Edema - at a complete loss

KellyP

New Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
United Kingdom
I am literally at a loss right now. My 11 month horsfield has had slightly pink urine for about 4 weeks and at same time results showed high worm count and then produced bloody urine in attached pic. (Sorry if TMI). Saw local Vet who treated her with pancur and consulted a specialist vet who said keep an eye on trine as may be infection or may be food related.

Anyway, two days ago I noticed Eden’s had suddenly appeared everywhere and drove 80 mins to a specialist vet who took bloods (took ages as so much fluid under skin) and X-rays (which didn’t show any blockages or stones etc), however didn’t do cross sectional X-rays as she needed sedating.

I paid for bloods to be rushed to lab by Royal Mail and was convinced to leave her there overnight where they would administer antibiotics and pain relief.

Get a phone call next morning to say swelling had eased (which is really hasn’t at all) and I could come and pick her up Later that day to give chance for bloods to come back. Drove the 80 min journey back again - only half the bloods had come back and basically told me she couldn’t provide me with any definitive advice or even a suggestion without second half of tests. Which won’t come back until at least 3rd Jan because of New year. I promptly said that a week was a blooming long time without specific treatment but basically said nothing she could do. Did say that certain things in blood was elevated (can’t remember what) that could indicate liver issues but equally said urea levels were at a level that could indicate dehydration alone.

Got sent home with an antibiotic (daily dose of doxycycline) and pain relief (tramadol) every other day and then to soak twice a day with reptoboost. Giving meds has been an adventure! And that’s where we are at. I have absolutely no idea, not even slightest hint of what is wrong and feel I have just brought her home to die. I have no idea if she is in pain. She is eating fine and drank in her baths today. I am going to get another worm count done after her pancur a few weeks ago. She is pooing well and urates are actually best colour have seen them in a few weeks - no red or pink tinge at all.

If she is in pain I would rather not prolong things but I have spent £400 and none the wiser as to what is wrong. I felt judged and spoken to in such a rude way I literally don’t know what to do yet.

Looking for any suggestions right now.IMG_1546119448.618203.jpgIMG_1546119467.070736.jpgIMG_1546119531.081029.jpg
 

Pastel Tortie

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 31, 2018
Messages
4,264
Location (City and/or State)
North Florida
My tortoise specific knowledge is extremely lacking (I'm more familiar with box turtles and mud turtles), but there are some other members I'd like to tag for their input.

@JoesMum is in the UK (Kent area) and is a wonderful resource on tortoise keeping. @Lyn W is in Wales. They may be able to help you with more (relatively) local suggestions and potentially feedback regarding specific veterinarians.

@Yvonne G -- Any thoughts?
 

Ben02

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2018
Messages
1,830
Location (City and/or State)
Brighton, Southcoast, UK
you have done all this for your beloved Tortoise, do not even feel like your being judged on what your doing as you are doing The best you can and it is the tort itself that matters, well done. Looking at the urates though, they look quite gritty. Dandelions sometimes turn urine pink in tortoises for a while but that looks a quite deep red color.

I hope everything goes well for you two:)
 

KellyP

New Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
United Kingdom
you have done all this for your beloved Tortoise, do not even feel like your being judged on what your doing as you are doing The best you can and it is the tort itself that matters, well done. Looking at the urates though, they look quite gritty. Dandelions sometimes turn urine pink in tortoises for a while but that looks a quite deep red color.

I hope everything goes well for you two:)

Thanks. We thought was dandelion to begin with but not had any for over a month now. I am just so worried she is in pain and I don’t know she is.
 

KellyP

New Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
United Kingdom
If she was in a lot of pain she would not be eating and would literally just sit there sleeping

Told so many different things - that they will eat when in pain, that they won’t eat when in pain. I literally don’t know what to do for the best right now.
 

mark1

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2015
Messages
1,932
Location (City and/or State)
ohio
very doubtful she's in pain and eating ………… if the urine color is better it may very well have been an intestinal or urinary tract infection that the antibiotic is getting ………. as long as she's eating i'd be pretty confident she feels ok ……..
 

Kasia

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2015
Messages
807
Location (City and/or State)
Poland
I am literally at a loss right now. My 11 month horsfield has had slightly pink urine for about 4 weeks and at same time results showed high worm count and then produced bloody urine in attached pic. (Sorry if TMI). Saw local Vet who treated her with pancur and consulted a specialist vet who said keep an eye on trine as may be infection or may be food related.

Anyway, two days ago I noticed Eden’s had suddenly appeared everywhere and drove 80 mins to a specialist vet who took bloods (took ages as so much fluid under skin) and X-rays (which didn’t show any blockages or stones etc), however didn’t do cross sectional X-rays as she needed sedating.

I paid for bloods to be rushed to lab by Royal Mail and was convinced to leave her there overnight where they would administer antibiotics and pain relief.

Get a phone call next morning to say swelling had eased (which is really hasn’t at all) and I could come and pick her up Later that day to give chance for bloods to come back. Drove the 80 min journey back again - only half the bloods had come back and basically told me she couldn’t provide me with any definitive advice or even a suggestion without second half of tests. Which won’t come back until at least 3rd Jan because of New year. I promptly said that a week was a blooming long time without specific treatment but basically said nothing she could do. Did say that certain things in blood was elevated (can’t remember what) that could indicate liver issues but equally said urea levels were at a level that could indicate dehydration alone.

Got sent home with an antibiotic (daily dose of doxycycline) and pain relief (tramadol) every other day and then to soak twice a day with reptoboost. Giving meds has been an adventure! And that’s where we are at. I have absolutely no idea, not even slightest hint of what is wrong and feel I have just brought her home to die. I have no idea if she is in pain. She is eating fine and drank in her baths today. I am going to get another worm count done after her pancur a few weeks ago. She is pooing well and urates are actually best colour have seen them in a few weeks - no red or pink tinge at all.

If she is in pain I would rather not prolong things but I have spent £400 and none the wiser as to what is wrong. I felt judged and spoken to in such a rude way I literally don’t know what to do yet.

Looking for any suggestions right now.View attachment 260847View attachment 260848View attachment 260849
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/teabag-pillow.144140/#post-1354182
For swelling I would recommend herb infused baths. Point to the vet to check kidney and liver functions. Good luck you both.
 

TammyJ

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2016
Messages
7,119
Location (City and/or State)
Jamaica
Hi, how is she doing now? You are certainly a very caring owner!
 
Top