Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have noticed the past two days that my little guy seems to be opening his mouth a lot and pumping his head in and out of his shell agressively. Not all the time....but I never seemed to notice this before now. Should I worry? I hear clicks every once in awhile but I also hear this sound when they grind there mouth down sometimes. He is eating really well and drinking a lot...actually I have noticed him wanting to drink more lately than usual. He has been pooping great....except I have noticed that he has been eating long peices of grass whole and it seems to be trying to come out whole. Poor guy! Once I noticed this I immediately started tearing up the grass into small peices like I do the rest of his food. Any suggestions?
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

Well my Hermanns at 8 mo's does the same thing, in cycles every few days. At first I thought he was trying to go, but now I think its just part of his day. We cannot watch him all the time so, fo me I do not worry, he is eating and going! Thats all it takes for good health.

Well that is a relief. I seem to worry too much....but I am new at this! He is definitly eating and going so I'm sure he is fine. Thanks.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

What you want to look for (other than obvious symptoms like runny nose, gasping, wheezing, etc.) is changes in behavior, such as eating, activity level, time awake, etc. If you notice a change that lasts for more than a day or 2, then you should be watchful for other symptoms. If your tort is still eating and active, then most likely there is nothing to worry about.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Thank you so much Sohni! You are a life saver. I am so glad you are on this site. He seems to be doing better...I don't seem to notice him doing the open mouth thing as much..but I haven't been home too much lately to watch him also. He seems to be growing like a little weed and eating well, so I will try not to worry! I tend to do that a bit too much.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

Ok...now I totally freaking out. I'm pretty sure he is sick. He is still breathing with his mouth open, he is making some weird clicking sounds and seems to have to try breathing a little harder than before. He was eating some today but not as much as usual. I called the vets but of course they are closed today. I have to be in Santa Rosa tomorrow but will be able to take him in later in the afternoon if they have an opening. If I can't get him in tomorrow do you think he will be okay until Tuesday? I don't know how fast these things can kill a tortoise. He doesn't seem to sick yet...so I think we might catch it early enough. Also...what can the vet do for something like this? Do they get medicine? A shot? I would kind of like to know so I can be prepared.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

That does sound like a respiratory infection of some sort. Try increasing the heat a little; that may help. If it is an RI, the vet will treat it with an antibiotic, probably Baytril, but I don't know if it would be oral or injectible with a hatchling that size. Hopefully you can get him in tomorrow. Good luck!
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Hi!! He has an appointment at 3:30 today to get checked out. I will keep you posted. He seems to just want to sleep alot yesterday and today and he usually poops everyday but he hasn't the past two days now. He still opens his mouth a alot and I can hear clicking sounds coming from him. I'm sure it is probably nothing but you never know. He needs to get checked out anyway since I haven't done that yet! We are bringing Ella along too since she hasn't been checked yet either. Hopefully everything will be ok.
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Becki

1 Husband
4 kids
2 Hermans
1 Dog
4 Finches
1 Betta

Becki, I'm sorry, as I reread your original post I realize I probably should have asked you to define what you meant by opening his mouth "a lot." It didn't sound like much to worry about because you said he was still eating a lot, which is always a good sign. They will pump their heads more frequently when they're excited, and of course if they are having trouble breathing. It does sound now as though something is developing, so it's good that you're planning on taking him in.
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Sohni
Northern California

0.1 Baja de L.A. Rosy Boa
0.1 Okeetee Corn Snake
1.1 Rubber Boas
1.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 Hermann's Tortoise
0.0.1 Marginated Tortoise
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko