URGENT Please help! Speedy is deteriorating.

[zovick]

Speedy has just made a high pitched squeal when weeing and then had this thick discharge around his cloaca, I’ve bottled for vet although I don’t know if it’s much use. Any ideas what could cause this? Thanks again.

How long has it been since the tortoise has eaten? It looks like what I have seen from animals that have not eaten for a very long time. Other than that, I would guess that it is due to irritation of the gut lining from one or another of the parasites we have been discussing.

 

[Speedy101]

How long has it been since the tortoise has eaten? It looks like what I have seen from animals that have not eaten for a very long time. Other than that, I would guess that it is due to irritation of the gut lining from one or another of the parasites we have been discussing.

He last ate on the 23rd of November but he threw it all up, vet tube fed him into stomach this Tuesday Just gone. Can parasites cos lack of mobility or might it be from the obvious pain he’s experiencing hence the squeal.

 

[Roxanneizded]

I believe he is uncomfortable due to excreting medication and parasitic debris. Keep up what you are doing. Practice good hand washing and stop stimulating him. Decrease the stimuli in his environment. Relax. You got this.

 

[Speedy101]

I believe he is uncomfortable due to excreting medication and parasitic debris. Keep up what you are doing. Practice good hand washing and stop stimulating him. Decrease the stimuli in his environment. Relax. You got this.

I’ll let him rest okay thanks! If vet suggests more medication, should I decline until I have a solid diagnosis? Would even more medication now be extremely bad?
Like I said he has his second worming dose next Tuesday.

 

[zovick]

I’ll let him rest okay thanks! If vet suggests more medication, should I decline until I have a solid diagnosis? Would even more medication now be extremely bad?
Like I said he has his second worming dose next Tuesday.

More medication would be OK if it is indicated for treatment of some other organism which the current worming medication does not treat. The priority in my mind is to determine exactly what parasite(s) the tortoise has or does not have in its digestive tract and then treat it accordingly.

Tube feeding may be necessary to get medication(s) and a nutritional supplement into the tortoise, I would ask the vet to place a feeding tube into the tortoise's neck so you can administer the medication(s) and foods at home without necessitating numerous trips to the vet. This is more accurate for giving medication and much less stressful for the tortoise than trying to force its mouth open and give these things orally which could result in their accidental aspiration and subsequent pneumonia.

 

[Roxanneizded]

I’ll let him rest okay thanks! If vet suggests more medication, should I decline until I have a solid diagnosis? Would even more medication now be extremely bad?
Like I said he has his second worming dose next Tuesday.

You have until next Tuesday. At this point, follow your vet's recommendation. Healing is going to take a while. A few weeks to build him up; at minimum. If you quit treatment, the parasites will rebound with a vengence. Keep him warm and hydrated. Reptiles are tough. And so are you. Speedy is doing his best. Take a breather.

 

[Speedy101]

More medication would be OK if it is indicated for treatment of some other organism which the current worming medication does not treat. The priority in my mind is to determine exactly what parasite(s) the tortoise has or does not have in its digestive tract and then treat it accordingly.

Tube feeding may be necessary to get medication(s) and a nutritional supplement into the tortoise, I would ask the vet to place a feeding tube into the tortoise's neck so you can administer the medication(s) and foods at home without necessitating numerous trips to the vet. This is more accurate for giving medication and much less stressful for the tortoise than trying to force its mouth open and give these things orally which could result in their accidental aspiration and subsequent pneumonia.

Would a sample of that discharge, which I have just shown you, be of any use? Wouldn’t it be difficult to diagnose the exact parasites without a good fecal or mucus sample.

 

[Speedy101]

You have until next Tuesday. At this point, follow your vet's recommendation. Healing is going to take a while. A few weeks to build him up; at minimum. If you quit treatment, the parasites will rebound with a vengence. Keep him warm and hydrated. Reptiles are tough. And so are you. Speedy is doing his best. Take a breather.

He is a tough little fella! His illness shocked me because it was so sudden, no indication of parasitic overload before the vomiting. Thank you, you’ve given me some hope.

 

[Speedy101]

More medication would be OK if it is indicated for treatment of some other organism which the current worming medication does not treat. The priority in my mind is to determine exactly what parasite(s) the tortoise has or does not have in its digestive tract and then treat it accordingly.

