Please help (possible poison)

[Saleama]

He is doing ok. I came this morning and he was actually responding and there isnt anymore mucous coming out from his mouth. He sleeps every now and then and he ate some strawberry/kale the vet gave him. As of now, he has to take .05cc or ml? of calcium supplement tubefeed. I'm still not exactly sure how to tubefeed him im scared because I saw the process and I have to handle him aggressively. He is also on antibiotics but at least now he is responding, moving around and eating somewhat.

I have three juvenile box turtles that are sick. I have to give them a shot everyday and every other day force feed them vitamin a with an eye dropper. It is not fun and neither I nor my turtles enjoy it one bit, but they opened their eyes two days ago and yesterday one of them tried to eat a worm! You do what you have to do and hope everything turns out good. Good luck.

 

[ForTortel]

He is doing ok. I came this morning and he was actually responding and there isnt anymore mucous coming out from his mouth. He sleeps every now and then and he ate some strawberry/kale the vet gave him. As of now, he has to take .05cc or ml? of calcium supplement tubefeed. I'm still not exactly sure how to tubefeed him im scared because I saw the process and I have to handle him aggressively. He is also on antibiotics but at least now he is responding, moving around and eating somewhat.

I have three juvenile box turtles that are sick. I have to give them a shot everyday and every other day force feed them vitamin a with an eye dropper. It is not fun and neither I nor my turtles enjoy it one bit, but they opened their eyes two days ago and yesterday one of them tried to eat a worm! You do what you have to do and hope everything turns out good. Good luck.

Thanks. I'm trying to lure him to eat the calcium supplement along with a fruit but i feel like hes very smart and when he saw me pull that tube out he immediately changed behaviors. He must be traumatized from the vet abuse XD

 

[kezilulu]

Can it not be mixed into his food? If you maybe make him up some mazuri and mix it in with the water to soften the mazuri? That's how the vet suggested I got Sheldon to eat his deworming medicine lol
xXx

 

[ForTortel]

Ok thanks i will try!

 

[kezilulu]

Double check with the experts on here just in case that's not right/recommended but that's how I was told to do it lol
xXx

 

[LABZOO]

Ok thanks i will try!

I have heard pumpkin puree is a good way to give medication. For the gavage, I really hope the vet SHOWED you how to do it? Aspiration will kill an animal before the disease. No animal will take it willingly but that is OK. Your tort would rather you man handle him than get sicker bc of your discomfort in doing so . When I work on wildlife it can be hard to see them so stress but you must get past this and get the procedure done quickly and safely. Think of them as an animal first, your pet second. Stress is a killer but so is disease. Trust me, I have made this mistake and lost pets bc of my own hesitation. If all else fails take him back to the vet until you are comfortable doing it on your own.
Best of luck

 

[ForTortel]

Ok thanks i will try!

I have heard pumpkin puree is a good way to give medication. For the gavage, I really hope the vet SHOWED you how to do it? Aspiration will kill an animal before the disease. No animal will take it willingly but that is OK. Your tort would rather you man handle him than get sicker bc of your discomfort in doing so . When I work on wildlife it can be hard to see them so stress but you must get past this and get the procedure done quickly and safely. Think of them as an animal first, your pet second. Stress is a killer but so is disease. Trust me, I have made this mistake and lost pets bc of my own hesitation. If all else fails take him back to the vet until you are comfortable doing it on your own.
Best of luck

yea tube feeding is difficult cuz he is about 3 inches and kinda small. I'm going to have to leave it to the vet. other else ill use treats to get him to eat/drink his calcium

 

[LABZOO]

Ok thanks i will try!

I have heard pumpkin puree is a good way to give medication. For the gavage, I really hope the vet SHOWED you how to do it? Aspiration will kill an animal before the disease. No animal will take it willingly but that is OK. Your tort would rather you man handle him than get sicker bc of your discomfort in doing so . When I work on wildlife it can be hard to see them so stress but you must get past this and get the procedure done quickly and safely. Think of them as an animal first, your pet second. Stress is a killer but so is disease. Trust me, I have made this mistake and lost pets bc of my own hesitation. If all else fails take him back to the vet until you are comfortable doing it on your own.
Best of luck

yea tube feeding is difficult cuz he is about 3 inches and kinda small. I'm going to have to leave it to the vet. other else ill use treats to get him to eat/drink his calcium

Yes, I know how tricky it is on small animals, try gavaging a songbird , but it can be done.[/b]
It is very very important that he get proper fluids if nothing else. Did they supply you with anything? He can develop kindey issues (ex-gout) as a result of dehydration. You might want to avoid any foods that cause him to have watery stools (such as sugary fruits). Once you get the hang of it you should be fine and hopfully you wont have to do it for long. Have them show you how again. Make sure you mark the proper length on the tube, this will help you know if the tube is resting in the esophagus or trachea.
Cheers

 

[ForTortel]

I know he has to keep higher temperatures for his metabolism to go up and he needs to stay hydrated but I'm not sure how. I'm bathing him and letting him sit in warm water but I don't see him drink =/ If I do this like 3 times a day is that enough for him to stay hydrated? Also his home is around 90 degrees and he is hiding in a place so he could keep cool.

 

[macky9326]

I know he has to keep higher temperatures for his metabolism to go up and he needs to stay hydrated but I'm not sure how. I'm bathing him and letting him sit in warm water but I don't see him drink =/ If I do this like 3 times a day is that enough for him to stay hydrated? Also his home is around 90 degrees and he is hiding in a place so he could keep cool.

ForTortel how's the little guy doing?

 

[ForTortel]

He is doing a lot better now but I'm worried because he hasn't pooped at all. He is gonna getting shots today and I'm going to have to ask the vet about his poop problem. He has been really active and eating lately, he has been normal but not pooping

 

[Dizisdalife]

The antibiotics usually interfere with the digestive process. If he is eating okay and hydrated then eventually he will get back to normal. Assuming, of course, that there were no problems before the illness.

 

[ForTortel]

Update, he is pooped now! I just gave the vet a sample of his stool for analysis thanks guys I have a successful story. I'm growing bermuda grass and hopefully I will get him on the right diet!

 

[AZtortMom]

Yay!

 

[macky9326]

Update, he is pooped now! I just gave the vet a sample of his stool for analysis thanks guys I have a successful story. I'm growing bermuda grass and hopefully I will get him on the right diet!

Fantastic! I was so worried when I read your original post and seem the photos!