Hello,
I would like to ask you for advice regarding oophorectomy. Recently a vet recommended that I consider this option to provide relief for my 40+ Russian Tortoise. Each year she is diagnosed with ovarian follicular stasis. She has never laid eggs. She seems to be absorbing follicles after a while (the whole process is 1-2 months). When she is experiencing this stasis she is extremely active, and vigilant, eats a lot and is overall evaluated as in good health. She also becomes quite territorial, attempting to mount another female she shares her enclosure with.
My vet made a hypothesis that her follicles may be forming encasements (not visible on an x-ray though) and that they may be growing into her ovarian tubes causing adhesions.
Would it make sense to perform a laparoscopic oophorectomy on her or would it cause unnecessary trauma? Since this situation has always revolved on its own, shall I leave it as it is, or play it safe and subject her to surgery? I am worried as other than acting quite aggressively, she doesn’t seem to be unhappy or suffering and surgery would be associated with general anaesthesia and several weeks of recovery and pain management. What do you guys think? Has anyone here had their tortoise successfully neutered?
Thank you in advance.
I would like to ask you for advice regarding oophorectomy. Recently a vet recommended that I consider this option to provide relief for my 40+ Russian Tortoise. Each year she is diagnosed with ovarian follicular stasis. She has never laid eggs. She seems to be absorbing follicles after a while (the whole process is 1-2 months). When she is experiencing this stasis she is extremely active, and vigilant, eats a lot and is overall evaluated as in good health. She also becomes quite territorial, attempting to mount another female she shares her enclosure with.
My vet made a hypothesis that her follicles may be forming encasements (not visible on an x-ray though) and that they may be growing into her ovarian tubes causing adhesions.
Would it make sense to perform a laparoscopic oophorectomy on her or would it cause unnecessary trauma? Since this situation has always revolved on its own, shall I leave it as it is, or play it safe and subject her to surgery? I am worried as other than acting quite aggressively, she doesn’t seem to be unhappy or suffering and surgery would be associated with general anaesthesia and several weeks of recovery and pain management. What do you guys think? Has anyone here had their tortoise successfully neutered?
Thank you in advance.