Sick tortoise not sure if I trust my vet

cherylahutch · 31-07-2013, 04:35 PM

As most will know my tortoise Pricilla died a little while ago. My vet said if the two that were in with her would be fine but now Bella my female has a puffy eye and has stopped eating and isn't doing much. My males eyes look fine but he's not eating much and sleeps lots as well. I'm a bit concerned about taking them to my vet as they are not experts and obviously I lost the last one. There isn't a specialist vet in our area. The nearest one is a good hour away at least.
I don't know if I should trust my vet with my pair and hope that they can be treated or wait till my husband has a day off in the week to get them to the specialist vet as I can't drive that far by myself. Any ideas what it could be Dan said Pricilla sounded like a protozoan infection. I have the medicain still from Pricilla but wouldn't have a hope of getting it in Bellas mouth because she wouldn't let me near her.

Merlin M · 31-07-2013, 04:50 PM

Oh no what a nightmare!!!
Sounds like they both need to see a vet asap! And like you I don't think I would trust the one you saw last time... sorry I can't really help

sandy · 31-07-2013, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherylahutch

As most will know my tortoise Pricilla died a little while ago. My vet said if the two that were in with her would be fine but now Bella my female has a puffy eye and has stopped eating and isn't doing much. My males eyes look fine but he's not eating much and sleeps lots as well. I'm a bit concerned about taking them to my vet as they are not experts and obviously I lost the last one. There isn't a specialist vet in our area. The nearest one is a good hour away at least.
I don't know if I should trust my vet with my pair and hope that they can be treated or wait till my husband has a day off in the week to get them to the specialist vet as I can't drive that far by myself. Any ideas what it could be Dan said Pricilla sounded like a protozoan infection. I have the medicain still from Pricilla but wouldn't have a hope of getting it in Bellas mouth because she wouldn't let me near her.

Does your vet get advice from a tortoise vet? if they are good, they should know to ask someone with tort experience.

cherylahutch · 31-07-2013, 04:56 PM

I don't know f they do or not. I know there are six vets at the practice with lots of experience but not a reptile expert. I know pescotts in Morpeth is one of the best in the country but its quite a distance I don't know if they would help my vet out if asked. It's looking like my pair have been ill when I got them or Pricilla was I've not had them very long. It is a nightmare because in the back of my head I'm thinking did she die because of the treatment not being right or would she have anyway. I know I need to do something for them quick but not sure who to be ringing.

wks9362 · 31-07-2013, 04:57 PM

Sorry I can't give advice hun but hope all is ok !

lonelylayla · 31-07-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherylahutch

As most will know my tortoise Pricilla died a little while ago. My vet said if the two that were in with her would be fine but now Bella my female has a puffy eye and has stopped eating and isn't doing much. My males eyes look fine but he's not eating much and sleeps lots as well. I'm a bit concerned about taking them to my vet as they are not experts and obviously I lost the last one. There isn't a specialist vet in our area. The nearest one is a good hour away at least.
I don't know if I should trust my vet with my pair and hope that they can be treated or wait till my husband has a day off in the week to get them to the specialist vet as I can't drive that far by myself. Any ideas what it could be Dan said Pricilla sounded like a protozoan infection. I have the medicain still from Pricilla but wouldn't have a hope of getting it in Bellas mouth because she wouldn't let me near her.

Oh no, not again - that's awful Cheryl. Have had some experience with my local "non specialised" vet - now travel an hour or hour and a half depending on who I can see first. Is there someone who could give you a lift? Or, maybe someone on SW who lives near you? If I was closer than South Wales I would be over - hope it gets sorted for you, everything crossed x

cherylahutch · 31-07-2013, 05:51 PM

I've rung prescotts and earliest appointment I can get is Tuesday they do evening ones then as well so could get there then but I don't want to leave it to get worse. Feel like having a good cry at the moment.

lonelylayla · 31-07-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherylahutch

I've rung prescotts and earliest appointment I can get is Tuesday they do evening ones then as well so could get there then but I don't want to leave it to get worse. Feel like having a good cry at the moment.

Maybe phone back, explain you have lost one already, could they give you an emergency evening one? Don't be afraid to telll them how upset and scared you are. Hugs

Merlin M · 31-07-2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonelylayla

Maybe phone back, explain you have lost one already, could they give you an emergency evening one? Don't be afraid to telll them how upset and scared you are. Hugs

Yes I agree with this, worth a try!!

Hanako · 31-07-2013, 06:36 PM

I am not an expert so you don't have to follow this advice. My Goldie was very ill, stopped eating, lost a lot of weight. She was then tube fed (doctor inserted feeding tube through her neck) and she pulled it out. So when the situation looked most desperate, I started nebulising with F10. She didn't appear to have respiratory illness, no bubbles around her nostrils, no difficult breathing, in fact I still don't know what exactly was wrong with her, but at that time I was running out of my options and from desperation I would try anything. I had antibiotic from doctor which I couldn't give her because she pulled the tube out, she was not eating anything at all, she was to tiny for me to open her mouth by force...

