Please help STAT! (Straining to pass stool)

[Shaif]

Oh. Thank you. I have looked for vets-- even the ones who say they take exotics and herp people are not true specialists.

I'm in zip code 15044. And I thank you for any info you can share.

You are very kind.

 

[zovick]

The tortoise needs to have a feeding tube put in so you can give him adequate nutrition plus the proper dosages of medications without him having to eat anything. This tube is inserted into the stomach through a small incision in the neck and it will not keep the tortoise from eating on his own when and if it wants to do so. If this is not done, I think there is a good chance that your tortoise will die from this problem he is having. You need to take him to a reptile vet who can do this. Post your zip code and I will search for the nearest one to you.

Are there any vet schools in the Pittsburgh area? That is another option, plus if there are, there is a better chance of there being a reptile vet in the general area who trained at the school and then went into private practice.

Without knowing your zip code, I found these two reptile vets who are listed as being within 50 miles of Pittsburgh, PA:

Edward R. Bennett
5354 William Flynn Hwy
Ste 203
Gibsonia
Pennsylvania
15044-9650
United States
(724) 444-6600

Craig Hill
1 Gibralter Way
Greensburg
Pennsylvania
15601-5613
United States
724-216-5174

 

[zovick]

The two above are listed on the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Vets web site as being exotics vets. They are also the same two who come up when searching within 50 miles of your zip code and for Pittsburgh, PA.

I suggest that you decide which one is closest to you, then call him for an appointment. You could ask when you call if they can insert a gastric feeding tube into a tortoise.

 

[Shaif]

The two above are listed on the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Vets web site as being exotics vets. They are also the same two who come up when searching within 50 miles of your zip code and for Pittsburgh, PA.

I suggest that you decide which one is closest to you, then call him for an appointment. You could ask when you call if they can insert a gastric feeding tube into a tortoise.

Thank you very much.

I actually called this first number last week. He was away for continuing education. I will call first thing tomorrow.

But this feeding tube sounds pretty intense. I'll do it for sure if it will help Zeus, but I worry about pain. He's really so tiny-- only 60 grams.

I'll keep you posted though.

The stool was sent Monday, so hopefully I will have an idea what's going on there soon.

 

[zovick]

Feeding by tube is a proven way to save tortoises which will not eat on their own. You can also give exact doses of any medications which are needed since you just squeeze it into the tube via and wash it down with a little water. The tortoises aren't bothered by it at all, plus they can still eat on their own if they want.

How long has it been since your tortoise ate? It really seems to me that tube feeding him is his best chance to survive. He needs something in his gut to regain his strength. How else will that happen if he doesn't eat?

 

[Shaif]

Feeding by tube is a proven way to save tortoises which will not eat on their own. You can also give exact doses of any medications which are needed since you just squeeze it into the tube via and wash it down with a little water. The tortoises aren't bothered by it at all, plus they can still eat on their own if they want.

How long has it been since your tortoise ate? It really seems to me that tube feeding him is his best chance to survive. He needs something in his gut to regain his strength. How else will that happen if he doesn't eat?

Ok. I'll do it. I'll take Zeus tomorrow (thank goodness I have a day off). I just hope this guy does these procedures!

I'll ask to speak to the vet personally. I'm sure the decision will be made in the first 2 minutes of discussion.

I was a resident once (of human patients). Experience matters. Trust me.

Again, I thank you.

 

[zovick]

Ok. I'll do it. I'll take Zeus tomorrow (thank goodness I have a day off). I just hope this guy does these procedures!

I'll ask to speak to the vet personally. I'm sure the decision will be made in the first 2 minutes of discussion.

I was a resident once (of human patients). Experience matters. Trust me.

Again, I thank you.

Yes, I know that quite well. I am a dentist who ran a very busy oral surgery clinic for two years in the US Army from 1971-73, then went into private practice and have been doing dentistry continuously from 1967 to the present. If the vet doesn't feel capable of doing the procedure successfully, he will tell you and send you to someone else.

 

[zovick]

@Shaif What happened today?

 

[Shaif]

@Shaif What happened today?

I called the one within an hour from me. He has no appointments until Tuesday. I even begged for an emergency appointment. No dice.
So I keep soaking Zeus and placing him right in a food plate of cucumber and cactus. I have 2 cameras in the enclosure and can rewind/view everything. Zeus still hasn't eaten. But he passed another very large, very hard bowel movement. Yes, I know it's odd, but I dissected the BM to see if I could learn anything. This one looks normal to the naked eye. Just huge. Like a marble and hard like a cranberry.
I don't know what that means. But I wish veterinary medicine was like human medicine. We don't turn anyone away.

 

[zovick]

Did you ask if this vet can place the feeding tube when you do get to see him? Did you make an appointment for Tuesday?

 

[Shaif]

Did you ask if this vet can place the feeding tube when you do get to see him? Did you make an appointment for Tuesday?

His secretary thinks he may be able to but has never seen it.
My hopes are low. And no, I'll be working on Tuesday. I can't make an appointment then.

I do still have an appointment with my first vet for Friday. I changed my work schedule to make that one.

 

[Shaif]

Sorry if these updates are annoying. I feel like you are going through this with me.

Zeus ate today. Quite a bit! Of wet, mushy, Mazuri. Right after a soak.

I know this might not mean very much, but hopefully it's a good sign!

I still have the follow up appointment with non-herp vet tomorrow.

Thank you for caring.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Sorry if these updates are annoying. I feel like you are going through this with me.

Zeus ate today. Quite a bit! Of wet, mushy, Mazuri. Right after a soak.

I know this might not mean very much, but hopefully it's a good sign!

I still have the follow up appointment with non-herp vet tomorrow.

Thank you for caring.

Yaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Zeus! Well done!
That's excellent news.
Please keep up with the updates, cos we do care.

 

[threeboxerlover]

Yay! I have been following along reading each entry on Zeus' progress. Great news that he ate!!!

 

[Pearly]

.

 

[Pearly]

.

Fingers and toes crossed for you and Zeus.

 

[Shaif]

Yaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Zeus! Well done!
That's excellent news.
Please keep up with the updates, cos we do care.

Thank you, Adam! Much appreciated!

 

[Shaif]

Fingers and toes crossed for you and Zeus.

Thank you! So much.

 

[Shaif]

Yay! I have been following along reading each entry on Zeus' progress. Great news that he ate!!!

Thank you! I'm choosing to be cautiously optimistic!

 

[TammyJ]

Wishing and hoping, it's great that he ate! All the very very best.