Reducing Tort stress on a trip to the vets

[Rambotron]

Irwin had a check up last night (all very positive its an uphill battle to come back from how advanced her mbd was! but shes doing great the little booger)

The last few times we've been to the vets she was fine and seemingly unfazed by it all

However, last night she was really stressed. I've never seen her so firmly shut up inside her shell and she voided her bladder a few times! I've read that this is a normal repose if they think they are being attacked by a predator but she has never done it when I have handled her so I can only assume she thought the vet was trying to eat her!

When we got home I put her straight back onto her tortoise table and it was a good half an our before she would even come out of her shell, and even then it was just long enough to run under her hide. Shes been there ever since.

Basically, I think the poor sod was absolutely petrified! and normally she so brave and curious it broke my heart to see her so out of sorts.

The world must be terrifying when you're only 10cm small lol!

Does anyone have any tip or tricks for reducing tort stress for visits to the vet? So I will know for next time how to make it a bit easier on her.

Thanks in advance

[CherryBrandy]

Irwin is a storm trouper. Probably what has happened prior is when feeling poorly didn't acknowledge surroundings and now when better is perfectly stressed. I have same with my little one on the RNS front. If I bathe him in his water bowl he is ok but pick him up and then bathe him outside of his environment he will wheeze consistently.

The voiding does happen with motion of car but I would try and cover up his box if can with a t towel so no light comes in until the vets. don't check on him either , make it dark and quiet as possible....just like when he is inside his shell. others may have more ideas too of course, CB

[Suze65]

Originally Posted by CherryBrandy

Irwin is a storm trouper. Probably what has happened prior is when feeling poorly didn't acknowledge surroundings and now when better is perfectly stressed. I have same with my little one on the RNS front. If I bathe him in his water bowl he is ok but pick him up and then bathe him outside of his environment he will wheeze consistently.

The voiding does happen with motion of car but I would try and cover up his box if can with a t towel so no light comes in until the vets. don't check on him either , make it dark and quiet as possible....just like when he is inside his shell. others may have more ideas too of course, CB

I would say similar to this, when going to the vet, keep them in a dark cool place, for a while before going, definitely not straight from under a nice hot light.
So they are nice a calm, before even getting there, you can't avoid stress all together, they will feel some stress, but you can reduce it as much as possible. And when you get home, expect they will be quiet for a while, just leave them be, and they will come out when they are ready.

[Rambotron]

thanks guys all great advice, Irwin was definatley warm and active right up until we left. Next time I will give her time to 'cool down' before we leave and will cover her travelling box so shes dark and relaxed.

I think i've now discovered why she took quite so long to warm up when we got home. I think shes sprained or bruised her front leg during the travel or examination.

I imagine it was probably when the vet had to coax her legs out of her shell for the examination because she was so tightly wedged in there.

I doubt its broken because she IS walking on it, but very gingerly and she seems reluctant to use it to 'grip' food as they do when eating.

I'm just gutted. i took a perfectly happy and active little girl to the vet and have come home with a stressed and limping little lady :/

[Jan W]

Originally Posted by Rambotron

thanks guys all great advice, Irwin was definatley warm and active right up until we left. Next time I will give her time to 'cool down' before we leave and will cover her travelling box so shes dark and relaxed.

I think i've now discovered why she took quite so long to warm up when we got home. I think shes sprained or bruised her front leg during the travel or examination.

I imagine it was probably when the vet had to coax her legs out of her shell for the examination because she was so tightly wedged in there.

I doubt its broken because she IS walking on it, but very gingerly and she seems reluctant to use it to 'grip' food as they do when eating.

I'm just gutted. i took a perfectly happy and active little girl to the vet and have come home with a stressed and limping little lady :/

Oh my goodness. So sorry to read all this.

I found that when I tipped them forward - to trim their beaks their legs came out as well. Although no idea if that happens with all torts. (Only had to trim them once and make sure all food picked for them on a slate).

Poor little thing.

Vet sounds a bit rough.....

Very lucky to have you to care for her.

[CherryBrandy]

oh no ! poor thing and you watching it unfold. he has probably pulled it a little too much. Vets should know to make a tortoise release head and legs you tip them on their backs and it is usually a reflex action everything appears ! CB

[Rambotron]

Thanks for the kind words guys.
She seems a little more lively today, still limping a little but a slight improvement on yesterday.

I will definitely endevour to make sure her travel to the vets next time is a little bit more relaxed so that the vet doesn't have to coax her out quite as roughly!

Luckily the vet was happy enough that shes responding to the mbd treatment that her next check up isn't for 3 months!