Tube feeding may be necessary to get medication(s) and a nutritional supplement into the tortoise, I would ask the vet to place a feeding tube into the tortoise's neck so you can administer the medication(s) and foods at home without necessitating numerous trips to the vet. This is more accurate for giving medication and much less stressful for the tortoise than trying to force its mouth open and give these things orally which could result in their accidental aspiration and subsequent pneumonia.

Also in relation to the feeding tube, I agree but isn’t putting him under anaesthesia going to be a big risk while he’s in this state?

 

[Roxanneizded]

Would a sample of that discharge, which I have just shown you, be of any use? Wouldn’t it be difficult to diagnose the exact parasites without a good fecal or mucus sample.

Put it into a clean jar and take it with you. Date it. Place it in the refrigerator. Most medications for tortoises are broad spectrum anyway. They cover a majority of offending parasites and other creepy crawlies. It looks like pus on that Q-tip. You can't always get a sample. Your vet made a good educated guess. Reptile medicine is limited. You got this, ye of little faith. Keep up the good work.

 

[Roxanneizded]

Put it into a clean jar and take it with you. Date it. Place it in the refrigerator. Most medications for tortoises are broad spectrum anyway. They cover a majority of offending parasites and other creepy crawlies. It looks like pus on that Q-tip. You can't always get a sample. Your vet made a good educated guess. Reptile medicine is limited. You got this, ye of little faith. Keep up the good work.

The vet will see the pus on the Q-tip. No harm done. I don't know what Speedy received as treatment. Get that info on Tuesday.

 

[Speedy101]

The vet will see the pus on the Q-tip. No harm done. I don't know what Speedy received as treatment. Get that info on Tuesday.

I will, I think I’ll ring the vet tomorrow to ask for advice about him before I cause him extra stress. Hopefully he can wait until Tuesday, I’ll see in the morning as it is late over here in UK. Thanks again for all your advice it’s been very helpful

 

[Roxanneizded]

I will, I think I’ll ring the vet tomorrow to ask for advice about him before I cause him extra stress. Hopefully he can wait until Tuesday, I’ll see in the morning as it is late over here in UK. Thanks again for all your advice it’s been very helpful

Goodnight. All you can do is your best.

 

[GMDVM]

Have we done blood work? At this time supportive care is most important until an accurate diagnosis is made. I agree that a feeding ( esophagostomy ) tube would be an excellent way to administer nutrition and medications at home without causing stress- placement is not a lengthy procedure, but always take an Xray after to assure the tube is in the correct spot.
So sorry that Speedy is ill- keep us posted.

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Thank you very much, his eyes are still bright and alert. Hopefully this is good sign.

that’s good....
Warm soaks
Try unflavored pedialite in his bath water.
What kind of meds (for worms ) did the doctor give you?
Maybe he is reacting to that?
How long till the worms will be gone?

 

[Chefdenoel10]

Okay thank you very much for your help, I will ring tomorrow and hope for the best.

I will be praying for speedy!
You have my support too!!! ???❤️?

 

[Speedy101]

that’s good....
Warm soaks
Try unflavored pedialite in his bath water.
What kind of meds (for worms ) did the doctor give you?
Maybe he is reacting to that?
How long till the worms will be gone?

Hi,
Next Tuesday is his last worming and I’m not sure if he is reacting to that but he was unwell vomiting before it. I don’t know what medicine was used, I shall ask next visit.

 

[Speedy101]

I will be praying for speedy!
You have my support too!!! ???❤️?

Thank you! ?

 

[Speedy101]

Have we done blood work? At this time supportive care is most important until an accurate diagnosis is made. I agree that a feeding ( esophagostomy ) tube would be an excellent way to administer nutrition and medications at home without causing stress- placement is not a lengthy procedure, but always take an Xray after to assure the tube is in the correct spot.
So sorry that Speedy is ill- keep us posted.

No blood work yet, just an X-ray which showed nothing out of sorts. I’m going to ring vet today to ask for advice on how we proceed. I think feeding tube is the right path aswell, if I can feed him myself I can keep his energy up perhaps. Thanks.

 

[Speedy101]

He’s still with us this morning, here he is in his reptoboost soak.