My Rocky isn’t well

[wellington]

Hard to say by just a pic or video but he looks good.

 

[Rockysmum]

Hard to say by just a pic or video but he looks good.

While I am maintaining his temps should I continue to wake him to soak him and encourage him to bask and eat or just leave him be?

 

[wellington]

I would soak every day. In the morning if you can and then put him right by the food.

 

[Rockysmum]

So I’ve moved his cave to the middle of his enclosure and his log hide to the left of that. I have continued to soak him and during this time he has a small drink of his water and he wee’s and poo’s. His new flood bulb came yesterday and temps have maintained 40degreeC in his basking end and around 26 in cool end. He eats a little after his bath (spring greens and lambs head lettuce) but then goes in his hide where he stays all day. He is also trying to burrow in his cool end but I’ve been moving him to warmer bit? @TammyJ @wellington @Yvonne G
Am I doing things right. I am worried about him.
Still have vet visit booked for Monday.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello!
As I can tell, you do anything right. There is no need to force him to stay in the warm end (as it's 26C in the coldest part day and night, this is fine). He is sick and needs some time to recover, so lower appetite and activity are expected for a few days.

Is his poo looking normal (firm, no goo)?

Can you post a photo how enclosure looks now?

 

[wellington]

Hello!
As I can tell, you do anything right. There is no need to force him to stay in the warm end (as it's 26C in the coldest part day and night, this is fine). He is sick and needs some time to recover, so lower appetite and activity are expected for a few days.

Is his poo looking normal (firm, no goo)?

Can you post a photo how enclosure looks now?

Agree with this.

 

[Rockysmum]

Hello!
As I can tell, you do anything right. There is no need to force him to stay in the warm end (as it's 26C in the coldest part day and night, this is fine). He is sick and needs some time to recover, so lower appetite and activity are expected for a few days.

Is his poo looking normal (firm, no goo)?

Can you post a photo how enclosure looks now?

He’s act

Hello!
As I can tell, you do anything right. There is no need to force him to stay in the warm end (as it's 26C in the coldest part day and night, this is fine). He is sick and needs some time to recover, so lower appetite and activity are expected for a few days.

Is his poo looking normal (firm, no goo)?

Can you post a photo how enclosure looks now?

hes actually just come out on his own and ate loads and had a couple of

Hello!
As I can tell, you do anything right. There is no need to force him to stay in the warm end (as it's 26C in the coldest part day and night, this is fine). He is sick and needs some time to recover, so lower appetite and activity are expected for a few days.

Is his poo looking normal (firm, no goo)?

Can you post a photo how enclosure looks now?

he’s actually just come out on his own and had a load to eat and drank quite a few times from his water dish. He is roaming around and seems alert 🤞 he came to me when I opened his door for a little chin scratch too

 

[zovick]

He’s act

hes actually just come out on his own and ate loads and had a couple of

he’s actually just come out on his own and had a load to eat and drank quite a few times from his water dish. He is roaming around and seems alert 🤞 he came to me when I opened his door for a little chin scratch too

It sounds as though progress is being made. Good luck!

 

[TammyJ]

That's great! Stay with us here where you will always get the best available help! Glad he seems to be coming around.

 

[Rockysmum]

It’s been a little over a week since posting my concern and also maintaining temps within Rocky’s enclosure. He still is tweeting like a baby bird, no bubbles or mucus from mouth or nose. Eating well drinking well and expelling waste daily. In between this though he just retreats to his cave and sleeps. I do still have vet appointment booked for today but I’m dubious about taking him reading other people bad experiences. The vet is a reptile specialist but I am a new tortoise owner.
Advice please

 

[EppsDynasty]

It’s been a little over a week since posting my concern and also maintaining temps within Rocky’s enclosure. He still is tweeting like a baby bird, no bubbles or mucus from mouth or nose. Eating well drinking well and expelling waste daily. In between this though he just retreats to his cave and sleeps. I do still have vet appointment booked for today but I’m dubious about taking him reading other people bad experiences. The vet is a reptile specialist but I am a new tortoise owner.
Advice please

