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Old 15-01-2017, 08:03 PM   #11
CherryBrandy
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Lovely shell he has. Hope Timmy gets better soon. I took lynns advice and got some Abidec from Sainsburys, and was very pleased to see its full of Vit A which can deplete so badly under lights. It might be worth trying a little 'tonic' when he is home, its aways a horrid worry, CB
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Old 18-01-2017, 10:52 PM   #12
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Well well well.... Timmy is back home and on the home straight to full health! The vet's said we had a very typical chicken or egg scenario (more like chicken or egg or egg or egg!!). It turns out that he was very dehydrated, had a small infection in the gut, slight neumonia and some hard-to-shift compaction! It's hard to know what the initial problem was as all of these illnesses can lead on to each other. Ashton concluded that he was vomiting his food as the gut was blocked and there was nowhere for the food to go! And the compaction was probably there because he was dehydrated...

All infection is now clear, signs of neumonia have vanished and the blood results show he is fully hydrated again. The only thing still ongoing is to remove the compacted 'stuff' from inside him. He did not poop in his entire 8 days at the vets... His opening at his tail is very swollen and a bit red (the vets said he has obviously been trying to push out this mess, but to keep an eye on it). However, He pooed on the way home WUHEY!!

A stop at the supermarket to grab a large clear plastic tray and plenty of 'naughty' food, Timmy is now separated from Tilly ( his beloved) so that we can monitor his eating/pooping habits. They can still see each other though. This is nice to see as they sit next to each other, either side of the container.

We've now removed all substrate (Pro rep tortoise life) to avoid any further possibilities of compaction. We have been asked by Ashton to bath twice a day with reptoboost and weigh him everyday. Ashton wants us to call on Friday with an update as she expects him to lose some weight ( as he's no longer being force-fed).

So all in the poor little guy has been through a lot!

Blood sample
Stomach wash, with bacteriology lab tests
Anaesthesia (they didn't want to, but he was so stubborn)
Initial x-ray
Barium indicator fluids
Second x-ray
Anti biotics
Second blood sample
Urea/Uric acid lab test
Appetite booster
Fortum (?)
8 days in the finest tortoise hotel...

One of the best £695's we've spent!

Wouldn't be without him and it's so nice to have him home.
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Old 19-01-2017, 12:26 AM   #13
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I think Timmy has had a VERY lucky escape. As I read your post I just knew you were going to say it was that substrate Vile lethal stuff!

I admin a facebook forum for Tortoise Protection Group, with 17,000+ members & you would be surprised how frequently we have this problem occuring. With members desperate to warn others (& willing to share x-rays & vet reports)

Please steer clear of Tortoise Life or Tortoise Terrain, its harming & killing far too many torts & costing owners a fortune in vets fees
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Old 19-01-2017, 12:27 AM   #14
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So glad Timmy is on the mend by the way
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Old 19-01-2017, 09:54 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t.doyle View Post
Well well well.... Timmy is back home and on the home straight to full health! The vet's said we had a very typical chicken or egg scenario (more like chicken or egg or egg or egg!!). It turns out that he was very dehydrated, had a small infection in the gut, slight neumonia and some hard-to-shift compaction! It's hard to know what the initial problem was as all of these illnesses can lead on to each other. Ashton concluded that he was vomiting his food as the gut was blocked and there was nowhere for the food to go! And the compaction was probably there because he was dehydrated...

All infection is now clear, signs of neumonia have vanished and the blood results show he is fully hydrated again. The only thing still ongoing is to remove the compacted 'stuff' from inside him. He did not poop in his entire 8 days at the vets... His opening at his tail is very swollen and a bit red (the vets said he has obviously been trying to push out this mess, but to keep an eye on it). However, He pooed on the way home WUHEY!!

A stop at the supermarket to grab a large clear plastic tray and plenty of 'naughty' food, Timmy is now separated from Tilly ( his beloved) so that we can monitor his eating/pooping habits. They can still see each other though. This is nice to see as they sit next to each other, either side of the container.

We've now removed all substrate (Pro rep tortoise life) to avoid any further possibilities of compaction. We have been asked by Ashton to bath twice a day with reptoboost and weigh him everyday. Ashton wants us to call on Friday with an update as she expects him to lose some weight ( as he's no longer being force-fed).

So all in the poor little guy has been through a lot!

Blood sample
Stomach wash, with bacteriology lab tests
Anaesthesia (they didn't want to, but he was so stubborn)
Initial x-ray
Barium indicator fluids
Second x-ray
Anti biotics
Second blood sample
Urea/Uric acid lab test
Appetite booster
Fortum (?)
8 days in the finest tortoise hotel...

One of the best £695's we've spent!

Wouldn't be without him and it's so nice to have him home.

If he was dehydrated, the the blockage is probably the bladder stone, which is not good. Unless the vet can remove it:0)
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Old 19-01-2017, 04:50 PM   #16
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yah for Timmy - stick to anything natural is always best policy. good to hear he is on the mend, CB
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Old 20-01-2017, 12:41 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by burnt toast View Post
I think Timmy has had a VERY lucky escape. As I read your post I just knew you were going to say it was that substrate Vile lethal stuff!

I admin a facebook forum for Tortoise Protection Group, with 17,000+ members & you would be surprised how frequently we have this problem occuring. With members desperate to warn others (& willing to share x-rays & vet reports)

Please steer clear of Tortoise Life or Tortoise Terrain, its harming & killing far too many torts & costing owners a fortune in vets fees
Totally agree with BurntToast here.. That ironically named tortoise life is lethal stuff.even if you seive out the white parts you are just left with a course sandy type substrate ..
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Old 20-01-2017, 10:50 PM   #18
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Thank you so much for updating. So much better news too.
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Old 22-01-2017, 02:47 PM   #19
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He's having plenty of baths. He's not eaten anything since he came back from the vets (5 days now). However he has passed a lot of poo. All of the poo has a gritty consistency. Today a whopper came out that contained several large pieces of the white grit found within tortoise life.... He seems to be moving more and more now. I just wish he would eat something!!
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Old 22-01-2017, 03:53 PM   #20
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Never thought I would say this - so pleased to hear Timmy is passing large poo!

I'm sure he will start eating soon, of course there may be more to come. Humans often stop eating when they are constipated.

I haven't had this problem with my torts, so sorry I can't offer any advice, but I'm sure someone will comment.
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