Recommended reading

[Suze65]

My vet recommended this book, it's easy to understand and is good to refer to, to help you understand your tortoises illness or be more aware of illness. Tortoise medicine and diagnostics have really moved on in the last few years. We were talking about respiratory problems. There are so many more ways of diagnosing and so many reasons for respiratory problems. It's a very interesting book.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Essentials-...ne+and+surgery

[Jan W]

Thanks Suze, I see there are only 2 left. I am going to drop hints for my next birthday present, probably along with John's book too.

[Suze65]

My husband has actually ordered it from the wordery or booksplea.se
Both of these sites were cheaper . There were more sellers on Amazon.

[CherryBrandy]

looks good Suze. I wish they would do a book like piggy potions which give practical advice and suggested (human) medicines to use on piggies. I use some human medicines on tortoises also (over the years workshops/conferences/books/vets/herpetology courses).... like savlon, eye drops, ear drops, sinex....but should we shouldn't we? I mean after all there cant just be antibiotics to treat RNS..and last two times my vet said no re resilience etc. If we get a cold we don't rush out for antibiotics. Paracetemol first is the advice with honey....looks good though Suze thanks CB

[Suze65]

Originally Posted by CherryBrandy

looks good Suze. I wish they would do a book like piggy potions which give practical advice and suggested (human) medicines to use on piggies. I use some human medicines on tortoises also (over the years workshops/conferences/books/vets/herpetology courses).... like savlon, eye drops, ear drops, sinex....but should we shouldn't we? I mean after all there cant just be antibiotics to treat RNS..and last two times my vet said no re resilience etc. If we get a cold we don't rush out for antibiotics. Paracetemol first is the advice with honey....looks good though Suze thanks CB

The point about RNS and antibiotics is now, that instead of rushing in with antibiotics, baytril, like we used to, sometimes just heat might cure it, or flushing out the nares or nebulising. It depends what causing it, and diagnosis of the cause these days is much better. And before giving baytril, vets now, take samples and deter if the cause is bacterial or fungal, and then if bacterial , they can determin which antibiotic it will respond to. Some vets are finding that ct scans are the best way to diagnose where in the respiratory tract the infection is and how best to treat. My vet was explaining to me today that tortoise /reptile medicine has really moved on. And recommended this book as a good read.

[CherryBrandy]

oh yes I agree. and can see the points from the vet. I would just like to see an equivalent paracetemol. I use sinex tablets broken up and syringed in.

its hearbreaking when they get bad RNS and gasping for air. There must be something better than sinex tablets which help decongest. CB

[Suze65]

Originally Posted by CherryBrandy

oh yes I agree. and can see the points from the vet. I would just like to see an equivalent paracetemol. I use sinex tablets broken up and syringed in.

its hearbreaking when they get bad RNS and gasping for air. There must be something better than sinex tablets which help decongest. CB

Nebulising really helps decongest

[CherryBrandy]

I must be rubbish Suze as I try nebulising and they hate the noise of the machine it stresses them out but I do try and with the F10 also. Sinex seems to work but quantity is hit and miss.

There needs to be a magic pill !!! CB

[emma_mcraf]

Thanks for the link, Suze. I'm going to buy this one. Many vets have no experience with exotics and I know from personal experience within the practice where my son works that they will phone other exotic specialists for advice, so it's good to have something to hand to refer to. Your vet sounds like a good one!

[emma_mcraf]

I've ordered it from Books Etc. £34.95.
Thanks for the recommendation, Suze.