It is common when a Vet has no clue for them to prescribe Vitamin Injections. Do not pay for this and ask why? If they do not give you an adequate answer .... Now ya know they are not a good Vet. Another thing they try to trick you into is Hydration, shots of saline water ...why? You can soak him and get the same results. Not a good Vet again. The tort and vet relationship in our world sucks, they're are a lot of vets that are "Specialist" and have not a clue what they are doing with torts. It's more of a try and see type of deal, try the vet with a keen ear for details that make sense if there isn't any bye bye vet look for another. I am so happy that the info you have received from here is working, this is an example of someone that knows what they are talking about. Good luck and hang around a while.

 

[Rockysmum]

It is common when a Vet has no clue for them to prescribe Vitamin Injections. Do not pay for this and ask why? If they do not give you an adequate answer .... Now ya know they are not a good Vet. Another thing they try to trick you into is Hydration, shots of saline water ...why? You can soak him and get the same results. Not a good Vet again. The tort and vet relationship in our world sucks, they're are a lot of vets that are "Specialist" and have not a clue what they are doing with torts. It's more of a try and see type of deal, try the vet with a keen ear for details that make sense if there isn't any bye bye vet look for another. I am so happy that the info you have received from here is working, this is an example of someone that knows what they are talking about. Good luck and hang around a while.

Thanks but he is still making the wheezing/tweeting noise, but that’s his only symptom. And I’m just wanting to do my best for him x

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

It's hard to tell... If you are lucky to find a good vet - you may get relevant prescriptions (like antibiotics) or just a bill of health with some adequate care advice. If the vet isn't as good then you may get unnecessary medications (the same antibiotics, but without a real reason), harmful medications (like vitamin A shots) and bad care advice.

In any case, without adjusting his environment any treatment will fail. And with the improvements you've made he can recover on his own. I would postpone the vet visit - your guy is getting better and condition is not severe. Chances high that in a couple of weeks he will recover. However, if he will get worse (e.g. lack of appetite, lethargy, nasal discharge and such) - go to the vet as soon as possible.

 

[Rockysmum]

It's hard to tell... If you are lucky to find a good vet - you may get relevant prescriptions (like antibiotics) or just a bill of health with some adequate care advice. If the vet isn't as good then you may get unnecessary medications (the same antibiotics, but without a real reason), harmful medications (like vitamin A shots) and bad care advice.

In any case, without adjusting his environment any treatment will fail. And with the improvements you've made he can recover on his own. I would postpone the vet visit - your guy is getting better and condition is not severe. Chances high that in a couple of weeks he will recover. However, if he will get worse (e.g. lack of appetite, lethargy, nasal discharge and such) - go to the vet as soon as possible.

Thank you Alex. He is sleeping a lot but that seems to be his norm? I’m not sure what is normal for a tortoise his age (we think 5 years) and what is not. He has his bath early morning, eats straight after that, strolls around a little and goes back to bed for the rest of the day more or less.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

This could be because he is weakened because of sickness. Or he is hiding from the heat, for example. Let's review his enclosure after all the changes to be sure: fresh photo, temperatures in the cold part/middle/hot parts and directly under the heaters and humidity.

 

[Rockysmum]

This could be because he is weakened because of sickness. Or he is hiding from the heat, for example. Let's review his enclosure after all the changes to be sure: fresh photo, temperatures in the cold part/middle/hot parts and directly under the heaters and humidity.

The reading on the left probe is his cool end the reading on the right is his basking end. His cave is where he tends to retreat to which is located in his cool end. He has another wooden hide situated in the middle. I have been wetting the corners of his enclosure and misting a little daily. He has a water bowl in there and his food. Today I fed pellets as we are out of weeds or greens until I go for a walk later this afternoon. I have a new Arcadia T5 12% 24w UVB light arriving today which I plan on securing to the top of his enclosure instead of the one that’s on the side. Lost at what else I can do for him (aware that he needs a bigger enclosure however he can roam my conservatory for exercise as it’s secure and gets very warm in there.

