Hi all,

Well I Rehomed My Gorgeous Leopard, Molly from The TPG about 8weeks ago.. And when i got her, she was a little soft, So i obviously upped the calcium and supplements, and the top of her shell is hardening, However her plastron is still quite spongey, She is still eating well, And is active, As today was gorgeous weather, i decided that i would let the Torts out, I think it may have been Mollys first time out ever.. So i put them straight on to the Concrete, It was then i noticed that Molly is walking different, Her back leg is kinda Bending outwards, You know like when we go over on aur ankle, thats what she is doing.. I feel awful as i havent noticed before, .. But as she has lost a little weight this week, i am taking her to the Vets tomorrow, she has an appointment at 1030, Hope its not too much money I just bought a load of wood, for outside enclosure, of course i will let you all know how she gets on!... So positive thoughts please!

Kelly

Hi Kelly, A leopard grows at such a rapid rate and from what I am reading she was not given the supplement nor the calcium to help form correct muscle nor bone structure. It will take some time to build her up. Had she been kept in a restricted area before comming to you? It may just be a slow process of  gentle exercise, good diet, UVB and all your TLC to make this little girl turn the corner. I had a very over bred female come to me and it took about 5 years perhaps longer before she really turned the corner. I'll see if i have pictures. She couldn't lift her back end when i first got her now she walks high and proud. Let us know how you get on.

Good Luck

Elaine

Im not sure, I was told that she had all supplements, cuttlefish, and UV.. And was told that she had been on correct diet, and kept in a table, if this was the case then she wouldnt have soft shell and problems would she?..

I just thought that if reptile vet sees her then, i will feel much better, about things!.. She is such a sweety, shes still a bit shy.. but its the weightloss that really worried me today, i weighd her on the 8th march, she was 870g, i weighed her today and she is 840g... she has been eating, weeds, florrette,and has calcium and nutrobol..

Sorry for the questions Kelly, the rehoming team know ALL the details of the rehomers but they are all still at work at the moment. So going on what you have said I wonder if Molly had been wormed in the past? If not it might be worth while if she passes anything to scoop it up and keep cool in a sealed plastic bag for the vet to do a faecal sample on it tomorrow. Is she drinking ok?

HTH

Elaine

Well perhaps Molly might have been on all the right diet, lighting etc. just before you got her Kelly, but it is possible that she was not kept this way for the majority of the time with her previous owner.

I have a leopard that came to me with a soft shell and it took a very long time to firm up.  Prior to me taking it on it had been living in a table top set up with UVB, but it was fed on iceberg lettuce left overs daily and dandelion powder supplement just once a week.  I've had this tortoise for 3 years now and despite being on a good diet with me it is very pyramided and my belief is that this is a result of how it was kept from being a hatchling as this tortoise is UK bred.

Let me know how you go on at the vets Kelly please. 

My cursor stopped working in my last message and I wasn't able to sign my name.

Helen

The lady i got her off, seemed so nice and genuine, like you said, she may have been on a correct diet and conditions, but only for a short time, I didnt mean to throw any accusations, im just worried, 

I have been checking to see if she poos, and if she does of course i will take it for a check, She does drink,  She has a large bowl in with her all the time, and i bathe her twice a week..

Yep i will let you know how she gets on...

Kelly if your animal is not to well then you must think of every possibility, the more information you can give a vet the better. Jot down all information you can think of before the vet visit, temp at hot/cool end, weight, SCL, diet, vit ect it is amazing how your mind will go blank when something you love is being examined (or is that just me)?  Whilst she is shedding this weight I would try to bathe her daily, just keeps her well hydrated.

Elaine

I know that's what you meant Kelly I can tell how worried you are and I hope the vet  can put your mind at rest.  Elaine has given you loads of really good advice to help for now.

Helen 

Hi Kelly

It sounds as if you did exactly the right thing taking Molly to the vets.  At least you are getting her sorted now and what a relief to know her kidneys aren't damaged.  You don't surprise me about the worms and Elaine was right to suggest that this might be part of her problems.  Hopefully when she gets over this episode then with all the tlc you are now providing for her and with a good tortoise diet, supplementation and UVB Molly will go on to have a good quality of life with you although what mbd damage occurred before you got her can't be reversed you should be able to stop it getting any worse.

Let us know what the vet has to say when you pick Molly up tomorrow.

Helen

Hi Kelly, Thanks for the update! Firstly can you tell me who your vets are, they do seam good and I just want to make sure they are on our vet list. I might not feel like good results but I do think they are, so far for the bloods and kidneys to come back ok is an amazing start to her new life with you. Positive thoughts are with you for the complete results tomorrow. Even having the worms treated will make her feel like a new girl!

Keep positive Kelly,

Elaine

My vet.. Mark..Bless him hes wonderful!

Trinity Vets, Barming ,Maidstone,Kent.. Its a specialist reptile/exotic vets..

It's a big worry when your tort is not well and you must be so pleased to have her home.  I'm sure know you know her problems with your tlc she will go from strength to strength and you can start to build up her bone density with nutrobal and calcium.  At lease she didn't have to have calcium injections too.

Worm loads can be completely debilitating for tortoises so you should soon start to see a big difference in her behaviour.  she is still in quarantine isn't she so you don't have to worry about infecting your other two leopards.  How is the soft shell doing on the little 'un now?

Here's to Molly having a much happier future with you.

Helen

So pleased that you have Molly home safe and sound. What a welcome home, some more sunshine, it always makes such a difference to a tortoise having the natural rays. All mine were out today and I have sat for hours watching one nest and finally lay 4 eggs: her first time so I am thrilled!

TC

Elaine

Just to let you all know.. Molly is doing great!... She now weighs 902g... I know it seems a huge weight gain, but she did lose loads so now she is making up for it... Shes sooo lovely!

She has been enjoying the sunshine and her shell is hardening... Im so pleased!

That is truly brilliant news, Kelly! Molly is very lucky to have found a home with you (and it sounds like the admiration is mutual ). I'm so glad that her shell is hardening and that she's putting on weight. Keep us updated, but it does sound like a rosy future for both of you!

Nina