Feeling funny after seeing the vet....my tort with a deformed shell...

[derrick0312]

After seeing my tort became less active over the past few weeks, I brought my tort to see a well-recommended vet (reptile specialist) in Reading today. He is really good and knowledgeable. He did a physical examination on my tort and I was glad to hear that everything about her is fine. He also did a smear-faeces test for worms and he thinks it's negative.

However, he mentioned something that have me worried since, and I am feeling a bit upset:

My tort was born with a slightly deformed shell but the breeder said there is no problem about that. I have posted a thread about the deformed shell before:

http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=42270

However, the vet said tort born with deformed shell is likely to have some 'hidden' problem. His point being, when the tort is growing in egg, a deformed shell may reflect there's some problem occurred during growth, and that some organ may not be 'well-formed'...it could be kidney, lung or any other things. He even went on to say that some tort may not grow very well and, I am quoting, will 'pass' away slowly...

This really caught me off-guard, and now whenever I look at my tort I have this kind of worry and upset.

The reason I am posting is that i know there are lots of breeder here, and lots of experience keeper around. I just want to ask, given such vast experience, does my tort deformed shell really mean she will have problem growing and living?

The vet also said I should keep an eye on my tort's growth, and if she shows no sign of growing, then we need to start doing some test. However, he said for a baby tort (mine is 9 month old), there's really very little we can do about it - and for the two months I have my tort, she has not gained any weight or size even she's eating well....

Could anyone give me some insight in this? and I am not badmouthing the vet in any way. He's really kind and has stressed that 'there's only a chance'. I think it's just he has the obligation to let me know about such possibility.

[Bindi]

Hi Derrick

I'm sure, as you say, the vet was just being responsible and warning you what 'might' happen or something 'might' be wrong, there is probably no real way of knowing, just like there is no real way of knowing if you take on an older tort with a less than perfect previous history may have problems in the future.

I bought a tort a few years ago when i was new to all this that had a bumpy shell and scute abnormalities. I really wanted reassurance that the tort was going to be ok, but of course, no-one could really give me any definite answers.

All I can say is that you have that little tort now, and have faith in yourself that you are gong to give it the best possible care and the best chance possible for a long and healthy life. I reckon chances are that she'll outlive us all

[16 shells]

I agree the way i read this is you have a tort that may not say, advance much in weight and size and is performing naturaly, doing what he should. I would'nt bother with the mentioned test's. Out of three Herman's i have one has chugged along nicely smaller than the other's. Vet saw it after it were 2 years old, said the tort might have had a bad start. Possible as it were an import, stick neck out, never needed a vet since just 6 years old now.

[Easter Bunny]

Aww, you poor thing, you must feel really devastated, i know I would. Hopefully it's only a slight chance that he may get poorly in the future. All you can do is love him and look after him the best you can and hopefully he will be ok.

Does that go for odd scutes aswell? because I'm worried now because my Reggie has an odd scute.


lynne x

[Bindi]

Originally Posted by LYNNEEASTER

Does that go for odd scutes aswell? because I'm worried now because my Reggie has an odd scute.


lynne x

I really don't think that scute irregularites (from what I've been told and have read) make any difference to the well being of a tort Lynne, it just makes them special

[shellonia]

Hi Derrick.When you say'deformed' can you tell us in what way?
I,ve had one or 2 with scute irregularities who are fine,think that's just not getting the incubation temps quite right.Is this what you are referring to?

[egyptiandan64]

Oh I so do love vets That small extra scute (most likely genetic in nature and not caused by incubation temperatures) has no bearing on what went on inside the tortoise as it was forming. No one can say for sure what is going on inside your tortoise, that only time will tell, but that small extra scute will definately have no bearing on it.

Danny

[Bindi]

I think it was more the slight indent that runs along the spine of the shell that Derrick was worried about Dan

[egyptiandan64]

Goes to show how much I was worried about that There's no problem with that either. It may flatten out and it may not, but that won't affect what is going on inside the tortoise either, nor will it affect how he/she grows.

Danny

[Easter Bunny]

Great news!