Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We we went to the vet today. He was very nice and had loads of credentials. Just look at this web site: Northside Animal Hospital - Staten Island, NY
He said that she was dehydrated, so he hydrated her. She came back looking a little like a turtle balloon. Then he said that her eyes didn't seem too bad and he just wanted me to apply a vitamin A ointment twice a day. He injected her with 20MG/ML Baytril. He gave me some syringes, and said I had to inject her under the skin once a day for 7 days. He showed me how to do it. Also said that I probably was not keeping her at the right temp. for hibernation, and that she had to come out of it right away. This was the cause of all the problems. Said to raise the temp in the vivarium to about 87 - 90 degrees for now, and when she was stable, we would determine the right degrees to keep her at for the rest of the winter. No hibernation. Then put her out in the Spring. The charge for all the medication, and the visit was $165.00. I don't know if that was good or not, as I have never been to a vet for a turtle. I have to bring her back next Thurs. I just hope I can give these needles ok. Poor Nora. Well hopefully we are on the right track now. What do you guys think about all this? Does this seem right?

Having not examine the turtle firsthand, it's hard for us to comment on whether the Dr. did the right thing. I can certainly understand what was done, and why. It's all fairly standard. Baytril is a very powerful antibiotic, so the Vet. must have suspected some sort of respiratory ailment. Some Vets. don't like to give Baytril subcutaneously (just under the skin), but many have and will do it often with great results.

$165 is pretty pricey, but your location and the credentials of the Vet. play a big role in that.

I agree with the recommendations concerning hibernation. Trust me, though, you really want to get the humidity issue addressed! It is even more important than temperature for an Ornate!!! Get your hands on an instrument to measure humidity in exact percentage...you can buy them at any decent pet store. Shoot for an air humidity of 50 to 60 percent and no more. I'm sure others will chime in with suggestions also.

I think you're doing a good thing, Terryo. Don't let anyone discourage you simply because you've done something that every single one of us has done with our turtles...made a mistake. While difficult and upsetting, it's one of the best ways to learn.

>>Having not examine the turtle firsthand, it's hard for us to comment on whether the Dr. did the right thing. I can certainly understand what was done, and why. It's all fairly standard. Baytril is a very powerful antibiotic, so the Vet. must have suspected some sort of respiratory ailment. Some Vets. don't like to give Baytril subcutaneously (just under the skin), but many have and will do it often with great results.

Ditto on what Ken said above & below about the humidity. Based on what you've described that sounds about like what my own vet would've done. The price is high for me but I live far far away from you in the sticks in fly-over country.

I've known several people (online) over the years who live in NYC in various burroughs & when they've told me the price of anything my jaw is on the floor. 165.00 in NYC compared to some vet bills I've heard of in that area seems somewhat reasonable.

Compared to where I live NYC is a very expensive city but to me vet bills are relative.
If my pets get well it's worth any amount I pay.

A couple of weeks ago I paid a total of 150.00 for treatment for 2 of my rats who are 2 years old.. that's very old for them.
This will buy them maybe another 6 months but if I don't do everything I can do for my pets & then they die because I didn't do what could be done.. I can't live with myself. They actually have congestive heart failure & will have to take cardiac meds for the rest of their short lives.

I do this a lot with rats & I wouldn't bat an eye for a vet bill on one of my turtles.
Heck I shelled out 100 bucks for Chip who was just a wild turtle who'd been chewed by a dog then taken to a vet who didn't know how to treat turtles. He got passed to me, I paid for his treatment & at 100 bucks the vet didn't even charge me for an office call or her time.. the money was all for medications, anesthesia, & materials used to repair him.
I may seem crazy to some people for doing that.. but what I'm getting at is.. I'm trying to make you feel better for spending the money.
I think in time you'll feel it was worth it to eat mac & cheese for a week.
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PHRatz

Get your hands on an instrument to measure humidity in exact percentage...you can buy them at any decent pet store. Shoot for an air humidity of 50 to 60 percent and no more.

