Help Needed :( (ate a piece of tile)

[lisdndo]

Hello 👋

This is my first time on this forum and first time posting something. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and helpless for my 1.5 year old sulcata tortoise which is why I'm here. She swallowed a piece of broken tile a few days ago when she escaped her enclosed outdoor area. I always monitor her roaming in the backyard but on that day I stepped away to pick up my child from school and when we returned we caught her roaming in an area I don't like her walking around because there is usually some small rocks and things she can eat. Well last night she vomited a lot and during one of the times she died a piece of tile came out. I had no idea she had eaten it but I saved it to show the vet. Today I called the vet and they asked me to rush her in to check her out since she had been super lethargic all morning. They did an x-ray and it showed another piece inside, about the same size as the one she expelled the night before. I was given three options, all which are not favorable 😭 The vet called another specialist to ask for a second opinion and that specialist recommended we wait to see if the tortoise can pass it naturally. It has been 24 hours since she last ate and so far she's just wanting to sleep. I did soak her in today and I saw her drink water but we couldn't get her to eat 😞 Has anyone had a tortoise that ate foreign objects and passed it without complications? We will take her back in two days for another x-ray to see if the piece is moving along before deciding on one of the options. From all three I'm considering surgery or allowing them to administer a medication to help her pass it. I was made clear that both of those actions can be deadly which is heartbreaking because we love this tortoise so much 😭 I'm sharing photos of the piece that came out of her for reference. Thank you to whoever reads this and provides feedback or information, even comfort and encouragement will be greatly appreciated 😞

 

[wellington]

Share a pic of the tortoise so we know the size of her
I would feed her romaine or head lettuce only until the tile passes It should give her diarrhea or mushy poops and it might help it pass. I would also keep soaking daily in a large container she can move around in and make the water a little deeper than normal. About half way up the shell. Keep water and her warm and do not let her temps in her enclosure day and night go below 85 for now. She should be in a closed chamber with 80% humidity.

@Yvonne G may have other ideas.

 

[lisdndo]

Share a pic of the tortoise so we know the size of her
I would feed her romaine or head lettuce only until the tile passes It should give her diarrhea or mushy poops and it might help it pass. I would also keep soaking daily in a large container she can move around in and make the water a little deeper than normal. About half way up the shell. Keep water and her warm and do not let her temps in her enclosure day and night go below 85 for now. She should be in a closed chamber with 80% humidity.

@Yvonne G may have other ideas.

Thank you so much for responding 🙏🥺 Here is a photo of her. Right now is her bedtime but I'm thinking of waking her up to soak her one more time. During the earlier soak I heard her pushing but nothing came out.

 

[wellington]

If she strains to poop, take her for a car ride if soaking and lettuces don't help. They always poop on a car ride.
Keep us posted.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Poor baby, I hope she's able to pass this safely. Maybe some mineral oil to help lube things up too.

 

[lisdndo]

If she strains to poop, take her for a car ride if soaking and lettuces don't help. They always poop on a car ride.
Keep us posted.

Oh thank you very much for this tip! I will do it tomorrow 🙏

 

[lisdndo]

Poor baby, I hope she's able to pass this safely. Maybe some mineral oil to help lube things up too.

Thank you so much, I hope she can pass it with ease or without a lot of pain. I was told that if she naturally passes the worst she could feel is a little discomfort for a few days but that it would go away. I hope she can poop soon. I'll try once more tomorrow to get her to eat before taking her for a ride to maybe stimulate her bowel movement. Is it safe to give tortoises mineral oil?🤞🥺

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Thank you so much, I hope she can pass it with ease or without a lot of pain. I was told that if she naturally passes the worst she could feel is a little discomfort for a few days but that it would go away. I hope she can poop soon. I'll try once more tomorrow to get her to eat before taking her for a ride to maybe stimulate her bowel movement. Is it safe to give tortoises mineral oil?🤞🥺

I hope she passes it. The mineral oil is safe. Just add a few drops to her lettuce.

