Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I have a 7 month old leopard tort and I saw on Saturday a bubble come out of his nose. I sat and watched carefully but didn't see anything or any sign since then until this morning. When I got him up for a soak, his nose is running and I saw another bubble. On top of that his one eye wouldn't open but now it is... I am going to call the vet as soon as they open but what do I do in the meantime? Please help!
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Lisa

1 Mali Uro - Matilda
1 Leopard Tort - Herman
1 Shih Tzu - Jake

lisasmith@optonline.net

Sounds like an upper respiratory infection. Take him to the vet ASAP, and increase the heat in your cage. They need a hot spot of about 90-95.

I quarantined off the hot spot area of the tank. He was in a 2x2 custom made tank. I noticed though that he rarely comes out once going into his sleeping spot. I have to go in and get him for him to be active... Anyway, I put a rubbermaid container inside the tank. The kind that you buy for the bottom of your kitchen sink... I bought this for him to soak in. Anyway, I put rabbit pellets in the bottom and have the heat lamp over one corner of it with the thermostat... Before I left for work I had it fluxing from 90 - 97 degrees. It's a smaller area so I am thinking that the area away from the hot spot is a little bit cooler. After I quarantined him and put his food in, he was checking out the "new" area and started eating, A LOT! A lot more than he has in a very long time (a week or so). I still saw some bubbles coming out of his nose every so often. Why did his one eye not open this morning? Do you know? I have a vet appointment at 4 today. Thank you for your help. I read through all of the postings this morning for some guidance and let me tell you, I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of your knowledgeable postings! This is a wonderful site!!!
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Lisa

1 Mali Uro - Matilda
1 Leopard Tort - Herman
1 Shih Tzu - Jake

lisasmith@optonline.net

In addition to the heat, don't forget about increasing the soakings.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Thank you Ed, I was quite confused about this one! I wasn't sure if I should soak more or less... I will soak him tonight when I get home. I have someone bringing him to the vet for me since I can't get out of work. How does a vet determine a diagnosis? I think his tank is too cold and that is why he's not using all of it. This is probably why he wasn't eating a lot and sleeping all of the time. I feel terrible. He seemed so alert and happy once I quarantined him and was in a nice and warm area. I feel so bad! This is my first tort.
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Lisa

1 Mali Uro - Matilda
1 Leopard Tort - Herman
1 Shih Tzu - Jake

lisasmith@optonline.net

I am glad that he is going to the vet, if it is a respiratory infection, he will probably give him Baytril. You might have to do the injections yourself though.
The most common cause of respiratory infections is too cold of temp., in most reptiles. Don't feel bad, at least you caught it in time, if you catch these things too late, the torts don't do so well.
Let us know how the vet appt. goes!

Live and learn.
Because these guys are cold blooded I believe it is better to err on the hot side. As long as you watch the hydration this is usually not a problem. If it is too cool you really can't see the problems until it is usually too late.
If he's eating and acting normal, I'll bet he'll be ok.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care