Reptile & Amphibian Forums

MY runt cherry head with a slight deformed shell, died overnight. Yesterday he was doing great, eating, drinking, soaking, under a heat lamp and UVB, active and that night he was gasping. He never had any eye gunk, or blowing bubbles or any other symptoms. He was just a few months old( about 4) As soon as I saw him gasping(during his soak) I put him in a hospital tank with more heat. He wouldn't eat and I knew it was the end. It was late so no way to get him to the Vet before morning, but by morning he was gone. My main concern is I had him in a enclosure and soaked him with his litter mates so if it was a disease I need to treat. But how do I know what it was? What precautions do I do now? I also have adults, a leopard tortoise and a baby sulcata that were in the same room but different enclosures. Any thoughts on this is appreciated. I was a Vet tech for years but we mainly treated domesticated pets. I know the basics with reptiles. HELP Please! I do not want more to die. Thanks Deb

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Kai- German Giant Male
Skyla- German Giant x German Giant Pastel Female
Voodoo- Yellow Red Desert Male
Banshee- Orange Sandfire Female
Puff- Citrus x Red/Orange Sandfire Male
Cera- Citrus x Sunburst Female
Jewel- Sundial Coral x Red/Gold Sandfire- Female
Ace- Orange Sandfire x Snow Male
Sunny- Sunrise x Red/Gold Sandfire Female
Stubbs- German Giant x German Giant Pastel- Male
Rainbow- German Giant x German Giant Pastel female
Velvet - Leopard Tortoise baby poss male
Marley- Sulcata Baby poss female
Sammy- Red Foot Female
Isis- Red Foot Female
Jade- Red Foot probable male
Runner- Basilisk Female
5.6 Ball Pythons
7.14 Manx Cats- Too many to name here
1.1 German Shepherds-Danzig & Onyx(due March 15th, 2006)
1.0 Hedgehog- White Wicca
0.1 Giant White New Zeland rescue Rabbit- Callie
2.2 Chinchilla's- Breezy, Stormy Nights, Mist, Black Velvet
0.1 Eastern Gray Squrriel- Paws
0.1 Ferret- Jumanji
1.1 Leopard Geckos(my daughter's)
Hermit crab(my daughter's)
Chaco Golden Knee Tarantula(my husband's)
Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula(my husband's)

Not a vet, just a regular physician but with your description of him fine before the soak and then suddenly gasping I would suspect aspiration of water while he was in the soak? Or a piece of his substrate before the soak? I can't imagine and infection beginning so abruptly.
Tom

Hello Deb,
I read alot of the posts concerning tortoises and I feel so sad for you and what happened. I still remember Velvet and how sad you were when he/she passed away. I wish I can say more to comfort you but know my thoughts are with you.
A Comrade with Torts