He might be able to breed again. Not sure. He should at least be able to walk.
I'm not so sure about that, we will see. A few folks I have spoken with have males missing a leg in the back, they still 'hook up' with females. So, after a few months we'll see.I really feel bad about this. Darth was our only breeding male for this group. I feel that his breeding days are now numbered. Those girls are so big and strong and now he's an invalid. Of course, I feel bad for Darth, but the tortoise-keeper in me pines for the breeding aspect of it.
As I said before, this is fascinating stuff.FYI this is that leopard article citation.
Adam D. Naylor (2013) FEMORAL HEAD AND NECK EXCISION ARTHROPLASTY IN A LEOPARD TORTOISE (STIGMOCHELYS PARDALIS). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine: December 2013, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 982-989.
CASE SERIES/REPORTS
FEMORAL HEAD AND NECK EXCISION ARTHROPLASTY IN A LEOPARD TORTOISE (STIGMOCHELYS PARDALIS)
Adam D.Naylor, B.Vet.Med., M.Sc.W.A.H., Cert. A.V.P., M.R.C.V.S.
Abstract:
Cases of femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty are infrequently reported in reptiles, and details of surgical technique and clinical outcome in chelonia are lacking. An adult female leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis) was presented with chronic non–weight-bearing lameness of the left hind limb. Examination and radiography were consistent with coxofemoral luxation, and as a result of the chronic presentation, surgical intervention was recommended. A cranial approach to the joint via the prefemoral fossa afforded good surgical exposure. A depressed lytic acetabular lesion was noted during the procedure, postulated to be a result of abnormal wear from the luxated femoral head. A fiberglass prop was used during recovery to allow extension of the limb without full weight-bearing. Lameness persisted postoperatively, but limb usage significantly improved.
Key words: Arthroplasty, coxofemoral, Stigmochelys pardalis, leopard tortoise, luxation
Received: March 19, 2012
You shouldn't feel bad, Yvonne.I really feel bad about this. Darth was our only breeding male for this group. I feel that his breeding days are now numbered. Those girls are so big and strong and now he's an invalid. Of course, I feel bad for Darth, but the tortoise-keeper in me pines for the breeding aspect of it.
Any new information on Darth ?
Hi Mike, I did post how Darth is doing theoretically before you asked, but for all I know my response did not post as the time stamp suggests it might have. The staggered way posts get filtered through the "Spy" and "New Posts" can make following threads confusing. I guess it cuts out something bad, but ads nothing good.Any new information on Darth ?
He decided the papaya was good afterall.Hi Mike, I did post how Darth is doing theoretically before you asked, but for all I know my response did not post as the time stamp suggests it might have. The staggered way posts get filtered through the "Spy" and "New Posts" can make following threads confusing. I guess it cuts out something bad, but ads nothing good.
Anyhow. he is doing okay, a bit lethargic for lack of a better word. This morning he ate through two heads of Romaine laced with his pain killer and tossed with dry grasses. He ignored the papaya. His surgical area smells okay, so no initial indication of infection. Thanks for asking.
I think its a weigh boat filled with gauze and secured with resin to the shell.That will work. That should help keep his tushie up off the ground for a while. Is it just made out of hard plastic?
Holy Torts! ! ! ! !This is the peg.
View attachment 126770
His appetite has waned in any way, I can only tell you if there is good news in all of this that is foremost of it. He got his first antibiotic injection today, about 5 cc of liquid. With a slow and steady pressure it took about a minute to get it in him, but he offered no indication it was going on. If you plunge too fast it tends to be painful.