URGENT, need help. Please help and give advice

TamaraandMerl

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2020
Messages
34
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
CHE's are available at any Petco or Petsmart. I'd start with 100 watts. They run really hot, so you must use a ceramic socket with it. Check your dome hoods...they usually have ceramic. If it's bakelite (?sp), that won't work. You also need a thermostat to control the CHE's. I use these and they work well.


I already mentioned about the incandescent bulbs. If you absolutely don't have anyone who can send you some, you can order these. I've never used them, but they say incandescent, so ought to be OK. I guess they are specialty bulbs, so we can order them in CA. Any others, they won't ship them to here.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ORVSX6/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

You can use cypress mulch, coco coir, or orchid (fir) bark, or a combination of them. For any of those 3, you pour water into it and mix it up with your hands until it's nice and damp, but not flooded. Make sure your temps are above minimum with the extra humidity.
To cover your enclosure, we suggest something like this. With the shape of yours, you'll have to get creative to make it work. Search Amazon for 'portable greenhouse'.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LSFL2PY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I would try to get her eating more items. Mazuri and hay are good. If you go to the grocery store get endive or escarole, radicchio, mustard greens, bok choy. Take a look at kapidolofarms.com Will is a member here and many of us are using his dried items. I sprinkle them on top, but some of them you can use as a meal. Very worthwhile.

Why do you want an x-ray? As I said last night, I don't think she needs one. But I've been wrong before, so if you think the stress is worth it, that's up to you.

And be sure to carefully read Tom's care sheet. It explains things much better than I do.
We will improve her or his inside den and keep you updated with new lights and green house thingys. I’m not sure my mum is convinced there is some blockage and she’s pushing when she does her eye thing, but I trust you. I think we will wait a few days and see what happens. Added back in the Cyprus mulch and a grass pad, made sure to moisten the mulch and she’s back under the red light for now. I’m worried to turn if off and for her to be cold so until we replace the heat I think she needs to sleep with the red for now. I sent my whole family Toms care sheet, is there one for when they are older? It’s so detailed I read it all earlier, will refer back when needed! Will look into that website and thank you for all of the links:)
 

TamaraandMerl

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2020
Messages
34
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
Dehydrating some yellow zucchini, dandelion leafs, some romaine and some cactus pads. What do you guys think?
 

Attachments

  • EB80BCC9-EFC2-4F5E-88F2-805E89FC8D58.jpeg
    EB80BCC9-EFC2-4F5E-88F2-805E89FC8D58.jpeg
    1.2 MB · Views: 19

Yossarian

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2015
Messages
813
Location (City and/or State)
Wales
Looks like prolapse of the inner eyelid, I dont think that is caused by irritation from sand. Vet also mentioned prolapse of colon. Seems plausible this tort is in periodic acute pain for some reason. I think I would get an x-ray, could have eaten a foreign object or have a blockage, or could be something else, seems to be more than just stress from the new conditions. Im sorry if this has been asked, but does the tort roam the floor of your home?
 

KarenSoCal

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 8, 2017
Messages
5,749
Location (City and/or State)
Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
We will improve her or his inside den and keep you updated with new lights and green house thingys. I’m not sure my mum is convinced there is some blockage and she’s pushing when she does her eye thing, but I trust you. I think we will wait a few days and see what happens. Added back in the Cyprus mulch and a grass pad, made sure to moisten the mulch and she’s back under the red light for now. I’m worried to turn if off and for her to be cold so until we replace the heat I think she needs to sleep with the red for now. I sent my whole family Toms care sheet, is there one for when they are older? It’s so detailed I read it all earlier, will refer back when needed! Will look into that website and thank you for all of the links:)

I don't know of anything that her eyes would cause to push, but anything's possible. I agree that it certainly looks horrible!

There is an OTC eye drop called Vetericyn. Try to find it...it's just right to put on her eyes. I got mine at a tack and feed store. I have the gel version, but it doesn't matter. Get whatever you can. When she does the eye thing, you say she pushes? Do you actually see her bear down trying to make something come out?

20210102_161346.jpg

Yes, keep her under the red light until you get a new heating method, and keep her warm like Tom said in his post. The last thing she needs is an RI!

As she gets to be an adult, she will eventually move outside to live. Her temp will still need to stay above 80°, and humidity will still be desired, but not so easy to maintain. But she has a way to go to get to that stage.
 

TamaraandMerl

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2020
Messages
34
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
Looks like prolapse of the inner eyelid, I dont think that is caused by irritation from sand. Vet also mentioned prolapse of colon. Seems plausible this tort is in periodic acute pain for some reason. I think I would get an x-ray, could have eaten a foreign object or have a blockage, or could be something else, seems to be more than just stress from the new conditions. Im sorry if this has been asked, but does the tort roam the floor of your home?
We rescued her and not too sure about before. I agree, I think we will try and get an X-ray ASAP! Thank you!
 

TamaraandMerl

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2020
Messages
34
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
I don't know of anything that her eyes would cause to push, but anything's possible. I agree that it certainly looks horrible!