Anyway, my understanding is that problems from having worms and respiratory problems are the most frequent illnesses for tortoises (correct me anyone if I am wrong). If I was you, I would send off her poop sample to check the worms and try the nebuliser for respiratory problems. If you do it correctly, it shouldn't harm her and you have nothing to loose.

Keep her hydrated (frequent baths in reptoboost and abidec vitamins) and increase temperature if you can. Good luck. Your tortoises is a fighter, she will pull through!

31-07-2013, 04:35 PM	#1
cherylahutch Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northumberland Posts: 2,170	Sick tortoise not sure if I trust my vet As most will know my tortoise Pricilla died a little while ago. My vet said if the two that were in with her would be fine but now Bella my female has a puffy eye and has stopped eating and isn't doing much. My males eyes look fine but he's not eating much and sleeps lots as well. I'm a bit concerned about taking them to my vet as they are not experts and obviously I lost the last one. There isn't a specialist vet in our area. The nearest one is a good hour away at least. I don't know if I should trust my vet with my pair and hope that they can be treated or wait till my husband has a day off in the week to get them to the specialist vet as I can't drive that far by myself. Any ideas what it could be Dan said Pricilla sounded like a protozoan infection. I have the medicain still from Pricilla but wouldn't have a hope of getting it in Bellas mouth because she wouldn't let me near her. __________________ Proud owner of Elvis, Padme, Bella,Ruby and Daisy the Horsfields, Mork and Mindi the Indian stars, Toby and Scarlett the Redfoots Yoshi and Cleopatra the Egyptians and Sam the Labrador. .

31-07-2013, 04:50 PM	#2
Merlin M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 4,186	Oh no what a nightmare!!! Sounds like they both need to see a vet asap! And like you I don't think I would trust the one you saw last time... sorry I can't really help __________________ 1:1:1 Horsfields (Misha, Amber and Teabag) 1:0:0 Dog: Rocco, Rottweiler cross 1 husband (Russ)

31-07-2013, 04:56 PM	#4
cherylahutch Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northumberland Posts: 2,170	I don't know f they do or not. I know there are six vets at the practice with lots of experience but not a reptile expert. I know pescotts in Morpeth is one of the best in the country but its quite a distance I don't know if they would help my vet out if asked. It's looking like my pair have been ill when I got them or Pricilla was I've not had them very long. It is a nightmare because in the back of my head I'm thinking did she die because of the treatment not being right or would she have anyway. I know I need to do something for them quick but not sure who to be ringing. __________________ Proud owner of Elvis, Padme, Bella,Ruby and Daisy the Horsfields, Mork and Mindi the Indian stars, Toby and Scarlett the Redfoots Yoshi and Cleopatra the Egyptians and Sam the Labrador. .

31-07-2013, 05:51 PM	#7
cherylahutch Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northumberland Posts: 2,170	I've rung prescotts and earliest appointment I can get is Tuesday they do evening ones then as well so could get there then but I don't want to leave it to get worse. Feel like having a good cry at the moment. __________________ Proud owner of Elvis, Padme, Bella,Ruby and Daisy the Horsfields, Mork and Mindi the Indian stars, Toby and Scarlett the Redfoots Yoshi and Cleopatra the Egyptians and Sam the Labrador. .

31-07-2013, 04:57 PM	#5
wks9362 Member Hatched Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 370	Sorry I can't give advice hun but hope all is ok !

31-07-2013, 06:36 PM	#10
Hanako Member Hatchling Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 690	I am not an expert so you don't have to follow this advice. My Goldie was very ill, stopped eating, lost a lot of weight. She was then tube fed (doctor inserted feeding tube through her neck) and she pulled it out. So when the situation looked most desperate, I started nebulising with F10. She didn't appear to have respiratory illness, no bubbles around her nostrils, no difficult breathing, in fact I still don't know what exactly was wrong with her, but at that time I was running out of my options and from desperation I would try anything. I had antibiotic from doctor which I couldn't give her because she pulled the tube out, she was not eating anything at all, she was to tiny for me to open her mouth by force... Anyway, my understanding is that problems from having worms and respiratory problems are the most frequent illnesses for tortoises (correct me anyone if I am wrong). If I was you, I would send off her poop sample to check the worms and try the nebuliser for respiratory problems. If you do it correctly, it shouldn't harm her and you have nothing to loose. Keep her hydrated (frequent baths in reptoboost and abidec vitamins) and increase temperature if you can. Good luck. Your tortoises is a fighter, she will pull through!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)