Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Currently I am treating two tortoises (0.1 Texas and 0.1 desert) for an URTI with SC Baytril (enrofloxacin) and ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution applied to the nostrils. These torts were recently adopted from a local turtle and tortoise club. Unfortunately, they were housed with other species of torts including star torts. I have no other torts. Shortly after initiating treatment I noticed a precipitous drop in their appetite. Today is treatment and day #10. Their appetite has been seemingly non-existent for the last seven days. For example, the desert tort shows interest in and inspects dandelion flowers but does not eat them. Previously he relished these flowers. Has anyone else experienced appetite loss in tortoises treated with Baytril? I ask because I am considering treatment for an additional four days due to residual, albeit much improved, nasal discharge and am weighing the risks of anorexia versus the benefit of the current antibiotic regimen.

Thanks in advance!

Pete Humphrey

The benefits must be weighed as you are doing. Appetite comes back when the turtle or tort improves and goes off the meds.

Paul

I've dealt with appetite loss in both of my tortoises due to hookworm infestation. One thing you can try is opuntia cactus (prickly pear), which seems to be a favorite food; also hibiscus flowers. You might also try Mazuri, a pelleted food that my tortoises will literally run to eat, or Ecotherm Grassland Tortoise Yummies, another treat. If you run Mazuri through a food processor/chopper along with greens, calcium, and vitamins, you might be able to get your torts to eat enough to keep their weight steady. Mazuri also works well if you need to get oral meds into them, but I don't think all torts like it, so you would have to experiment. Hope this helps.
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Sohni

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
1.0 3 Toed Box Turtle (rescued)
plus my kids' herps:
0.1 California King Snake
1.0 Mexican Rosy Boa
0.1 Leopard Gecko

Unless your tortoise is significantly underweight, it should have no problems going through a course of Baytril which is usually no longer than a couple weeks, especially if it's eating 'some' food.

If you tort is severely undernourished, you may consider tube feeding while going through treatment. It's not the easiest thing to do nor the least stressful to the animal, however if the animals life is in question, it's certainly an option.

I'd get input from your vet on the course of action and the technique. Qualified herp vets can also attached a feeding tub to the trachea of torts for serious cases. This allows for convenient syringe feedings and no 'prying' of the mouth. This is done fairly often with confiscated animals that are weak enough that additional stress is avoided.

Just some thoughts while you weigh your decision.

Paul