Advice on a Horsfields swollen rear leg?

BlameSimon · 16-05-2011, 10:02 PM

Hi all!
First of all, Thankyou! Since adopting Bowser the tortoise three months ago this site has been amazing. I believe I have my set-up correct, and he has seemed happy. (Even if my first attempt at growing Pansies failed haha....

)
Anyway, my problem is... About three weeks ago I noticed Bowsers rear left leg was slightly larger than his right. He was however moving fine, eating, passing as normal. The vet said keep an eye on it, could be an old injury. (If this vet is trustworthy is up for debate... but okay, he seemed in good health.)
Saturday however I noticed he seems to be dragging this leg more, not too keen on putting weight on it, and not fully raising his shell from the ground when walking - which he hadn't done before.

I would just like to know your thoughts, or whether any of you have experience as to if this could be infection or a fracture? So that I know what to say to a potential vet/what to expect to hear. I know an x-ray is probably on the cards!
I have doubts about returning to the same vet as they said he was a Hermanns (he's a definite Horsfield to me and previous owner) and also didn't notice the leg until I pointed it out despite it being large in comparison.

Have attempted to attach a picture... if it doesn't work from flickr I'll try again with photobucket - will have to make an account ha.
Thankyou in advance!
Simon.

**egyptiandan64** · 16-05-2011, 10:57 PM

No the picture didn't work

It's not likely to be fractured if he was walking on it before, but isn't now. It sounds like it is an infection and that it's getting worse. I would definately get to a good reptile vet to have the leg looked at and maybe have them do a biopsy to check whats going on. They should though put him on antibiotics right away and change them depending on what the tests show.

Danny

BlameSimon · 20-05-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

No the picture didn't work

It's not likely to be fractured if he was walking on it before, but isn't now. It sounds like it is an infection and that it's getting worse. I would definately get to a good reptile vet to have the leg looked at and maybe have them do a biopsy to check whats going on. They should though put him on antibiotics right away and change them depending on what the tests show.

Danny

Quick update, Bowser is in for the weekend, as Danny said Xray then biopsy, antibiotics now then see what the tests show.
He said it was a peculiar inflammation, looked to be knee and thigh based, but definitely something going on. Could be simple, could be otherwise.
Happy with treatment, just roll on Monday! Weird coming back home without him D:
Cheers! Simon.

Evie · 20-05-2011, 03:30 PM

I hope everything goes OK Simon - it is horrible leaving them behind !!!

I took Daisie to see John today - she has pneumonia again but caught it early this time so hopefully she will only need one more visit.

Please let us know how he gets on.

**Bindi** · 20-05-2011, 03:55 PM

Fingers crossed the vet gets to the bottom of things Simon, and Bowser's back home soon

roofee0778 · 20-05-2011, 06:04 PM

I hope Bowser feels better soon.

BlameSimon · 17-05-2011, 01:06 AM

Ok try this...
Thanks Danny. I'll on the phone in the morning I think! Closest one to me on the 'good vet' thread appears to be havant. Anything specific I should ask?

**egyptiandan64** · 17-05-2011, 01:59 PM

That is swollen

. A blood draw and trying to get some tissue or fluid from the swollen area would be in order.

Danny

Evie · 17-05-2011, 07:10 PM

If the vet you are talking about in Havant is Downland they are very good - either David or Ben.

I go to their surgery in Emsworth - they are excellent with reptiles.

**Bindi** · 17-05-2011, 07:14 PM

I agree with Evie, Ben or David will know what to do

16-05-2011, 10:02 PM	#1
BlameSimon Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southampton Posts: 17	Advice on a Horsfields swollen rear leg? Hi all! First of all, Thankyou! Since adopting Bowser the tortoise three months ago this site has been amazing. I believe I have my set-up correct, and he has seemed happy. (Even if my first attempt at growing Pansies failed haha....) Anyway, my problem is... About three weeks ago I noticed Bowsers rear left leg was slightly larger than his right. He was however moving fine, eating, passing as normal. The vet said keep an eye on it, could be an old injury. (If this vet is trustworthy is up for debate... but okay, he seemed in good health.) Saturday however I noticed he seems to be dragging this leg more, not too keen on putting weight on it, and not fully raising his shell from the ground when walking - which he hadn't done before. I would just like to know your thoughts, or whether any of you have experience as to if this could be infection or a fracture? So that I know what to say to a potential vet/what to expect to hear. I know an x-ray is probably on the cards! I have doubts about returning to the same vet as they said he was a Hermanns (he's a definite Horsfield to me and previous owner) and also didn't notice the leg until I pointed it out despite it being large in comparison. Have attempted to attach a picture... if it doesn't work from flickr I'll try again with photobucket - will have to make an account ha. Thankyou in advance! Simon.

16-05-2011, 10:57 PM	#2
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	No the picture didn't work It's not likely to be fractured if he was walking on it before, but isn't now. It sounds like it is an infection and that it's getting worse. I would definately get to a good reptile vet to have the leg looked at and maybe have them do a biopsy to check whats going on. They should though put him on antibiotics right away and change them depending on what the tests show. Danny __________________

20-05-2011, 03:55 PM	#5
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	Fingers crossed the vet gets to the bottom of things Simon, and Bowser's back home soon __________________

20-05-2011, 06:04 PM	#6
roofee0778 Member Hatched Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 446	I hope Bowser feels better soon. __________________ Ruth 1 funny little thb - Pedro

17-05-2011, 01:59 PM	#8
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	That is swollen . A blood draw and trying to get some tissue or fluid from the swollen area would be in order. Danny __________________

20-05-2011, 03:30 PM	#4
Evie Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southampton Posts: 1,752	I hope everything goes OK Simon - it is horrible leaving them behind !!! I took Daisie to see John today - she has pneumonia again but caught it early this time so hopefully she will only need one more visit. Please let us know how he gets on.

17-05-2011, 01:06 AM	#7
BlameSimon Junior Member Egg Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southampton Posts: 17	Ok try this... Thanks Danny. I'll on the phone in the morning I think! Closest one to me on the 'good vet' thread appears to be havant. Anything specific I should ask?

17-05-2011, 07:10 PM	#9
Evie Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southampton Posts: 1,752	If the vet you are talking about in Havant is Downland they are very good - either David or Ben. I go to their surgery in Emsworth - they are excellent with reptiles. Last edited by Evie; 17-05-2011 at 07:18 PM.

17-05-2011, 07:14 PM	#10
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	I agree with Evie, Ben or David will know what to do __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)