There is an OTC eye drop called Vetericyn. Try to find it...it's just right to put on her eyes. I got mine at a tack and feed store. I have the gel version, but it doesn't matter. Get whatever you can. When she does the eye thing, you say she pushes? Do you actually see her bear down trying to make something come out?

View attachment 314504

Yes, keep her under the red light until you get a new heating method, and keep her warm like Tom said in his post. The last thing she needs is an RI!

As she gets to be an adult, she will eventually move outside to live. Her temp will still need to stay above 80°, and humidity will still be desired, but not so easy to maintain. But she has a way to go to get to that stage.
Hi again,
When she does her eye thing she inverts her head and eyes and it does seem like pushing. She lifts up her back with her two legs and her front is lower, if that is bearing down I think that’s what she is doing. She will stay under the light and finding a new one ASAP! I think her eyes are healthy as they look clear when she isn’t doing that thing, it could be just how she pushes.. not sure- the vet gave us some eye drops I’ll send a picture of them only used twice as made her do the eye thing more. Working on getting a green house for her and making sure her indoor area is to the best for her health:)
 

Attachments

  • 7E72BCFE-6163-48E6-B96F-779F660F6AE5.jpeg
    7E72BCFE-6163-48E6-B96F-779F660F6AE5.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 18

queen koopa

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2018
Messages
754
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas Nevada
Looks like prolapse of the inner eyelid, I dont think that is caused by irritation from sand. Vet also mentioned prolapse of colon. Seems plausible this tort is in periodic acute pain for some reason. I think I would get an x-ray, could have eaten a foreign object or have a blockage, or could be something else, seems to be more than just stress from the new conditions. Im sorry if this has been asked, but does the tort roam the floor of your home?
Yes like when food passes by this foreign object in the body. ??
 

JMM

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2017
Messages
133
Location (City and/or State)
Worcester, MA
Hi again,
When she does her eye thing she inverts her head and eyes and it does seem like pushing. She lifts up her back with her two legs and her front is lower, if that is bearing down I think that’s what she is doing. She will stay under the light and finding a new one ASAP! I think her eyes are healthy as they look clear when she isn’t doing that thing, it could be just how she pushes.. not sure- the vet gave us some eye drops I’ll send a picture of them only used twice as made her do the eye thing more. Working on getting a green house for her and making sure her indoor area is to the best for her health:)
[/QUOTE

Hold off on the vetericyn drops and use the drops your vet prescribed. Get the x-ray and have the feces checked for parasites.
 

RussianRuby

New Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2020
Messages
6
Location (City and/or State)
Mansfield
Hi everyone.

Happy New Year. 3 weeks ago, me and my family rescued a sulcata from a family who mistreated her. What we know is that they fed her once a week, rice among other things. Bathed her once every two weeks and she lived outside in a sand pit. The day after we rescued her, I noticed that she was doing a weird eye thing (I’ll attach photo below) and thought that she could have an eye infection. So booked a vet appointment and took her. The vet said that she was pushing and her insides came outside and he pushed them back inside with his finger (not sure the correct terminology). She pooped for the first time and mentioned it was runnier than would like, he didn’t say anything about what to do and didn’t advise anything. After two days, of constant diarrhea and leaking along with the eye thing. It is dark brown, smelly and very watery. We came to the conclusion that they were all connected and took her back to the vet (for free this time after complaining about not actually getting any advisement and her getting worse) they advised a fecal exam to test for parasites then if clear to do an X-ray and a blood test. She hasn’t done anything remotely close to being able to classify for a fecal exam and she is suffering. We are going to try and book her for an X-ray tomorrow but need advice beforehand as scared and need some honest friendly turtle loving help. We have done research and think she could have some sort of bladder blockage, meaning that she could have to have surgery and if serious her shell will need operated on. What is the quality of life after a surgery like that? Has anyone been in a similar situation? Please help us? We have no idea what to do, she is around 2 years old and want to give her a quality life and a healthy one. Please help us make that possible and if you know anything please comment back to me! Thank you so much!

Please take her to a proper herp vet. here is a list....https://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/recommended_tortoise_vets_counties_a-g_205.asp

Also if you want to find out about parasites, I use https://wormcount.com/exotic-animals/
- you send off a sample of poop and you get a full email report in a matter of days. You can take the report to your proper herp vet and they will treat with the right products.

Check the forum for enclosure and dietary help. Temperatures, substrate and diet are all extremely important. The posters in these forums are more experienced than I, particularly when treating sick animals.

Good job on rescuing her! She deserves better than what she had. Thank you for doing your research and asking for help.
 

TamaraandMerl

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2020
Messages
34
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
Please take her to a proper herp vet. here is a list....https://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/recommended_tortoise_vets_counties_a-g_205.asp

Also if you want to find out about parasites, I use https://wormcount.com/exotic-animals/
- you send off a sample of poop and you get a full email report in a matter of days. You can take the report to your proper herp vet and they will treat with the right products.

Check the forum for enclosure and dietary help. Temperatures, substrate and diet are all extremely important. The posters in these forums are more experienced than I, particularly when treating sick animals.

