So, my fellow chelonilovers, I am a total wreck this week as my dearest, oldest, female 3Toed Sophia who I've lived with for 28 years, is on death's doorstep I fear.
She is at least 40 years old, and I suspect she's older.
She came out of hibernation this year as hungry and vivacious as ever, had a good spring, and suddenly, 3 days ago, presented with what looks like a severe respiratory/eye infection.
I almost called 911 when I saw her Saturday morning. Literally. She looked that bad! I got myself together and called a local small animal vet hospital and brought her in immediately.
Shaking, throughout the entire ordeal, I told the vet her symptoms:
-Sudden onset of respiratory/eye problems
(gummy eyes, nose bubbles, apparently strained breathing)
-Nesting behavior throughout June
-Thought she was kinda walking funny last week
-New discoloration of her carapace on her rear lower left side
-Swollen tail
-No appetite
-Lethargy
-Straining to pee in bath and not visibly drinking water
-Introduced a very healthy and curious new male 3Toed in May
-Last year she seemed to be eggbound this time of year, but she finally laid an egg
The vet diagnosed her as being eggbound after 2 X-Rays and told me the respiratory/eye problems are probably due to a Herpes Virus that flared up because of the stress of being eggbound and having a new male turtle in her habitat at the same time.
Sophia received a calcium injection to help calcify the eggs and induce contractions. I soak her 3 times a day for 1/2 hour and I've blocked off the other turtles (Juanita and Salvadore).
Vet suggested that Sophia hasn't been getting enough calcium in her diet and that could be the problem. I add calcium to their food, but only once a week, so calcium calcium calcium! She eats a lot of snails which I'm guessing have a fair amount of calcium, but esp. at her age I guess the calcium is key.
Getting a 2nd opinion tomorrow per the advice of a Zoo Herp Vet I was lucky enough to talk to. He suggested bloodwork and ultrasound. We talked about oxytocin injections but he was sceptical as to their efficacy.
Hate to stress her with a second vet visit, but if I don't do it, and the worst happens, I will always wonder.
Please if anyone has any input at all, I'd love to hear it. I love this turtle so much and I feel so lost watching her suffer.
Thanks y'all, sorry so long winded.
Thea
She is at least 40 years old, and I suspect she's older.
She came out of hibernation this year as hungry and vivacious as ever, had a good spring, and suddenly, 3 days ago, presented with what looks like a severe respiratory/eye infection.
I almost called 911 when I saw her Saturday morning. Literally. She looked that bad! I got myself together and called a local small animal vet hospital and brought her in immediately.
Shaking, throughout the entire ordeal, I told the vet her symptoms:
-Sudden onset of respiratory/eye problems
(gummy eyes, nose bubbles, apparently strained breathing)
-Nesting behavior throughout June
-Thought she was kinda walking funny last week
-New discoloration of her carapace on her rear lower left side
-Swollen tail
-No appetite
-Lethargy
-Straining to pee in bath and not visibly drinking water
-Introduced a very healthy and curious new male 3Toed in May
-Last year she seemed to be eggbound this time of year, but she finally laid an egg
The vet diagnosed her as being eggbound after 2 X-Rays and told me the respiratory/eye problems are probably due to a Herpes Virus that flared up because of the stress of being eggbound and having a new male turtle in her habitat at the same time.
Sophia received a calcium injection to help calcify the eggs and induce contractions. I soak her 3 times a day for 1/2 hour and I've blocked off the other turtles (Juanita and Salvadore).
Vet suggested that Sophia hasn't been getting enough calcium in her diet and that could be the problem. I add calcium to their food, but only once a week, so calcium calcium calcium! She eats a lot of snails which I'm guessing have a fair amount of calcium, but esp. at her age I guess the calcium is key.
Getting a 2nd opinion tomorrow per the advice of a Zoo Herp Vet I was lucky enough to talk to. He suggested bloodwork and ultrasound. We talked about oxytocin injections but he was sceptical as to their efficacy.
Hate to stress her with a second vet visit, but if I don't do it, and the worst happens, I will always wonder.
Please if anyone has any input at all, I'd love to hear it. I love this turtle so much and I feel so lost watching her suffer.
Thanks y'all, sorry so long winded.
Thea
