Hello everyone!
I am the proud keeper of 3 desert tortoises here in Arizona...I have had desert tortoises for my entire life.
I found this forum in my search for information on Mycoplasma & desert tortoises. Scar, our 30-35 year old male, wasn't coming out of hibernation and the others were out and doing fine...so, I pulled him out and sure enough he has an infection. Got him into the vet on Tuesday, and they said he needs 10 shots of Baytril - one every other day. This morning was my first attempt at giving that shot...and let's just say, it did not go so well. Anyway, I have been keeping him indoors in a big palstic tub...he is completely inactive, doesn't want to eat or drink and has not even brought his head out of his shell. On Monday when I pulled him out of his burrow and put him in the sun, he did come out and move around a little...but ever since the vet visit on Tuesday there has been zero activity. I think if I increase his temps that should help...can I do this with a heating pad, or does this need to be done with a heat lamp? What about a ceramic heat emitter? I already have one of those. Also, someone on another herp forum I visit said that I will need UVB light for him. Does he need this all day long, or ?? Also, the vet recommended I do warm water soaks to help loosen up the junk in his lungs...have your vets recommended this to you before? Some people that I have mentioned that to seem to think that sounds a little strange. It is a well respected herp-vet here in AZ, so I am inclined to trust him....Any info at all on this subject would be appreciated!!
Thanks!
Tamara & Scar
I am the proud keeper of 3 desert tortoises here in Arizona...I have had desert tortoises for my entire life.
I found this forum in my search for information on Mycoplasma & desert tortoises. Scar, our 30-35 year old male, wasn't coming out of hibernation and the others were out and doing fine...so, I pulled him out and sure enough he has an infection. Got him into the vet on Tuesday, and they said he needs 10 shots of Baytril - one every other day. This morning was my first attempt at giving that shot...and let's just say, it did not go so well. Anyway, I have been keeping him indoors in a big palstic tub...he is completely inactive, doesn't want to eat or drink and has not even brought his head out of his shell. On Monday when I pulled him out of his burrow and put him in the sun, he did come out and move around a little...but ever since the vet visit on Tuesday there has been zero activity. I think if I increase his temps that should help...can I do this with a heating pad, or does this need to be done with a heat lamp? What about a ceramic heat emitter? I already have one of those. Also, someone on another herp forum I visit said that I will need UVB light for him. Does he need this all day long, or ?? Also, the vet recommended I do warm water soaks to help loosen up the junk in his lungs...have your vets recommended this to you before? Some people that I have mentioned that to seem to think that sounds a little strange. It is a well respected herp-vet here in AZ, so I am inclined to trust him....Any info at all on this subject would be appreciated!!
Thanks!
Tamara & Scar