A bit concerned

Hazel · 13-08-2009, 08:31 PM

I'm a bit concerned about my 2 year old Horsfield, Dandelion. I just don't think she's thriving. There's nothing massively obvious- her eyes are clear, no signs of a respiratory infection, poo normal, the occasional creamy urate.
She is barely eating at the moment, unlike Baxter who will eat quite a lot. She is a lot more inactive than him.
I have them outside but she just wants to go into the hut and dig down. I know it's not that hot at the moment, I've been bringing her in after work for a warm up which seems to get her eating a bit. Not a lot though, and I have to coax her sometimes by putting her nearer the food etc.
She is not putting on much weight, she stayed about the same this month. She is older than Baxter but he has outgrown her.

Last year she had worms and also a gut infection and was treated for both. The worms went and she really picked up after the antibiotics. The fact she didn't eat for a long time meant she ended up with a calcium deficiency which was sorted out with liquid calcium given orally every day. She had a blood test at this time which also told us that her liver and kidneys were fine, so nothing underlying there.

I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid, maybe she's just naturally not as active or greedy as Baxter. Maybe I should have her screened for worms again.

Any thoughts?

Helen M · 13-08-2009, 08:36 PM

I'd have her checked for worms again. Our adult horsfield Martha has been a little under the weather too. The vet checked her over, x rays and scans. He didn't find a problem, he just gave her two stomach tube feedings and since then she has picked up somewhat and gaining the weight she lost.
Helen xx

Kirkie · 13-08-2009, 08:38 PM

Just a thought Hazel but is it possible Baxter might be the problem? Sounds like dandelion might be shying away, possibly from Baxter?

Hazel · 13-08-2009, 08:43 PM

They've never had problems together really, I'm thinking Baxter is a girl actually as things are so harmonious! I left Baxter out tonight and brought Dandy in and she's behaving the same. But who knows what goes on when my back is turned eh? Maybe I'll leave her indoors on her own for a couple of days and see if the warmth and solitude make a difference!

I'll also drop off a sample tomorrow, thanks Helen. I think it's worth checking, definitely.

Star · 13-08-2009, 09:51 PM

Hi Hazel,
I think you should go with your intuition and have her checked out, just to put your mind at ease. Its a horrible feeling when your not sure if they are under the weather.

Good luck and I hope she picks up soon

Hazel · 15-09-2009, 08:34 PM

Haven't been on here in ages...broadband availability has been sporadic at best...hopefully will be fixed soon...anyway...

Thought I'd post an update on this simply because I am AMAZED at the transformation! Since this post, Dandelion has gradually morphed into the greediest tort alive! She is just as greedy as Baxter and eating just as much as him now, and is so, so much more active

She is putting on weight steadily and I'm hoping this will continue!

I think she is more sensitive to her surroundings than Baxter. We had recently moved, so I re-did their indoor enclosures a bit differently and they had totally new outdoor ones built. Baxter isn't fazed by anything, but I think it upset Dandelion a bit.

Star · 15-09-2009, 08:46 PM

Glad to hear that everything's settled

Thank you for the update

**Bindi** · 15-09-2009, 08:51 PM

That's brill news, Hazel

It just shows how differentt they all are

Lolly8 · 17-09-2009, 11:49 PM

Great news!

13-08-2009, 08:31 PM	#1
Hazel Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Manchester Posts: 853	A bit concerned I'm a bit concerned about my 2 year old Horsfield, Dandelion. I just don't think she's thriving. There's nothing massively obvious- her eyes are clear, no signs of a respiratory infection, poo normal, the occasional creamy urate. She is barely eating at the moment, unlike Baxter who will eat quite a lot. She is a lot more inactive than him. I have them outside but she just wants to go into the hut and dig down. I know it's not that hot at the moment, I've been bringing her in after work for a warm up which seems to get her eating a bit. Not a lot though, and I have to coax her sometimes by putting her nearer the food etc. She is not putting on much weight, she stayed about the same this month. She is older than Baxter but he has outgrown her. Last year she had worms and also a gut infection and was treated for both. The worms went and she really picked up after the antibiotics. The fact she didn't eat for a long time meant she ended up with a calcium deficiency which was sorted out with liquid calcium given orally every day. She had a blood test at this time which also told us that her liver and kidneys were fine, so nothing underlying there. I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid, maybe she's just naturally not as active or greedy as Baxter. Maybe I should have her screened for worms again. Any thoughts? __________________

13-08-2009, 08:43 PM	#4
Hazel Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Manchester Posts: 853	They've never had problems together really, I'm thinking Baxter is a girl actually as things are so harmonious! I left Baxter out tonight and brought Dandy in and she's behaving the same. But who knows what goes on when my back is turned eh? Maybe I'll leave her indoors on her own for a couple of days and see if the warmth and solitude make a difference! I'll also drop off a sample tomorrow, thanks Helen. I think it's worth checking, definitely. __________________

13-08-2009, 09:51 PM	#5
Star Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: With My Tortoises Posts: 1,495	Hi Hazel, I think you should go with your intuition and have her checked out, just to put your mind at ease. Its a horrible feeling when your not sure if they are under the weather. Good luck and I hope she picks up soon __________________ 1.1./. Amazing kids 0.1./. Gorgeous Malamute 0.1./. Beautiful Cat 0.5.0. Playful T.H.H / T.H.B 11 Tropical Fish 1 Bearded Lizard Lots of Aspirin Before enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. ~Zen Buddhist Proverb

15-09-2009, 08:34 PM	#6
Hazel Member Juvenile Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Manchester Posts: 853	Haven't been on here in ages...broadband availability has been sporadic at best...hopefully will be fixed soon...anyway... Thought I'd post an update on this simply because I am AMAZED at the transformation! Since this post, Dandelion has gradually morphed into the greediest tort alive! She is just as greedy as Baxter and eating just as much as him now, and is so, so much more active She is putting on weight steadily and I'm hoping this will continue! I think she is more sensitive to her surroundings than Baxter. We had recently moved, so I re-did their indoor enclosures a bit differently and they had totally new outdoor ones built. Baxter isn't fazed by anything, but I think it upset Dandelion a bit. __________________

15-09-2009, 08:46 PM	#7
Star Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: With My Tortoises Posts: 1,495	Glad to hear that everything's settled Thank you for the update __________________ 1.1./. Amazing kids 0.1./. Gorgeous Malamute 0.1./. Beautiful Cat 0.5.0. Playful T.H.H / T.H.B 11 Tropical Fish 1 Bearded Lizard Lots of Aspirin Before enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment - chop wood, carry water. ~Zen Buddhist Proverb

13-08-2009, 08:36 PM	#2
Helen M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,362	I'd have her checked for worms again. Our adult horsfield Martha has been a little under the weather too. The vet checked her over, x rays and scans. He didn't find a problem, he just gave her two stomach tube feedings and since then she has picked up somewhat and gaining the weight she lost. Helen xx

13-08-2009, 08:38 PM	#3
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Just a thought Hazel but is it possible Baxter might be the problem? Sounds like dandelion might be shying away, possibly from Baxter?

15-09-2009, 08:51 PM	#8
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	That's brill news, Hazel It just shows how differentt they all are __________________

17-09-2009, 11:49 PM	#9
Lolly8 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Stoke on Trent Posts: 5,276	Great news! __________________

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