Has George got an infection?

Littleem · 07-02-2009, 12:36 PM

Im worried about little George (again LOL)...When he was vet checked he said he had a flange on his beak but don't think he wanted to treat it at that point (got various other stuff wrong with him at mo). Now Im presuming by this he meant an infection? Anyway while bathing him I noticed some browny flaky stuff around his neck area and in the the groves on the bottom of his shell. I have (very gently) removed some of it in the bath but Im worried that if it he could now have a full blown infection?? His eyes also seem to have worsened again and are sticking up, vet thought Vit A deficiency now Im wondering if that is linked and its a bacterial/fungal infection or something??

Em

**Alan1** · 07-02-2009, 01:00 PM

Doesn't it just mean a kind of a ridge or edge, like it's slightly turned in or out? That's what I understand a flange to be

sandy · 07-02-2009, 01:39 PM

Is your vet a tortoise vet?
As most vets who have little knowledge of torts, say they have a vit A deficiancy

Some can have, but its not that common.
If I were you I would try another vet. As this one certainly has not given you any advice as to what the problem is.
Where abouts are you , as someone might know of a good tort vet near you?

Littleem · 07-02-2009, 03:12 PM

Hiya
Im in York (UK) yes he is supposed to be an exotic specialist and says that he deals with other RFs too..He did seem really good at the time but now Im questioning his judgment? Im not sure what a flange means to be honest but his beak doesn't look fantastic and he does have problems eating - caught him choking on a piece of lettuce yesterday..I have been and bought some iodine as I don't suppose it will do much harm to try to clean it up a bit anyway til he is at the vets again...he is supposed to be getting his 2nd check up soon but wanted to double check that iodine would be OK? As far as I remember Vet said metabolic probs (has soft shell underneath) is small and light for age (but felt not too bad for his size)?Vit A deficiency (eyes) and flange on beak - faecal check for parasites came back normal...I knew he would have probs when I took him on (kind of a rescue) but have never had a sick tort b4 all mine have had fairly good health up to now so this is all new to me. Just wondered what an infection would look like?
Em

alotoffluff · 07-02-2009, 03:14 PM

Im with Sandy here. George doesnt seem to be well bless him and i think you should seek a second opinion.
There is a list of good reptile vets in the forum so you should be able to find one near you. Let us know how you get on!

Littleem · 07-02-2009, 05:06 PM

Yes I will...thank you!

sandy · 07-02-2009, 05:06 PM

If you use iodine please make sure its diluted well. It should look like weak tea.
Tortoises can generally eat ok with a damaged beak or one thats a little too long.
I am surprised he choaked on lettuce.

Littleem · 07-02-2009, 05:13 PM

Hi Sandy thanks, will do - am going to have a go tonight

Yeah I was surprised too...was just coincidence that I thought I'd better see if he was eating OK. He had a really squeeky beak when I first got him, sounded like he was chewing rubber whever he opened his mouth, seems to have settled down a bit now but I don't know i there is any connection..
Em

07-02-2009, 05:41 PM

he is suppose to be a good vet, although i have never used him, so i guess only you know, but i would phone up, have a word with the practise nurse, explain how you feel, say you are not sure you understand everything he meant, give them a day then phone back and the nurse after speaking to the vet, should be able to explain to you better, then make your mind up, cos otherwise i think it would be leeds

i think that he is still here shows how much work you have put into him, because i really thought he would be dead by now, { this WAS BEFORE em took him! }

Littleem · 07-02-2009, 05:56 PM

Thanks Linda..you have been a great support, as have a lot of people on here!! You don't know me that well but when I put my mind to it I am a determined little lass

He has been cleaned up with iodine (diluted) and seems a little brighter after his bath and has eaten. I have managed to find the vets e-mail address so I'm going to drop him an e-mail with the questions I have, hopefully he will be back to me on Monday...
Em

