Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

One of my stars have a bubbly nose. I noticed it about two days ago and waited longer to see if it was going to go away.

He still has a bubbly nose (doesn't bubble that often, maybe once in half an hour - really isn't that apparent) but I read that their noses aren't supposed to bubble at all so it's quite suspect. When I took him out in the morning today, I noticed that his nasal area was quite wet and he didn't touch any grass at all.

I was so afraid that he might stop eating till I cut up some beans and offered it to him, which he took quite happily.

Panicked, I packed him up and took him to the vet. He administered a enrolfloxacin injection in his hindleg. On the way home, I noticed that he was he was tearing quite excessively and there were bubbles from his mouth as well. I read on tortoise trust that those were the side effects of the drug.

It pained me an awful lot to see him in such suffering. Any other methods of treatment? I don't think I want to take him back to the vet as he seemed quite unsure of what he's doing.

I've isolated him from the other star. Could my other star be infected? They've been in the same enclosure for about three weeks already.

The temp in the enclosure is about 28-30 C. Should I keep the basking light on at all times (though he doesn't seem interested at all)?

Should he still be taken out to graze?

I also read that it's important to make sure he doesn't become dehydrated. What I noticed of my stars is that they really dont't drink. When I soak them in a shallow dish, they poop and pee, then they try to get out. Is it because I'm there?

I'll really appreciate all the feedback I can get on this.

Thanks
Nikki

It would be in your best interest to find another vet. There are reports of adverse reactions in Star tortoises to Baytril. In the mean time isolate the sick Star and make sure it has a range of 28 to 32 C. Make sure it is also well hydrated by soaking it daily. Get it to another vet ASAP.
Ed

I'm keeping it warm and is in the process of finding another vet.
Nikki

I have stars, and a real reptile Vet , and when one of mine got the bubbles real bad a couple of years ago, he gave me nose drops. They worked in only a few days, so I still have some left, not that it is any good still, but I can still read the label. It says... Gentmicin Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution USP 0.3% Try this stuff your tort will like it. Maybe your vet can get you some. It is made by GENTAK

Also, to really keep stars warm in the winter, you need to heat the whole room, not just their cage.
Good luck'
Ernie

Thanks Ernie. What does it do, this solution?

Earnie made really good points. Make sure the enclosure has good ventilation and eliminate any sources that might cause dirt. You can still take him out for graze if the weather is fine. Keep soaking it as well. Always maintain the tempture of the enclosure constant. Sunlight is vital too.
As long as it eats and poos(and the syndrome doesn't go worse), no worry! Sometimes, when they get bigger and stronger, they will recover themself.
Good luck!
Cooper

Hi Cooper,
I thought that respiratory infections are life-threatening. If the symptoms go away, does it mean that the tortoise is cured of it?

My star is eating selectively at the moment.

Thanks
Nikki

I went down to check on my tort and found that he has pooped in his eating dish...and it's totally white.

What could be the problem?

Thanks
Nikki

Its nothing to worry about. Its very normal and is called Uratesand its not their poop, it comes out when they pee. Not all the time but a lot of the time.

Oh, does it have anything to do with the antibiotic jab he received two days ago?
I know there are some side effects to the baytril - can this be one of them?
Thanks
Nikki

No its what all tortoises do and is normal. They do it every once in a while but if it comes in big dry clumps instead of liquid type or little clumps then it means the tort is dehydrated.