so much. My only concern is his health and well being.
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