I have one, but I think the humidity is too high. It is round with a dial on it and the highest is in red (reads tropical)and is around 70 - 80. I was misting twice a day, and with all the plants in there,(now they really grew since she was inactive) I guess it was too high. I stopped misting, letting it dry up a bit and going down to 50 - 60 percent, put on the heat light and now the temp is 88 degrees. Tonight I will put more vit. A on her eyes. And now we can only wait and see what happens. I am a little nervous about giving the shot tomorrow, but...it has to be done...be brave..be brave!! Will keep you posted. Thanks for the encouraging words. I needed them! In this picture of Nora in better times, you can see the two gaze's one for temp. and the other for humidity.

Anyway...I love mac and cheese!!

Don't be nervous about giving the shots.. just be sure to not give the shots in the same leg twice in a row. Now the vet did tell you that the shots must go in the front legs I hope?
Never give them in the back legs because when you do that the medications basically go straight to the kidneys & out the body rather than distributing throughout the body.
I hate giving injections to reptiles, but you have to do it sometimes. It's painful for them so about all you can do is be decisive, make up your mind you are going to get it done with one poke then try to be quick with it.

Things to look out for that would make you want to call your vet back are sore looking spots at injection sites & swelling of the legs.
I've seen that happen more in smaller aquatic turtles & have seldom seen problems like that with box turtles.
Good luck with this.. in the end it's going to be worth it.
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PHRatz

>>Things to look out for that would make you want to call your vet back are sore looking spots at injection sites & swelling of the legs.

I forgot one thing.. this is something that also doesn't happen very often & I think Ric brought this up.. if a turtle vomits after an injection call the vet immediately.
It's uncommon for it to happen but no unheard of.
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PHRatz

Now the vet did tell you that the shots must go in the front legs I hope?
Never give them in the back legs because when you do that the medications basically go straight to the kidneys & out the body rather than distributing throughout the body.
I hate giving injections to reptiles, but you have to do it sometimes. It's painful for them so about all you can do is be decisive, make up your mind you are going to get it done with one poke then try to be quick with it.

Yes he did tell me to put the needle in the front legs, and alternate between the two legs. Also he said call him if I see any change (good or bad). He wants to know everything. He seemed very interested and concerned. When he gave the needle, she never moved, as she wasn't too active, when I gave it this morning, she pulled her little paw away. Also one eye is opened. I soaked her for about a half hour in warm water, and put the Vit. A ointment on her eyes. So far so good. Will keep you posted. Thank you all for the help and encouragement.
Terry

>>Yes he did tell me to put the needle in the front legs, and alternate between the two legs. Also he said call him if I see any change (good or bad). He wants to know everything. He seemed very interested and concerned.

That is a very good sign! I like a vet who wants to know everything.

>>> When he gave the needle, she never moved, as she wasn't too active, when I gave it this morning, she pulled her little paw away. Also one eye is opened. I soaked her for about a half hour in warm water, and put the Vit. A ointment on her eyes. So far so good. Will keep you posted. Thank you all for the help and encouragement.

That too is a very good sign. When they start to fight you know they are feeling better. One eye open already! That's fantastic.
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PHRatz

Keep in mind a couple of things: you will pay a premium for "exotic" animal care, and I bet you will pay a bit of a premium just for being on an island. Everything is a little more expensive on islands, even in this day and age!

As Ken and Ratz have already said, the treatment given sounds fairly typical, and the price is not totally out of line, either, in the greater scheme of things.

We have all made mistakes with our turtle over the years, so don't kick yourself about that: you did a great job in monitoring Nora and taking her to a vet as soon as you realized something wasn't right.

$165 vet bill sounds like a pretty good deal. About 1 1/2 years ago, I paid $250 for a painted with a shell infection. I think reptiles tend to cost more that cats and dogs as they require unique knowledge,skills and experience.

Good luck! Sounds like she's improving already!
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0.1.0 ornate box turtle
1.0.0 eastern box turtle
1.0.0 Yellow belly slider
0.1.0 Red belly cooter
0.1.0 Australian shepard
1.11.0 chickens
0.1.0 Flemish giant (rabbit)
3.2.0 children (do I still count the married ones?)
1.0.0 husband

That charge sounds about right. I am already preparing for mine's "well-baby" check up, next week, and expect to pay close to $100 including preventive shots before she breaks her fast, and all...

::sigh::