Sick??

Tom

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Basking directly under 105/ Humid hide 95 w / 75% humidity/ cool side Che on thermostat 82/ center w/ feeding plate ambient heat 85.
Last week came home one day with broken bulb and humid hide was only 75 degrees
I hear stories like the one from Zovick, but that hasn't been my experience. Every time I try to let temps drop a little, I end up with RI symptoms. I know other people are able to keep their adult tortoises cooler with out ill effect, and I have sometimes in the past too, but it doesn't always go that way. I also find babies to be a different story.

I would avoid meds as long as possible. If the coolness caused this issue, then heat will solve it. Turn the thermostat up to 85-86 and leave it there for at least two weeks after symptoms disappear.

I think basking temp is a little too high. Raise the bulb, lower the wattage, or run it through a rheostat to dial it down a little.

You've also learned lesson number 521 of tortoise keeping. When you find a bulb that works, buy lots of extras. They always burn out at the most inopportune times. I buy them in 6 or 12 packs. This saves money in the long term too.

When and where do you soak? How are you keeping the water warm for the entire soak?
 

Melissacoop

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I soak outside in two bins switching from one to another with warm water. I refill warm water as needed. I left him in his enclosure all day yesterday without soaking. Today I am soaking and he is making more noises than normal. His appetite seems ok but not exploring or grazing much I only saw a tiny bubble come out of his nose when I held him vertical. Eyes are clear but definitely sleeping more than normal. I am pretty convinced he has an upper respiratory infection and feel terrible.
 

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Melissacoop

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I soak outside in two bins switching from one to another with warm water. I refill warm water as needed. I left him in his enclosure all day yesterday without soaking. Today I am soaking and he is making more noises than normal. His appetite seems ok but not exploring or grazing much I only saw a tiny bubble come out of his nose when I held him vertical. Eyes are clear but definitely sleeping more than normal. I am pretty convinced he has an upper respiratory infection and feel terrible.
 

Melissacoop

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@Tom He seemed to be doing better. I raised the nighttime temp to 85. Lowered the basking temp to about 100-101. I left him in his enclosure for one day without soaking to let him rest. For two days when I held him vertical I did not see any bubbles coming from his nose. Then the next day figured I better soak him to poop. I made sure to keep the water warm at all times.
Now today he didn’t come out for breakfast again and I see Bubblea again. He is eating. I just brought him out now for sunshine and snack but plan to put him back after 15 minutes instead of his few hours. Should I continue to soak? In addition I am not filling his tubs so high.
 

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Tom

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@Tom He seemed to be doing better. I raised the nighttime temp to 85. Lowered the basking temp to about 100-101. I left him in his enclosure for one day without soaking to let him rest. For two days when I held him vertical I did not see any bubbles coming from his nose. Then the next day figured I better soak him to poop. I made sure to keep the water warm at all times.
Now today he didn’t come out for breakfast again and I see Bubblea again. He is eating. I just brought him out now for sunshine and snack but plan to put him back after 15 minutes instead of his few hours. Should I continue to soak? In addition I am not filling his tubs so high.
Definitely soak daily with the higher heat. It takes time for them to get over an RI. Keep those temps high for at least two weeks after symptoms disappear.
 

zovick

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[It has been six days now since you posted the first entry and it doesn't sounds as though it has gotten any better from what you saying. It may be possible at this point that this tortoise will not recover without the Ceftazidime injections with or without adjunctive therapy with the ophthalmic drops as I mentioned in posts #12, #15, #17, and #19.
 
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Melissacoop

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This morning he only half of his normal pile. ?
@Tom
Definitely soak daily with the higher heat. It takes time for them to get over an RI. Keep those temps high for at least two weeks after symptoms disappear.
ok. Thank you
[It has been six days now since you posted the first entry and it doesn't sounds as though it has gotten any better from what you saying. It may be possible at this point that this tortoise will not recover without the Ceftazidime injections with or without adjunctive therapy with the ophthalmic drops as I mentioned in posts #12, #15, #17, and #19.
Yes. That’s what I’m worried about. His appetite is good. Nasal discharge is clear. I was worried about using the ophthalmic drops with the steroid in it without any systemic antibiotics?
 

zovick

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ok. Thank you

Yes. That’s what I’m worried about. His appetite is good. Nasal discharge is clear. I was worried about using the ophthalmic drops with the steroid in it without any systemic antibiotics?
Then you should probably just get the ceftazidime and use it by itself or use both. I will add that for whatever it's worth, I have used the drops alone many times over the past 25 years and there has never been a problem.

I don't believe that the small dexamethasone component in those drops (which are really just a topical application) is comparable to oral systemic doses of something like prednisone which over time could allow an infection to get worse. In the drops it is mainly to topically reduce inflammation in the mucous membranes of the nose and tear ducts to cut down the mucus production.

Many humans take prednisone systemically and are not put on on antibiotics at the same time.
 
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Melissacoop

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Hi guys!
I am so thankful @Tom @zovick for getting me through my first respiratory infection. I implemented all your advice and finally yesterday I am seeing his behavior returning to normal. He is pacing and staring at me asking to come out and doing more grazing rather than stashing right away. I will keep the temps high for two more weeks, am keeping bath water warmer and lower than previously. I didn’t end up using the injectable antibiotics but did use the nose drops for a few days. Just wanted to update you so you know what worked for me!

Here he is in his pond munching on weeds. ?
Thanks again!
 

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zovick

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Hi guys!
I am so thankful @Tom @zovick for getting me through my first respiratory infection. I implemented all your advice and finally yesterday I am seeing his behavior returning to normal. He is pacing and staring at me asking to come out and doing more grazing rather than stashing right away. I will keep the temps high for two more weeks, am keeping bath water warmer and lower than previously. I didn’t end up using the injectable antibiotics but did use the nose drops for a few days. Just wanted to update you so you know what worked for me!

Here he is in his pond munching on weeds. ?
Thanks again!
Thanks for following through with the update. Glad to hear your tortoise is on the mend and that I was able to be of help.
 

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