AwwShucks
New Member
So on Wednesday, I took my tortoise into the vet for a beak trim. He's a ~7 year old Hermann's tortoise. The vet was an exotics vet, and after trimming called me to ask if she could do some bloodwork. She said that this was all part of his check-up and that his skin seemed a little thick, perhaps excess keratin? I didn't know that could be an issue. She just wanted to make sure everything was functioning properly.
I agreed, but soon after received a rather alarming call. The bloodwork had caused my tortoise's neck to swell significantly, more so on the side where he was pricked. It was bad enough for them to want to monitor him overnight, regardless of his continued energy/normal behavior.
Fast forward to today, I get another call with the results. Everything is normal, except his kidneys, which were barely in "bad shape". They basically said he was dehydrated, and I will admit he needs to be soaked more, he doesn't seem to drink water on his own. They also suggested wetting his food more.
In terms of diet, I have to find a way to get him to eat the Mazuri pellets, they're good for him, but he doesn't love them. Also, another mistake I made, he has been eating way too much fruit/sugary food. He used to get daily bell peppers and tomatoes. That's on me, and I am going to make an immediate change.
However, since all the numbers came back pretty much normal, they don't know why he had such an intense reaction to the bloodwork. Does anyone have any ideas? I am worried there might be something else going on that the bloodwork could not detect.
NOTE: His behavior is normal, he's active, and feisty, a cool little guy. Nothing strange.
I agreed, but soon after received a rather alarming call. The bloodwork had caused my tortoise's neck to swell significantly, more so on the side where he was pricked. It was bad enough for them to want to monitor him overnight, regardless of his continued energy/normal behavior.
Fast forward to today, I get another call with the results. Everything is normal, except his kidneys, which were barely in "bad shape". They basically said he was dehydrated, and I will admit he needs to be soaked more, he doesn't seem to drink water on his own. They also suggested wetting his food more.
In terms of diet, I have to find a way to get him to eat the Mazuri pellets, they're good for him, but he doesn't love them. Also, another mistake I made, he has been eating way too much fruit/sugary food. He used to get daily bell peppers and tomatoes. That's on me, and I am going to make an immediate change.
However, since all the numbers came back pretty much normal, they don't know why he had such an intense reaction to the bloodwork. Does anyone have any ideas? I am worried there might be something else going on that the bloodwork could not detect.
NOTE: His behavior is normal, he's active, and feisty, a cool little guy. Nothing strange.