 

[Tom]

Hello 👋

This is my first time on this forum and first time posting something. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and helpless for my 1.5 year old sulcata tortoise which is why I'm here. She swallowed a piece of broken tile a few days ago when she escaped her enclosed outdoor area. I always monitor her roaming in the backyard but on that day I stepped away to pick up my child from school and when we returned we caught her roaming in an area I don't like her walking around because there is usually some small rocks and things she can eat. Well last night she vomited a lot and during one of the times she died a piece of tile came out. I had no idea she had eaten it but I saved it to show the vet. Today I called the vet and they asked me to rush her in to check her out since she had been super lethargic all morning. They did an x-ray and it showed another piece inside, about the same size as the one she expelled the night before. I was given three options, all which are not favorable 😭 The vet called another specialist to ask for a second opinion and that specialist recommended we wait to see if the tortoise can pass it naturally. It has been 24 hours since she last ate and so far she's just wanting to sleep. I did soak her in today and I saw her drink water but we couldn't get her to eat 😞 Has anyone had a tortoise that ate foreign objects and passed it without complications? We will take her back in two days for another x-ray to see if the piece is moving along before deciding on one of the options. From all three I'm considering surgery or allowing them to administer a medication to help her pass it. I was made clear that both of those actions can be deadly which is heartbreaking because we love this tortoise so much 😭 I'm sharing photos of the piece that came out of her for reference. Thank you to whoever reads this and provides feedback or information, even comfort and encouragement will be greatly appreciated 😞

Yes, they can pass foreign objects and they often do without incident, but sometimes they don't.

Yes, mineral oil is safe and might help. I have a 10 inch metal cannula with a 60cc luer lock syringe. When I suspect foreign body ingestion or impaction, I will shoot a bunch down the throat, and then a bunch way up the cloaca. I've had two tortoise vets demonstrate and teach me how to do this correctly, and another tortoise mentor that reminds me of any details when I have questions.

Does your tortoise eat opuntia? That works well as a lube too.

Some percentage of people do not need to be told to fix their enclosure after an escape like this, but some percentage do. Since I don't know where you fall in that spectrum, I'll play it safe and tell you: Fix your enclosure so your tortoise can't escape again. Please don't take that as an insult. I lost count long ago of the people who have had multiple escapes and tell the stories as if it is somehow cute or funny. And eventually something bad happens. I'm hoping you are one of those people who learn the FIRST time. I commend you for at least having an outdoor enclosure and realizing that the tortoise shouldn't be roaming loose. Many people don't understand that. I'm glad that you do.

I hope your tortoise makes it. Wishing you the best of luck.

 

[lisdndo]

I hope she passes it. The mineral oil is safe. Just add a few drops to her lettuce.

I appreciate this tip, I will give it a try 🙏🤞

 

[lisdndo]

Yes, they can pass foreign objects and they often do without incident, but sometimes they don't.

Yes, mineral oil is safe and might help. I have a 10 inch metal cannula with a 60cc luer lock syringe. When I suspect foreign body ingestion or impaction, I will shoot a bunch down the throat, and then a bunch way up the cloaca. I've had two tortoise vets demonstrate and teach me how to do this correctly, and another tortoise mentor that reminds me of any details when I have questions.

Does your tortoise eat opuntia? That works well as a lube too.

Some percentage of people do not need to be told to fix their enclosure after an escape like this, but some percentage do. Since I don't know where you fall in that spectrum, I'll play it safe and tell you: Fix your enclosure so your tortoise can't escape again. Please don't take that as an insult. I lost count long ago of the people who have had multiple escapes and tell the stories as if it is somehow cute or funny. And eventually something bad happens. I'm hoping you are one of those people who learn the FIRST time. I commend you for at least having an outdoor enclosure and realizing that the tortoise shouldn't be roaming loose. Many people don't understand that. I'm glad that you do.

I hope your tortoise makes it. Wishing you the best of luck.

