Hi,

A friends young tortoise(18 months)  has been in the vets for the past few days, a large mass was found by X Ray, believed to be a bladder stone, a descision is to be made by the vets today as to whether an operation is required to remove the stone.

The owner is obviously concerned as this is a very young tortoise. Does anyone know of the procedure involved and the sucess rate?

Thanks in advance

Dave.

Hi Dave,

I've passed your message on to our veterinary consultant, and hopefully we will have his opinion soon.

Nina

Thanks Nina,

The tortoise is at the same vets I use, who is very good. The owner is really worried but if the operation is their recommendation then I think its a risk that has to be taken.   She's just concerned as there seems to be little information available on the sucess rate of the op for young tortoises. 

Sorry to have to report that following further tests the vet recommended that this little fella be put to sleep as he was unlikely to have made it through the operation and other problems with the kidneys were uncovered. The owner is devastated, me too. Sad day.

Oh dear -- that is terrible! At least the poor little thing won't be suffering any more, but I can understand how devastated your friend is. I do wish we could have helped, but he was so tiny that maybe it was inevitable that an operation like that would not have a good chance of success. Please convey our sympathies to your friend.

Nina

Thanks Nina and thanks for trying to get the info. I dont think anyone expected this outcome or that the tortoise was too ill for the opration. All a bit shocked.