 

[EppsDynasty]

This could be because he is weakened because of sickness. Or he is hiding from the heat, for example. Let's review his enclosure after all the changes to be sure: fresh photo, temperatures in the cold part/middle/hot parts and directly under the heaters and humidity.

Ya don't get much better customer service than this.
Right on @Alex and the Redfoot

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

The reading on the left probe is his cool end the reading on the right is his basking end. His cave is where he tends to retreat to which is located in his cool end. He has another wooden hide situated in the middle. I have been wetting the corners of his enclosure and misting a little daily. He has a water bowl in there and his food. Today I fed pellets as we are out of weeds or greens until I go for a walk later this afternoon. I have a new Arcadia T5 12% 24w UVB light arriving today which I plan on securing to the top of his enclosure instead of the one that’s on the side. Lost at what else I can do for him (aware that he needs a bigger enclosure however he can roam my conservatory for exercise as it’s secure and gets very warm in there.

Everything looks good so far. Just a couple of questions/suggestions:
1. Can you get a hygrometer (hardware stores should have inexpensive digital thermometers/hygrometers under 10 pounds)? We don't know what humidity is now (too dry as too humid is not good).
2. You can get him a terracotta saucer to drink and soak. I would put it in the middle, where the wooden ramp is. The ramp can be then moved to the corner of the basking area.
3. New UVB lamp is a welcome addition. Place it over the basking zone, distance from substrate - minimum 16-18 inches. Set it on timer for 4 hours around midday.
4. That's great that he can take a walk in the conservatory (and perhaps in the garden). I see no problem having a smaller indoors enclosure if he can exercise daily. Just ensure he doesn't get too cold there.
5. Maybe you can install a socket for ceramic heat emitter with a thermostat over the cold part of the enclosure so it's automatically controlled.

I'm not certain if we can do anything else here. You are doing a great job with taking care of him. I suggest to wait a few days and watch for any changes.

 

[Rockysmum]

Everything looks good so far. Just a couple of questions/suggestions:
1. Can you get a hygrometer (hardware stores should have inexpensive digital thermometers/hygrometers under 10 pounds)? We don't know what humidity is now (too dry as too humid is not good).
2. You can get him a terracotta saucer to drink and soak. I would put it in the middle, where the wooden ramp is. The ramp can be then moved to the corner of the basking area.
3. New UVB lamp is a welcome addition. Place it over the basking zone, distance from substrate - minimum 16-18 inches. Set it on timer for 4 hours around midday.
4. That's great that he can take a walk in the conservatory (and perhaps in the garden). I see no problem having a smaller indoors enclosure if he can exercise daily. Just ensure he doesn't get too cold there.
5. Maybe you can install a socket for ceramic heat emitter with a thermostat over the cold part of the enclosure so it's automatically controlled.

I'm not certain if we can do anything else here. You are doing a great job with taking care of him. I suggest to wait a few days and watch for any changes.

View attachment 368899
Bathing him this morning I noticed it looks like he has 3 nostrils??

 

[Rockysmum]

Everything looks good so far. Just a couple of questions/suggestions:
1. Can you get a hygrometer (hardware stores should have inexpensive digital thermometers/hygrometers under 10 pounds)? We don't know what humidity is now (too dry as too humid is not good).
2. You can get him a terracotta saucer to drink and soak. I would put it in the middle, where the wooden ramp is. The ramp can be then moved to the corner of the basking area.
3. New UVB lamp is a welcome addition. Place it over the basking zone, distance from substrate - minimum 16-18 inches. Set it on timer for 4 hours around midday.
4. That's great that he can take a walk in the conservatory (and perhaps in the garden). I see no problem having a smaller indoors enclosure if he can exercise daily. Just ensure he doesn't get too cold there.
5. Maybe you can install a socket for ceramic heat emitter with a thermostat over the cold part of the enclosure so it's automatically controlled.

I'm not certain if we can do anything else here. You are doing a great job with taking care of him. I suggest to wait a few days and watch for any changes.

View attachment 368899
Bathing him this morning I noticed it looks like he has 3 nostrils??