My big girl is not eating :(

[ClareandCo]

Originally Posted by Evie

Hana could a second opinion from another specialist vet be an option ?

I know the OP is in London, but it might be worthwhile letting us know which part in case anyone can recommend a specialist. A couple spring to mind.

Three people to administer the feeding/treatment and having to take the tortoise to the surgery must be causing such a lot of stress for all concerned, but particularly the tortoise, which surely is not going to aid her recovery.

[egyptiandan64]

Sounds like a liver or kidneys problem to me

Danny

[Evie]

Originally Posted by egyptiandan64

Sounds like a liver or kidneys problem to me

Danny

I wondered where you were on this Danny will an U/S be the next step then ?

[Hanako]

Wouldn't kidney stones show on the Xray? Although the kidney did quite stand out on the picture if you look at the picture in my first post (although I am not sure if it is supposed to be like this or not).

I am on North London. The vet I am attending is just down the road for me, which makes it easier to fit in the vet and my work. The specialist I know of is about 1-2 hours drive, it is C J Hall in Sheen (SW14) but I don't really have a very good experience with them. A year ago one of my babies stopped eating. the vet gave her the tube through her neck; at that time I asked whether they can put the tube somehow out of the reach of her leg otherwise she may pull it out. I was assured that she won't pull it out. Well, she did about 3 days after the tube was put in. So I paid a lot of money (over £500 for the surgery) and it was just money flashed down the toilet. the tortoise ended up much worse off because she had additionally an open wound in her neck. So not sure now how to proceed. My employer is not particularly understanding and taking time off work can be a problem, so driving somewhere 2 hours is not easy.

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Hanako

Wouldn't kidney stones show on the Xray? Although the kidney did quite stand out on the picture if you look at the picture in my first post (although I am not sure if it is supposed to be like this or not).

I am on North London. The vet I am attending is just down the road for me, which makes it easier to fit in the vet and my work. The specialist I know of is about 1-2 hours drive, it is C J Hall in Sheen (SW14) but I don't really have a very good experience with them. A year ago one of my babies stopped eating. the vet gave her the tube through her neck; at that time I asked whether they can put the tube somehow out of the reach of her leg otherwise she may pull it out. I was assured that she won't pull it out. Well, she did about 3 days after the tube was put in. So I paid a lot of money (over £500 for the surgery) and it was just money flashed down the toilet. the tortoise ended up much worse off because she had additionally an open wound in her neck. So not sure now how to proceed. My employer is not particularly understanding and taking time off work can be a problem, so driving somewhere 2 hours is not easy.

It does not have to be stones, for the problems to be kidney.
Sometimes legs or body swell up with kidney problems.

[Hanako]

Originally Posted by sandy

It does not have to be stones, for the problems to be kidney.
Sometimes legs or body swell up with kidney problems.

She does not seem to have anything swollen up. In fact, she looks quite thin (there is a huge space under her shell).

[ClareandCo]

Which part of North London?

[Hanako]

Originally Posted by ClareandCo

Which part of North London?

I am sorry, I don't really want to post my location on a public forum, considering how many tortoises I have.

[ClareandCo]

Originally Posted by Hanako

I am sorry, I don't really want to post my location on a public forum, considering how many tortoises I have.

I don't think you could be traced if for example you said Camden, Islington or whatever.

I am trying to help.

[egyptiandan64]

As Sandy said it's not always stones that are the problem. Infection was what I was thinking, but could be a few other things. Not sure what the cost would be but you could easily have her scoped (going into the body through a small hole with a fiber optic camera) and the vet could easily see what was going on with the organs.

Danny