URGENT: tortoise vomiting and gasping for air

[kikokoko]

hello,
need urgent help for my tortoise QUA (female testudo hermanni boettgeri, 3.5 years old)
who suddendly today started vomiting, and open mouth to breath
Also occasionaly she makes noise breathing


Until yesterday QUA was good

She's very voracious,
and occasionaly , together with the correct diet,
I also give her some gluttony

Yesterday I gave her some beans,
ad few hours after, health problems arise

I do not know if it has anything to do


My vet says maybe intestinal distension,
so lungs are compressed, and the breathing problems

He suggested me to soak tortoise, and nothing else

But QUA seems not to improve health

Actually I put the tortoise in warm enclosure

Any suggestion?

I attach radiography just taken few hours ago

Thanks in advance

 

[wellington]

Boy, I really don't. Know what to tell you. Hopefully someone will have some ideas. Good luck, keep us posted, hope all turns out okay.

 

[kikokoko]

Boy, I really don't. Know what to tell you. Hopefully someone will have some ideas. Good luck, keep us posted, hope all turns out okay.

thanks for your reply

It would be great if any Vet could check the attached X-ray
to give some diagnosis / suggestion

 

[hunterk997]

What is the regular diet?

 

[lynnedit]

I'm not a vet. But in two middle views, the R lung does look at lot more compressed than the left.
Not sure, but on the end views, is that a very large stone on the left?
Warmth and very frequent soaking won't hurt for now.

It sounds like a medical emergency; since it happened so quickly, could the tortoise have something stuck in her throat or airway?
Does the vet specialize in reptiles/tortoises?

 

[kikokoko]

What is the regular diet?

Radicchio
Chicory
portulaca

Occasionally green beans and courgette

---

I'm not a vet. But in two middle views, the R lung does look at lot more compressed than the left.
Not sure, but on the end views, is that a very large stone on the left?
Warmth and very frequent soaking won't hurt for now.

It sounds like a medical emergency; since it happened so quickly, could the tortoise have something stuck in her throat or airway?
Does the vet specialize in reptiles/tortoises?

i'm posting from italy and the only vet we found at 11pm was a girl not specialized who called his colleague specialized. he saw the x-ray and suggest to keep her soaked, but he said it is not a big stone, maybe only a partial obstruction... but now she seems to be weaker... I don't know if it's only because she is trying to sleep or... (it's 4 am and I don't know what to do) - unfortunately there is no emergency clinic nearby with specialized vet

 

[T33's Torts]

I have no idea what to tell you... Hopefully someone will reply. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Pokeymeg]

Oh my, I'm so sorry your tortoise is having such trouble it sounds very scary for you! I can't offer anything but moral support, I'm afraid.... Since it's so late/early, definitely try to let her rest. She is going to be very stressed from whatever is wrong, plus the vet visit. Try to keep her as quiet as possible and handle only for baths.

 

[AnnV]

What kind of beans? Like green beans? Or legumes such as kidney or garbanzo beans?
If the latter, were they cooked or raw?
Beans can cause gas and bloating.
My sister's dachshund had a terrible episode after eating baked beans. Tore a hole in her carpet, digging and generally having a fit with discomfort. It passed finally, but she also went to vet and Xrayed, etc.
Soothing warm soaks are probably best.

 

[kezilulu]

How's she doing? Does she seem any better today?
xXx

 

[edwardbo]

too much for the torts system,real warm ,loooooooong soaks,id make tort swim a little to get intestines moving,deaper water if tort is not to sick already,reminds me of when horses eat too many apples and get colic .keep tort moving....and dont feed beans for a while ,then in very small amounts if you must,none probly best....start praying,and keeping fingers crossed....vomiting is good in this case....horses cant vomit......

 

[lighthiker2]

Did vet mention dropping a gastric tube for emptying and decompression?

 

[lynnedit]

Any update?