My Tunisian Spur-Thigh " Miles " Seems to be struggling with breathing?

AdamK · 12-01-2011, 05:51 PM

i think my tortoise is ok but recently.. he doesnt seem half as happy.. when i bath him he seems to not like it and afterwards continuously forces his head right out and back in? anyone know why he does this?

gregnobes · 12-01-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamK

i think my tortoise is ok but recently.. he doesnt seem half as happy.. when i bath him he seems to not like it and afterwards continuously forces his head right out and back in? anyone know why he does this?

is there any discharge coming from his noise?

AdamK · 12-01-2011, 06:02 PM

no discharge...

TortBabe · 12-01-2011, 06:06 PM

I would up his temps a little and see if this might help, when I got one of my Tunisian rehomers, she done the same thing, so I upped the temps day and night and it seemed to help.Do you use a ceramic heater for night times? Tunisians need over night heat, their temps shouldn't drop below 18 0C.

AdamK · 12-01-2011, 06:08 PM

all i've got is a uv lamp and a ceramic heat lamp that goes on at 7am and i turn it off 12 hours later.. then at night i just leave a heat mat on.. The temp doesn't drop below 18 though. What equipment do i need? and at the state he's in at the minute is it life threatening to him? to be honest he looks in great condition, i just never know? Thanks people

TortBabe · 12-01-2011, 06:13 PM

Sometimes I notice my torts doing this, it may be nothing Is his breathing noisy? If you are at all worried then you could maybe take himto a reptile vet. As long as his temps are not below 18 then he should be ok. You'd need a wire clamp lamp, thermostat and ceramic heater/infra-red bulb, have a little look in the SW shop or Ebay if you want to change from a heatmat. If he isn't gasping for breath he may just be breathing heavily! Hopefully someone more experienced will be along soon

AdamK · 12-01-2011, 06:14 PM

thank you tortbabe

vikiilou89 · 12-01-2011, 06:14 PM

im worried now, mine does this ocassionally i thought it was a way of them cleaning them self and drying off it that makes sense?! lol

yuna1971 · 12-01-2011, 06:50 PM

Adam, you mentioned just now in chat that it was whilst he was in the bath. I gather the water was warmish/lukewarm. Have you noticed this just when he is in the bath? Or does he do this most or all of the time?
If its just in the bath, no discharge, no noises when you see him breathe...he might just be trying to poo. Or...he might have a stone.
Im not saying it is...but it might be a simple problem with a simple solution.
I dont keep a Tunisian...so other than this, yes - see what others who do keep them say.
But if its RNS...I just wonder if there might be more additional symptoms (like the above). If its a stone, it could be too much oxalates - found it such things as cabbage, broccoli, sprouts and dandylion (correct me anyone if I have this wrong). I am guessing...but are you feeding him any of the above?? And if you are...is this everyday??
I wouldnt like to stick my neck out so I would see if anyone gives you any more advice. xx

Try not to worry Adam...not yet. Im sure we can get to the bottom of it. If not, and all else fails then it could be a trip to a reptile vet. A reputable list - is on the forum somewhere or someone in your area could recommend one. xx

NATURALIS · 12-01-2011, 07:01 PM

so what are the temps day and night ?,does he only do this in water or just after?, what substrate is he kept on ?, does he open his mouth when breathing ?, when was the last time he was checked for worms ?

12-01-2011, 05:51 PM	#1
AdamK Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 52	My Tunisian Spur-Thigh " Miles " Seems to be struggling with breathing? i think my tortoise is ok but recently.. he doesnt seem half as happy.. when i bath him he seems to not like it and afterwards continuously forces his head right out and back in? anyone know why he does this?

12-01-2011, 06:06 PM	#4
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	I would up his temps a little and see if this might help, when I got one of my Tunisian rehomers, she done the same thing, so I upped the temps day and night and it seemed to help.Do you use a ceramic heater for night times? Tunisians need over night heat, their temps shouldn't drop below 18 0C. __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

12-01-2011, 06:13 PM	#6
TortBabe Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 6,919	Sometimes I notice my torts doing this, it may be nothing Is his breathing noisy? If you are at all worried then you could maybe take himto a reptile vet. As long as his temps are not below 18 then he should be ok. You'd need a wire clamp lamp, thermostat and ceramic heater/infra-red bulb, have a little look in the SW shop or Ebay if you want to change from a heatmat. If he isn't gasping for breath he may just be breathing heavily! Hopefully someone more experienced will be along soon __________________ Busy Mum to ~ 2 Kids, 2 Yorkies, 1 Horsfield, 6 Hermanns, 2 Iberas, 6 Tunisians, 2 Indian Stars and 2 Pancakes

12-01-2011, 06:14 PM	#8
vikiilou89 Member Hatched Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 416	im worried now, mine does this ocassionally i thought it was a way of them cleaning them self and drying off it that makes sense?! lol __________________ 0.0.1 Horsefield (Georgie)

12-01-2011, 06:50 PM	#9
yuna1971 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bristol Posts: 7,157	Adam, you mentioned just now in chat that it was whilst he was in the bath. I gather the water was warmish/lukewarm. Have you noticed this just when he is in the bath? Or does he do this most or all of the time? If its just in the bath, no discharge, no noises when you see him breathe...he might just be trying to poo. Or...he might have a stone. Im not saying it is...but it might be a simple problem with a simple solution. I dont keep a Tunisian...so other than this, yes - see what others who do keep them say. But if its RNS...I just wonder if there might be more additional symptoms (like the above). If its a stone, it could be too much oxalates - found it such things as cabbage, broccoli, sprouts and dandylion (correct me anyone if I have this wrong). I am guessing...but are you feeding him any of the above?? And if you are...is this everyday?? I wouldnt like to stick my neck out so I would see if anyone gives you any more advice. xx Try not to worry Adam...not yet. Im sure we can get to the bottom of it. If not, and all else fails then it could be a trip to a reptile vet. A reputable list - is on the forum somewhere or someone in your area could recommend one. xx __________________ Rach Lily's Movie. http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=68025

12-01-2011, 06:02 PM	#3
AdamK Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 52	no discharge...

12-01-2011, 06:08 PM	#5
AdamK Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 52	all i've got is a uv lamp and a ceramic heat lamp that goes on at 7am and i turn it off 12 hours later.. then at night i just leave a heat mat on.. The temp doesn't drop below 18 though. What equipment do i need? and at the state he's in at the minute is it life threatening to him? to be honest he looks in great condition, i just never know? Thanks people

12-01-2011, 07:01 PM	#10
NATURALIS Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: cheshire Posts: 3,472	so what are the temps day and night ?,does he only do this in water or just after?, what substrate is he kept on ?, does he open his mouth when breathing ?, when was the last time he was checked for worms ?

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