Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I haven't been here before, but I was hoping someone could help me with a big problem??

I recently received two adult yellowfoot torts from Suriname. The male is doing great, eating fine, been treated for parasites etc. The female, on the other hand, has yet to eat/drink/defecate, etc. She weighed 7.6 # on arriving, and now is down to 6.8 lbs. She arrived with white mucous in her eyes. The Vet thought maybe she was stressed and prone to infection or maybe had a RI or something similar, so we started a regiman of Baytril inj. She has one more dose and does not seem to be improving at all.

I have been putting eye drops in her eyes every day per Dr. (Alternate between saline and Vit K.) Her eyes actually seem clearer, but now have tried white stuff around the edges. (Dried mucous??)

I soak her in warm water for about 1-2 hours daily. She is provided with a tub of fresh water (which she can climb in and out of) and I change the bowl of food out about every 6 hours. (To keep it fresh) I have tried enticing her with bananas, strawbwerries, melons, greens, all sorts of veggies, earthworms, etc. to no avail. She is outside during the day (Sunlight/shade/humid hide/heat lamp/food/water/and temps int he mid 80's) and is brought in at night because of cool nighttime temps. She is kept in a LARGE storage container filled with a sandy substrate. (The guy a got her from thought she was gravid and my fiance though we should give her room to dig, just in case.)

She has started putting her head straight up and as far as it will come out and then rest it on the wall. I have never seen this behavior. (It's part of the reason for the anti-biotics. Pneumonia?) She is alert, (will hide her head if bothered too much.) seems curious, but doesn't move much, unless she is looking for her hide.

She is drastically losing weight, was given Panacur twice before I got her, has been on anti-biotics, to the vet multiple times and nothing is improving. Please does anyone have any suggestions???? I really don't want to lose her! Sorry this is so long and I really appreciate your help!!

Have your vet check for protozoans. It sounds like she has a protozoan problem.
The other thing is yellowfoots want to be real humid, practically dripping wet. I think thats why she's having the eye trouble.

He can't until we get a fecal sample and she will not go to the bathroom! He doesn't know how to trat if we can't get her to eat. We have tried dripping meds into her mouth while she is upside down. Some goes in, but it doesn't work well.

She is also kept VERY humid. There is condensation build up on the sides of her tank. Any other tips?? Thanks for your help so far.

When I give flagyl for protozoans I just force feed the appropriate size piece of the pill. Usually when your giving flagyl the tortoise isn't eating and conversely not producing stool. If this vet won't prescribe it, I'd find another vet.
You will though have to replenish the good gut bacteria after you give the flagyl. Critical Care is very good for that, but you have to get it through your vet.

How are your torts doing? Any improvement?

Hi,

Thanks for asking, but no, sh is not. The female has dropped in weight to 6 lbs instead of the 8.6 she was when she came in.

Still no eating or drinking. We have even taken to dripping liquid (electrolytes, blended fruit) into the corner of her mouth, but I don't think she is getting much at all. I am at a loss. Any other ideas?? Thanks.

Brittani

Take her back to the vet immediately to be tube fed. If the meds aren't working, change them. Would also have blood work done to see what is going on inside. And make sure she is not with the healthy torts and you wash thoroughly before handling the healthies.

I was tempted to buy a few of those torts when he got them in, but had too many reservations. Glad I held off. Continue to give updates on your tort. Hope she comes thru alright.

I'm headed to the vet right now. The vet I was seeing said he wouldn't tube feed, so I will talk to one of the other vets. What other kind of medicine is OK for torts? (The closest, true Herp vet is over 4 hours away, so I have to deal with what I can.) Thanks!!