07-02-2009, 12:36 PM	#1
Littleem Member Incubating Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK (York) Posts: 163	Has George got an infection? Im worried about little George (again LOL)...When he was vet checked he said he had a flange on his beak but don't think he wanted to treat it at that point (got various other stuff wrong with him at mo). Now Im presuming by this he meant an infection? Anyway while bathing him I noticed some browny flaky stuff around his neck area and in the the groves on the bottom of his shell. I have (very gently) removed some of it in the bath but Im worried that if it he could now have a full blown infection?? His eyes also seem to have worsened again and are sticking up, vet thought Vit A deficiency now Im wondering if that is linked and its a bacterial/fungal infection or something?? Em __________________ Mum to Bille & Charlie

07-02-2009, 01:39 PM	#3
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	Is your vet a tortoise vet? As most vets who have little knowledge of torts, say they have a vit A deficiancy Some can have, but its not that common. If I were you I would try another vet. As this one certainly has not given you any advice as to what the problem is. Where abouts are you , as someone might know of a good tort vet near you? __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

07-02-2009, 03:12 PM	#4
Littleem Member Incubating Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK (York) Posts: 163	Hiya Im in York (UK) yes he is supposed to be an exotic specialist and says that he deals with other RFs too..He did seem really good at the time but now Im questioning his judgment? Im not sure what a flange means to be honest but his beak doesn't look fantastic and he does have problems eating - caught him choking on a piece of lettuce yesterday..I have been and bought some iodine as I don't suppose it will do much harm to try to clean it up a bit anyway til he is at the vets again...he is supposed to be getting his 2nd check up soon but wanted to double check that iodine would be OK? As far as I remember Vet said metabolic probs (has soft shell underneath) is small and light for age (but felt not too bad for his size)?Vit A deficiency (eyes) and flange on beak - faecal check for parasites came back normal...I knew he would have probs when I took him on (kind of a rescue) but have never had a sick tort b4 all mine have had fairly good health up to now so this is all new to me. Just wondered what an infection would look like? Em __________________ Mum to Bille & Charlie

07-02-2009, 05:06 PM	#6
Littleem Member Incubating Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK (York) Posts: 163	Yes I will...thank you! __________________ Mum to Bille & Charlie

07-02-2009, 05:06 PM	#7
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	If you use iodine please make sure its diluted well. It should look like weak tea. Tortoises can generally eat ok with a damaged beak or one thats a little too long. I am surprised he choaked on lettuce. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

07-02-2009, 01:00 PM	#2
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	Doesn't it just mean a kind of a ridge or edge, like it's slightly turned in or out? That's what I understand a flange to be

07-02-2009, 03:14 PM	#5
alotoffluff Senior Member Adult Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: greenwich, london, previously born and brought up in Kent! Posts: 2,127	Im with Sandy here. George doesnt seem to be well bless him and i think you should seek a second opinion. There is a list of good reptile vets in the forum so you should be able to find one near you. Let us know how you get on!

07-02-2009, 05:13 PM	#8
Littleem Member Incubating Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK (York) Posts: 163	Hi Sandy thanks, will do - am going to have a go tonight Yeah I was surprised too...was just coincidence that I thought I'd better see if he was eating OK. He had a really squeeky beak when I first got him, sounded like he was chewing rubber whever he opened his mouth, seems to have settled down a bit now but I don't know i there is any connection.. Em __________________ Mum to Bille & Charlie

07-02-2009, 05:41 PM	#9
purplelinda Guest Posts: n/a	he is suppose to be a good vet, although i have never used him, so i guess only you know, but i would phone up, have a word with the practise nurse, explain how you feel, say you are not sure you understand everything he meant, give them a day then phone back and the nurse after speaking to the vet, should be able to explain to you better, then make your mind up, cos otherwise i think it would be leeds i think that he is still here shows how much work you have put into him, because i really thought he would be dead by now, { this WAS BEFORE em took him! }

07-02-2009, 05:56 PM	#10
Littleem Member Incubating Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK (York) Posts: 163	Thanks Linda..you have been a great support, as have a lot of people on here!! You don't know me that well but when I put my mind to it I am a determined little lass He has been cleaned up with iodine (diluted) and seems a little brighter after his bath and has eaten. I have managed to find the vets e-mail address so I'm going to drop him an e-mail with the questions I have, hopefully he will be back to me on Monday... Em __________________ Mum to Bille & Charlie

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