Need to pick some brains for help.

Mstrturtle

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Greetings, We need to pick some brains...we and our tortoise vet have a dilemma and we need possible answers. Crystal is a 35 year old, 65 pound Sulcatta that has lived in our household over 20 years. Her prior history was as traveling zoo " throw away " 15 year old that came into rescue. Her growth was dramatically stunted due to starvation.
Until Saturday Crystal showed excellent health, active and eating well. Her normal routine is to "eliminate" once in the morning and then graze, sun and wander most of the day. Saturday her habits changed. She experienced "pooing" ever hour on the hour from seven am. till 11:30 am.. with vocalization of pain and gas..The stool varied in consistency from firm and well shaped to "mashed potatoe bulk texture". It was noted that her stool was exceptional smelly and not of normal oder. Excessive pee was also noted. No discoloration, blood show or parasites.
She has no eye or nasal discharge, no wheezing, no parasites, no swelling of limbs, no limping, No dietary changes were made. Since Saturday her activitnes have all stopped, No eliminating, no eating , no drinking, no walking around with exception of moving in and out of her heat and basking sources. She is however, very alert, not withdrawn or head resting. She was too dense to reliablely read her X-ray but no blockage is suspected. In house bloodwork showed no evidence of disease or lackings. We are awaiting additional bloodwork ups that were shipped out. A CT scan is on hold. It is feared the any type of sedation will have a negative consequences due to her weakened state. Supportive care has been daily soakings and increased temperatures. We are into Day 5. We and the vet are struggling for answers. Can anyone help ? This big girl has been with us many years with never an issue. This came on so fast for such a slow and steady older girl.
 
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Hutsie B

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wow, so sorry to hear your girl is sick. Hopefully added heat can help and that this will pass. I have no suggestions or knowledge enough to give any, but just wishes for this to pass soon and get your girl back to her usual habits.
 

Hutsie B

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could she be egg bound?
 

wellington

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For additional supportive care I would add piedialyte to the soaking water and maybe some puréed baby food carrots.
@Yvonne G may have some ideas.
Good luck, keep us posted and sure hope it's nothing.
 

Tom

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Hello and welcome.

What does she normally eat?
How is she normally housed in winter there? What size enclosure, what temps, and what heating and lighting equipment?
What is the normal soaking routine?
 

Mstrturtle

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Thank you. She is housed as a free roam in the house. She has two areas she uses for both basking and heat . One is a overhead. One is a heated floor. Ambience House temps are maintained at 75 to accommodate other animals in the household. This has been successful for the past 20 years along with the other tortoise. In the winter , She is on a rotating diet of a specialty tortoise pellet and fresh green and vegitables. It was started up in October. She is a free roam outdoor grazer from April to October. In the summer she soaks at will on our lake shore. In the winter she is soaked once a week. There has been no change in behavior. Alert but not active or eating.
 

Mstrturtle

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We questioned that with the vet. He is inclined to believe no . She has shown no interest or behaviors suggesting she is in esterus.
 

Mstrturtle

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Just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions. Crystal has turned the corner and began eating again . Now we wait for a pee and poop. Her blood panels showed now remarkable issues. Her liver enzymes were slightly elevated but that has been noted on her previous wellness checks over the years. We have Ceftazidime injections being stored in the freezer in the event she suddenly relapses. With no clear shows on her bloodwork if she relapses we are going to suspect some type of infection in the gut and be proactive. Have a Merry Christmas ...Crystals mom
 

Yvonne G

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Is it possible she ate something off the floor that didn't agree with her? I don't remember - did you have x-rays?
 

wellington

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What does soaking with some piedialyte help?
Helps with dehydration, and any lost minerals. Back about 5 years or so an experienced member used it with good results. Have seen more good results since. With any sick tort that may be dehydrated or not eating it wouldn't hurt to use it. It doesn't hurt the tort. I have recommended it a lot.
 

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