Beakys got a respiratory infection, i'm so scary she's gonna die :( - Page 3

**Bindi** · 20-11-2009, 04:06 PM

Sending big hugs and positive vibes...

tartaruga amore · 20-11-2009, 05:30 PM

sand & soil will be great when she is better, but might stick to her poor nose at the mo, if it does, put it to one side until she is better and use newspaper

when she is in the bath, use a bit of sponge and gently drip the water on the top of her head, they normally react by sticking their head up, it helps flush out the nose

linda · 20-11-2009, 08:32 PM

as you are aware tortoise cannot cough
as a result mucous can build
below i have copied and pasted some advice given by hannah an exotics vet
hope it helps
wishing your tort a full and speedy recovery

You can help clear the mucus by lots of steam in an enclosed container - a large plastic tub with a bowl of boiling water in ( that they cant get at or touch) 2-3 times daily can act as a mucus lifter ( they dont have the ability to cough as not got a real diaphragm so mucus sits in the airways). just a thought that may help a little.

If you feel confident, holding the mouth open and rolling a cotton wool bud tip along the hard palate towards the nares can also help remove mucus .

Hannah
__________________
hb

bextress · 20-11-2009, 10:39 PM

I you feel confident enough to do so, ask your vet to show you how to inject the antibiotics yourself, its a more reliable (and concentrated) way of getting them in. Also you may have to start tube feeding. A humid environment may help her breathing.
The vet may suggest an x-ray to see to what extent the pneumonia has spread, if this is done on a regular basis ie every 3-4 days then it is easy to see improvement or deterioration.
good luck x

Mortifera · 22-11-2009, 05:15 PM

hi guys, still not a great deal of improvement

managing to get the antibiotics in her by squirting them down the back of the throat so she cant spit it back up, and keeping her warm too, still can't get her to eat though

anymore suggestions?

still keeping up with daily baths and introduced some steam to her today to try clear some mucus, ive got a feeding tube, but when i open her mouth i cant see where it's meant to go and i dont want to hurt her or do anymore damage trying.

Tried her on all sorts of food, including naughty banana, she looked interested in the banana then just closed her eyes again

she's not eaten in a week now

linda · 22-11-2009, 05:19 PM

you coukld ask the vet about inserting a stomach tube for feeding

however a week isnt a long time for a tort

the impotant thing is keeping hydration up

especailly whilst you have increased temps to assist the antibiotics

lots of warm baths in a steamy room

you could try cucumber

keeping fingers crossed for your poorly chap xx

Mortifera · 22-11-2009, 05:38 PM

yeah tried cucumber

Back at the vets on weds, if she hasnt improved at all by then ill ask him about other options

my shower has a kool steam function so might try sitting her in there lol without the shower running obv :P

lizzy k · 22-11-2009, 06:33 PM

I know what you are going through as one of my horsfields was very ill with pneumonia and it was several weeks before he started eating again. I managed to tempt him with little gem lettuce - possibly not the best thing but it was a start. Like you I also bathed him in reptoboost and I left his heat on 24/7. Thankfully he's fine now. All the best with your little one.

Mortifera · 22-11-2009, 10:33 PM

really weeks? I guess I can stop panicking then after just a week lol. Gonna just keep up with what I'm doing and hope for the best

shellonia · 22-11-2009, 10:47 PM

Yes keep it up even if response seems slow.I agreewith Bex about learning to do baytril injections-you know its going the right place whereas with a syringe it can be a bit nerve-racking.Your vet may be one that gives it orally as I think this is a more recent idea,but I was told it tastes disgusting!!poor little thing-I'm sure he'll pull through with all the tlc he's having.

20-11-2009, 04:06 PM	#21
Bindi Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,157	Sending big hugs and positive vibes... __________________

22-11-2009, 05:15 PM	#25
Mortifera Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stafford Posts: 42	hi guys, still not a great deal of improvement managing to get the antibiotics in her by squirting them down the back of the throat so she cant spit it back up, and keeping her warm too, still can't get her to eat though anymore suggestions? still keeping up with daily baths and introduced some steam to her today to try clear some mucus, ive got a feeding tube, but when i open her mouth i cant see where it's meant to go and i dont want to hurt her or do anymore damage trying. Tried her on all sorts of food, including naughty banana, she looked interested in the banana then just closed her eyes again she's not eaten in a week now __________________

22-11-2009, 05:38 PM	#27
Mortifera Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stafford Posts: 42	yeah tried cucumber Back at the vets on weds, if she hasnt improved at all by then ill ask him about other options my shower has a kool steam function so might try sitting her in there lol without the shower running obv :P __________________

22-11-2009, 06:33 PM	#28
lizzy k Member Incubating Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Posts: 198	I know what you are going through as one of my horsfields was very ill with pneumonia and it was several weeks before he started eating again. I managed to tempt him with little gem lettuce - possibly not the best thing but it was a start. Like you I also bathed him in reptoboost and I left his heat on 24/7. Thankfully he's fine now. All the best with your little one. __________________ Liz

22-11-2009, 10:33 PM	#29
Mortifera Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Stafford Posts: 42	really weeks? I guess I can stop panicking then after just a week lol. Gonna just keep up with what I'm doing and hope for the best __________________

20-11-2009, 05:30 PM	#22
tartaruga amore Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,353	sand & soil will be great when she is better, but might stick to her poor nose at the mo, if it does, put it to one side until she is better and use newspaper when she is in the bath, use a bit of sponge and gently drip the water on the top of her head, they normally react by sticking their head up, it helps flush out the nose

20-11-2009, 08:32 PM	#23
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	as you are aware tortoise cannot cough as a result mucous can build below i have copied and pasted some advice given by hannah an exotics vet hope it helps wishing your tort a full and speedy recovery You can help clear the mucus by lots of steam in an enclosed container - a large plastic tub with a bowl of boiling water in ( that they cant get at or touch) 2-3 times daily can act as a mucus lifter ( they dont have the ability to cough as not got a real diaphragm so mucus sits in the airways). just a thought that may help a little. If you feel confident, holding the mouth open and rolling a cotton wool bud tip along the hard palate towards the nares can also help remove mucus . Hannah __________________ hb

20-11-2009, 10:39 PM	#24
bextress Junior Member Egg Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 19	I you feel confident enough to do so, ask your vet to show you how to inject the antibiotics yourself, its a more reliable (and concentrated) way of getting them in. Also you may have to start tube feeding. A humid environment may help her breathing. The vet may suggest an x-ray to see to what extent the pneumonia has spread, if this is done on a regular basis ie every 3-4 days then it is easy to see improvement or deterioration. good luck x

22-11-2009, 05:19 PM	#26
linda Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: west midlands Posts: 17,134	you coukld ask the vet about inserting a stomach tube for feeding however a week isnt a long time for a tort the impotant thing is keeping hydration up especailly whilst you have increased temps to assist the antibiotics lots of warm baths in a steamy room you could try cucumber keeping fingers crossed for your poorly chap xx

22-11-2009, 10:47 PM	#30
shellonia Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central s england Posts: 1,534	Yes keep it up even if response seems slow.I agreewith Bex about learning to do baytril injections-you know its going the right place whereas with a syringe it can be a bit nerve-racking.Your vet may be one that gives it orally as I think this is a more recent idea,but I was told it tastes disgusting!!poor little thing-I'm sure he'll pull through with all the tlc he's having.

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