Good job on rescuing her! She deserves better than what she had. Thank you for doing your research and asking for help.
Will use that website to find a new vet, thank you so much. So grateful to have found this forum and have the ability to ask such knowledgeable people! I appreciate it so much! Currently taking her for an X-ray. Will update the thread with results:)
 

zovick

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 17, 2013
Messages
3,387
Will use that website to find a new vet, thank you so much. So grateful to have found this forum and have the ability to ask such knowledgeable people! I appreciate it so much! Currently taking her for an X-ray. Will update the thread with results:)
I am quite curious to know the results of the X-ray exam. When is the appointment for the X-ray? All the pushing with no results and loose stools could possibly indicate a female tortoise with eggs inside who is trying to pass them rather than attempting to defecate or urinate.

Do you know if that tortoise has ever been kept with another one? Although even female tortoises which have never been with males sometimes develop eggs.
 

Chefdenoel10

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2018
Messages
3,162
Location (City and/or State)
New Jersey
Will use that website to find a new vet, thank you so much. So grateful to have found this forum and have the ability to ask such knowledgeable people! I appreciate it so much! Currently taking her for an X-ray. Will update the thread with results:)

Hello and welcome!!

sorry to add my two cents late but...
I am going through my own hell right now with a bladder stone.
Thankfully it passed finally but I just wanted to let you know...
(Depending on the size)
THERE IS A NEW SURGERY THAT DOES NOT GO THROUGH THE SHELL!!!!
They go through the back leg...
Make 1 incision and pull out the bladder
Then they make another cut to get to the stone!
they may have to break it down and take it out in pieces but that’s a lot better than waiting for a shell to heal!!!! Right!??!?
But let’s not go there yet...
Keep taking great care of this gorgeous tortoise and avoid GETTING stones at all.
(Wish I did)...
I will now post the video for you to see
And don’t worry there are a LOT of exotic vets that are learning the procedure.
(Thank god!)

wait... I’ll be back with the video in one minute . I have to find it first!! ?
 

Chefdenoel10

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2018
Messages
3,162
Location (City and/or State)
New Jersey
Hello and welcome!!

sorry to add my two cents late but...
I am going through my own hell right now with a bladder stone.
Thankfully it passed finally but I just wanted to let you know...
(Depending on the size)
THERE IS A NEW SURGERY THAT DOES NOT GO THROUGH THE SHELL!!!!
They go through the back leg...
Make 1 incision and pull out the bladder
Then they make another cut to get to the stone!
they may have to break it down and take it out in pieces but that’s a lot better than waiting for a shell to heal!!!! Right!??!?
But let’s not go there yet...
Keep taking great care of this gorgeous tortoise and avoid GETTING stones at all.
(Wish I did)...
I will now post the video for you to see
And don’t worry there are a LOT of exotic vets that are learning the procedure.
(Thank god!)

wait... I’ll be back with the video in one minute . I have to find it first!! ?

 

zovick

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Nov 17, 2013
Messages
3,387
Very nice surgery! This is a good vet.
 

TamaraandMerl

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2020
Messages
34
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
Thank you thank you! That’s the exact place we were looking at ourselves! Going to talk to them hopefully today
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,264
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Long daily warm soaks are the first step. Like an hour or too and keep it warm the whole time. The tortoise will walk incessantly. We call this the tortoise tread mill. Its like a hot walker for a horse. All that locomotion will get things in the GI tract moving. Hopefully. Put a space heater in the bathroom and soak in the slippery tub. Keep adding hot water as needed to keep the temperature up.

I would make spineless opuntia pads a major part of the diet ASAP. They are slimy when eaten and will lube up the GI tract. My tortoises always have slimy poops after eating them. You can find them at any Mexican grocery store like Vallarta or Tres Sierras.

Sometimes these things work and the blockage works itself loose.

Totally not your fault, but this is why we tell people NOT to house them on sand. I know you know that, but I want to make sure everyone reading knows it too. We have a lot of people here who read, but don't comment. Don't use sand for tortoise substrate people! THIS is why.
 

TamaraandMerl

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2020
Messages
34
Location (City and/or State)
Los Angeles
Long daily warm soaks are the first step. Like an hour or too and keep it warm the whole time. The tortoise will walk incessantly. We call this the tortoise tread mill. Its like a hot walker for a horse. All that locomotion will get things in the GI tract moving. Hopefully. Put a space heater in the bathroom and soak in the slippery tub. Keep adding hot water as needed to keep the temperature up.

I would make spineless opuntia pads a major part of the diet ASAP. They are slimy when eaten and will lube up the GI tract. My tortoises always have slimy poops after eating them. You can find them at any Mexican grocery store like Vallarta or Tres Sierras.

Sometimes these things work and the blockage works itself loose.

Totally not your fault, but this is why we tell people NOT to house them on sand. I know you know that, but I want to make sure everyone reading knows it too. We have a lot of people here who read, but don't comment. Don't use sand for tortoise substrate people! THIS is why.
Didn’t know this is what my 2021 would entail but I’m determined to mend her back to health. Thank you so much, she doesn’t enjoy her baths and I can see why it gets that name! Will update. The cactus pads seem like a great idea, the vet suggested cat laxative.. what do you think?
 

New Posts

Top