MARLASINGER
New Member
This might be long winded... My 4 year old female sulcata, Sasquatch stopped eating about 6 weeks ago and became very withdrawn. Normally she is active and will roam around the house for a few hours a day since it's wniter, not terribly cold... but she keeps busy. She no longer walks or bears weight. Long story, but we've been to the vet, urinalysis is normal, no blockage on x-ray but blood work indicates renal failure. (There are no parasites and no other infections going on, her brother is as healthy as can be..... ) I have been giving her subcutaneous injections of saline ( at the vets instruction) to keep her hydrated along with the usual soaks etc.... and yet her lab works is looking worse.
The vet has mentioned we could do a feeding tube and try some medications, in spite of no infections, honestly, I was in such a state when I got this news, I don't remember the names of meds.... this means anesthesia and all those risks, just to keep her holding on with no real answers and the hope that something will work.
The nearest tortoise specialist she tells me is in Houston....
so, big questions are...
1. Does anyone have experience with renal failure in a tortoise? Is it possible to reverse without being left with permanent kidney damage/ disease?
2. She was hatched with asymmetrical scutes.... could this be an indication of poor health from the start, maybe an indicator of chronic metabolic issues from the start? ( she has more pyramiding than her brother... his is minimal...and they've been raised together since day , same diet, supplements, etc)
I'm really devastated, she's always been such a sweetie so any in put would be helpful. I don't want to put her through hell for no reason but I'm not sure it's time to let go.
The vet has mentioned we could do a feeding tube and try some medications, in spite of no infections, honestly, I was in such a state when I got this news, I don't remember the names of meds.... this means anesthesia and all those risks, just to keep her holding on with no real answers and the hope that something will work.
The nearest tortoise specialist she tells me is in Houston....
so, big questions are...
1. Does anyone have experience with renal failure in a tortoise? Is it possible to reverse without being left with permanent kidney damage/ disease?
2. She was hatched with asymmetrical scutes.... could this be an indication of poor health from the start, maybe an indicator of chronic metabolic issues from the start? ( she has more pyramiding than her brother... his is minimal...and they've been raised together since day , same diet, supplements, etc)
I'm really devastated, she's always been such a sweetie so any in put would be helpful. I don't want to put her through hell for no reason but I'm not sure it's time to let go.