Thank you for this information Tom 🙏 I've never heard of opuntia before but I am going to consider it. Is this something that a vet can sell to me or do I just buy all the supplies online? As for the enclosure, it really is as secured as can be and a safe one too but I discovered how she made it out. I have since reinforced that corner and the entire parameter. I don't take it as an insult, I appreciate the feedback and the reminder. I agree, I've never been a fan of letting mine roam around without supervision (I will literally stand next to her and follow her around if I let her roam in parts of the backyard or even in the front lawn). Okay I'll give this a try and hope for the best. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for the tips/information 🥺🤞

 

[lisdndo]

Thank you for this information Tom 🙏 I've never heard of opuntia before but I am going to consider it. Is this something that a vet can sell to me or do I just buy all the supplies online? As for the enclosure, it really is as secured as can be and a safe one too but I discovered how she made it out. I have since reinforced that corner and the entire parameter. I don't take it as an insult, I appreciate the feedback and the reminder. I agree, I've never been a fan of letting mine roam around without supervision (I will literally stand next to her and follow her around if I let her roam in parts of the backyard or even in the front lawn). Okay I'll give this a try and hope for the best. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for the tips/information 🥺🤞

Oh I just looked up opuntia and yes, she actually does eat that! I'm sorry, I didn't realize it's prickly pear. Believe it or not I had in mind to check out a local nursery or even Sprouts to see if they have any in stock that I can grab to give to her (or cactus). Thanks so much again 🙏

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Oh I just looked up opuntia and yes, she actually does eat that! I'm sorry, I didn't realize it's prickly pear. Believe it or not I had in mind to check out a local nursery or even Sprouts to see if they have any in stock that I can grab to give to her (or cactus). Thanks so much again 🙏

Just in case, opuntia cactus pads (not fruit) have laxative effect.

 

[lisdndo]

Just in case, opuntia cactus pads (not fruit) have laxative effect.

Noted, thank you! I'll grab some today. I just checked on her and she's very responsive when I talk to her and is moving her head but still slightly in her shell resting. I'll give her time to get up, this is really early for her in the day anyway.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Noted, thank you! I'll grab some today. I just checked on her and she's very responsive when I talk to her and is moving her head but still slightly in her shell resting. I'll give her time to get up, this is really early for her in the day anyway.

I hope, everything's gonna be fine.

I wish her quick recovery and happy birthday to you! 🎂

 

[lisdndo]

I hope, everything's gonna be fine.

I wish her quick recovery and happy birthday to you! 🎂

Thank you so much Alex, I appreciate this 🙏 I had planned to spend my birthday in the garden with my tortoise instead I'm finding it very difficult to do anything because I'm very worried for her. She is still very responsive when I talk to her and I caught a yawn and some head stretches but she's still resting. I've gathered things that everyone recommended, I'm just waiting for her to get up for the day before trying it out. The best birthday gift would be for her to recover and live a long life 🥺🤞❤️

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

That would be indeed the great gift. And yes, tortoises are great listeners

I keep my fingers crossed, too

 

[lisdndo]

That would be indeed the great gift. And yes, tortoises are great listeners

I keep my fingers crossed, too

We're encouraging her the best way we can by telling her that she will feel better soon and that she's brave and can do this 🤞 I know it sounds crazy but we talk to the tortoise and love her very much. She's truly part of our family and has been such a gift to us from be moment she entered our lives. I hope she feels the love we have for her and pulls through 🐢 She has been moving stretching her head and neck a lot by now, I'll be putting her in a warm bath soon and am thinking outside in the sunshine. Perhaps that will cheer her up 🌞

 

[zolasmum]

We're encouraging her the best way we can by telling her that she will feel better soon and that she's brave and can do this 🤞 I know it sounds crazy but we talk to the tortoise and love her very much. She's truly part of our family and has been such a gift to us from be moment she entered our lives. I hope she feels the love we have for her and pulls through 🐢 She has been moving stretching her head and neck a lot by now, I'll be putting her in a warm bath soon and am thinking outside in the sunshine. Perhaps that will cheer her up 🌞

It isn't crazy at all to talk to your tortoise - I do the same, and so do many people on this forum. I really feel for you. Please keep us informed about how she gets on.
Good luck and very best wishes from Angie.

 

[Sarah2020]

Thank you so much Alex, I appreciate this 🙏 I had planned to spend my birthday in the garden with my tortoise instead I'm finding it very difficult to do anything because I'm very worried for her. She is still very responsive when I talk to her and I caught a yawn and some head stretches but she's still resting. I've gathered things that everyone recommended, I'm just waiting for her to get up for the day before trying it out. The best birthday gift would be for her to recover and live a long life 🥺🤞❤️

Feed it what is suggested and hopefully it will get pushed through and soaks will help. Happy Birthday 🍰🎂🐢