Sick Galapagos Tortoise

Turtle Love

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I am very happy to hear of her improvement. Please keep us updated.
Thank you. Just did a new update as a reply to my own original post. Hopefully, you can find it. But if not, she is slowly improving. She still appears a little dazed but is awake more, walks a little more, and is eager to eat everyday and excited to see me each day the way she was before she got sick. Improvement is gradual and slow, but it's happening!
 

Turtle Love

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Olddog, I'm so sorry that I didn't discover your post sooner! Thank you so much for the videos! Yes, Dr. Funk did a complete blood workup when he was here last summer. But much to my surprise (and disappointment), the University of FL did NOT so there are no thyroid values to compare. U of FL discovered Dutchess's enlarged thyroid during an ultrasound to check her heart. They saw a huge mass in front of her heart where they said her thyroid gland would be. The enlargement apparently somehow told them that her thyroid wasn't working. (I would have thought it would be atrophied if not working, but I'm not a vet). Anyway, once they determined that the problem was with her thyroid, they knew what to do for it. So no need for chemistry values I guess, although I wanted to know the values for past and future comparisons like you suggested. But the vet at U of FL didn't see a need and I think they were trying to save us money wherever possible.
 

Turtle Love

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Very glad to hear your Dutchess is doing well! Hypothyroidism is usually easily treated. Am I correct in assuming Dutchess had her thyoid checked by Dr. Funk's group and again at UG s few months ago. It would be very intresting to note her previous TSH and T4 levels compared to present should you care to share. I would have thought it would take years after normal studies to develope her severe myxedematous changes and am surprised it occured over a period of months. In any case it is a relief to learn she is hypothroid and is being effectively treated.

Linked is a video of how we usually move the females when more is required than opening a gate. I usually can load and transport up to about 230 lb by myself but some of the young males can be challanging. The leverage requirement is such that two persons make it easier and safer for moving larger tortoises. I have laid down sheets of old plywood over which to roll a cart but that is rarely necessary. The cart in the video is from Home Depo and admittedly we abuse same. Previously I have replaced axles and wheels on this type of cart due to my abuse of same. To unload, the cart is tipped into the truck or trailer and the slide controlled. We also have used ramps for getting the carts to a higher elevation. For the big males we prefer to use bribery. Occasionally we must use machinery.

Upon placing the tortoise at the front of the cart, I usually lift the front of the tortoise with one hand and pull the cart under the plastrum. Pancho does it slightly different in the video. The edge of the cart and the rear of the tortoise are rocked up. The tortoise must retract thier legs before being slid to the bottom of the cart. Takes longer to type than to do. This young male below is about the largest we move in a cart this size. Hope this will give you some ideas.
View attachment 260940
After watching the video, it changed to different videos. I kept scrolling but it never went back to the galap video. But when I tried clicking on the title, it took me to the same video on YouTube which I commented on and then saved. I'm technologically challenged, LOL!
Also, please read my reply to you above. Somehow, I don't think it posted to you and I didn't put "@" in front of your name so I don't know if you would receive a notification letting you know it's there. Don't think I'll ever figure out how to use this forum, lol.
 
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Olddog

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Olddog, I'm so sorry that I didn't discover your post sooner! Thank you so much for the videos! Yes, Dr. Funk did a complete blood workup when he was here last summer. But much to my surprise (and disappointment), the University of FL did NOT so there are no thyroid values to compare. U of FL discovered Dutchess's enlarged thyroid during an ultrasound to check her heart. They saw a huge mass in front of her heart where they said her thyroid gland would be. The enlargement apparently somehow told them that her thyroid wasn't working. (I would have thought it would be atrophied if not working, but I'm not a vet). Anyway, once they determined that the problem was with her thyroid, they knew what to do for it. So no need for chemistry values I guess, although I wanted to know the values for past and future comparisons like you suggested. But the vet at U of FL didn't see a need and I think they were trying to save us money wherever possible.


Thanks for sharing. Glad she is doing better! At biopsy, not all goiters are thyroid. Some tortoise's "goiter" has been found to be hypertrophied thymus of undetermined etiology. Re iodine supplementation (again, this is not a substitute for veterinary consultation but rather a sharing of experiences):

Many mistakes have been made over the years but, so far, have not seen goiter develop on tortoises raised on our grasses. That said, unscientific empiric supplementation has been done for years. Kelp has not been used as it is unregulated and not standardized in this country with varying iodine content. There are cautions in the veterinary literature regarding potential kelp toxicity. In humans, there are documented cases of forms of hypothyroidism related to selenium deficiency as well as iodine defiency in the literature. Selenium is also toxic in excess. Pastures grasses in Florida may be somewhat low in selenium but are reported to have adequate iodine. We empirically supplement iodine and selenium and other trace elements primarily in two ways. We periodically feed Purina Equine Senior feed (14% crude protein, 5.5% crude fat, 18% crude fiber, Iodine 3.30 ppm, Selenium 0.3 ppm) or similar (about $20/bag) as a supplement (not all will eat), especially when grass is sparse. Most commercial fortified feeds have small safe amounts of iodine, selenium, and trace elements.

Although controversial, as a treat, we also feed breads. Note this should only be done when the hindgut is full of grasses or hay (high fiber). Easily digested carbohydrates as breads should not be a significant portion of the diet. Breads are a significant source of iodine and selenium for humans in the US, content varying somewhat with the origin of the grain used for the flour. Most of the Galaps really seem to enjoy an occasional slice of bread.
IMG_1166.jpg

The newer low starch high fiber feeds from Masuri and Zoo Med in the 12% protein range should be a good feed/ supplement but long term data is lacking.
 

Turtle Love

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IMG_4189.JPG
Female, 25 yrs. Entire body swollen, worse in neck. She won't move or eat for 3 days. Same problem 6 months ago. Vet at University of FL in Gainesville thought low blood protein caused by inability of protein to pass thru gut into bloodstream causing body to compensate by leaking fluid. Flagyl helped but 6 months later problem returned. I'm wondering if it could be renal failure but don't know why vet didn't suggest renal problem. Flagyl isn't helping this time. She is very sick. Can anyone help?
New Update: My galop back in December:
 

KarenSoCal

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View attachment 271102
Picture displays above caption instead of below. Anyway, here is Dutchess today, 4-29-19:
She has a vet appointment at the University of FL on May 10th for her follow up visit. She should be easier to load than before because she can walk this time.
I'm not sure I've got this right. She was swollen in Dec, and she is well now?
What did you do to help her? Such a wonderful difference!
 

jsheffield

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