Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'll keep this quick, my sulcata (with no history of any health problems got out last night during a bad storm. I had a bad feeling, and went to check on him. He was wet a little cool, (I live in Miami) I brought him in and dried him up and kept him warm for the night. Now this morning he has some mucus on his nose and I'm worried.

It's sunday and I guess I need to know is there something I can do to help him?
Is he ok, or do i need to get him to a vet, and emergency today, or vet tomorrow?
I've had him for a couple of years and he is about 16" and never any health problems. My only concern is that it has rained alot here and I don't know if this is a major thing.

I always wory that something bad is worse than it is.

Any help from the experts would be great. Whats going on and what the next steps are.

thanks so much
mat

I'm not exactly an expert but I know that sulcatas are very sensitive to high humidity and cool temperatures. They can tollerate the cool temperatures if its dry. It sounds like your guy has a respiratory infection and should see a reptile vet. He will probably need antibiotics. If I remember correctly these infections can be persistant. This isn't something to try and tackle on your own.

You he's feeling better soon
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Adam
http://anraviary.cjb.net
0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.0 Northern Diamondback Terrapin, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

I'd keep him warm and dry and wait to see what happens. A tortoise is not going to get a respiratory infection overnight, any more than you are going to catch a disease overnight. Stress must allow bacteria enough time to overpopulate to cause problems, this does not happen instantly.

That's a tough one. My only suggestion is to clean your Sulcatta and his habitat often as in everyday and keep him warm and dry and give him a lot of sun. If that doesn't work and you decided to go to a vet I can only say that things are going to be rougher from there on.

With a lot of work and love your tortoise should be better. Keep hangin' there.

thanks for all the help. He seems better today. I'm keeping a close eye on him. With all the readings and info on the internet regarding rns and resp. infections its difficult not to be a bit of a hypochondriac. I've been fortunate to have very healthy sulcata's, I look forward to getting back on that track.

thanks again