NeonGrape
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2015
- Messages
- 12
I work at a pet store, and approximately 2 weeks ago a Russian Tortoise was returned because she wasn't eating. Her eyes were a bit sunken in as well. Not to mention she felt like a feather.
On Tuesday of last week we took her to the vet. Her weight was 204 grams at the vet. The vet also took bloodwork. He said her prognosis from the way she looked didn't look good. He said best case scenario, if husbandry wasn't right, it could be hibernation.
He prescribed Metronidazole only for the side effect of increasing the appetite. And also Oxbow Critical Care for syringe feeding. He recommended getting her basking spot up to 95, her ambient temp to 85 and her night temp 75-80 incase she was hibernating and we could slowly bring her out of it. Also, the normal soaks, but daily for 30 minutes. And of course weighing her.
On Thursday her bloodwork came back. The results showed low white and red blood cell counts, and low kindey function. His main concern was sepsis.
We decided to get xrays done that same Thursday. Xrays were normal. But he also prescribed Veraflox. He said from how she looked on Tuesday to now, it was remarkable. He said to continue feeding her, and lets see if she starts eating on her own.
On that Friday, she pooped what appeared to be a woodchip. It was a little under half an inch in length and width. After speaking to the vet, he said she could be compacted just as well a woodchip could have punctured an organ.
On Saturday , I put a few pieces of Collard Greens in her mouth and she ate them, but she still wont eat on her own.
Today, she is up to 220grams. Im still syringe feeding her and soaking her. However, besides the woodchip she has yet to poop and still wont eat on her own.
There are a few different procedures he can try, but because they are surgical I have to get approval from corporate to have it done, and the vet said because of the prognosis being poor, he's not sure they will easily approve.
I guess Im looking for advice. What I can give her to help her poop. If anyone has experienced this with a tortoise or what. If anyone could suggest a food that would make her poop, how long will she go without pooping?
Any tips would be helpful. And please don't bash that I work at a pet store.
On Tuesday of last week we took her to the vet. Her weight was 204 grams at the vet. The vet also took bloodwork. He said her prognosis from the way she looked didn't look good. He said best case scenario, if husbandry wasn't right, it could be hibernation.
He prescribed Metronidazole only for the side effect of increasing the appetite. And also Oxbow Critical Care for syringe feeding. He recommended getting her basking spot up to 95, her ambient temp to 85 and her night temp 75-80 incase she was hibernating and we could slowly bring her out of it. Also, the normal soaks, but daily for 30 minutes. And of course weighing her.
On Thursday her bloodwork came back. The results showed low white and red blood cell counts, and low kindey function. His main concern was sepsis.
We decided to get xrays done that same Thursday. Xrays were normal. But he also prescribed Veraflox. He said from how she looked on Tuesday to now, it was remarkable. He said to continue feeding her, and lets see if she starts eating on her own.
On that Friday, she pooped what appeared to be a woodchip. It was a little under half an inch in length and width. After speaking to the vet, he said she could be compacted just as well a woodchip could have punctured an organ.
On Saturday , I put a few pieces of Collard Greens in her mouth and she ate them, but she still wont eat on her own.
Today, she is up to 220grams. Im still syringe feeding her and soaking her. However, besides the woodchip she has yet to poop and still wont eat on her own.
There are a few different procedures he can try, but because they are surgical I have to get approval from corporate to have it done, and the vet said because of the prognosis being poor, he's not sure they will easily approve.
I guess Im looking for advice. What I can give her to help her poop. If anyone has experienced this with a tortoise or what. If anyone could suggest a food that would make her poop, how long will she go without pooping?
Any tips would be helpful. And please don't bash that I work at a pet store.