Please help, My tortoise is very lethargic, doesnt want to go anywhere, is eating virtually nothing,he was very cold, I took him to the vet and he advised to give him baytrill twice daily which Im struggling with, He seems to be breathing laboured and hissing when breathing out, he has been eating loads of buttercups which the vet said are not toxic, however I notice on here that they are poisonous ? I have called the vet back and he says just to keep trying to give him water and his Baytril, any advice Im concerned...He is under a heat lamp at the moment warming nicely.
Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Buttercups are toxic, particularly in large quantities.

I'd be inclined to tyake him to see a good tortoise vet. Have you checked out our list of recommended vets at all?

http://www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk/site/157.asp

I'll ask Kevin Eatwell to take a look at your post if he's about.

Kindest Regards

Darren

Hi I have looked at your recomended list and theres noone near me, Im near Melton Mowbray ? any help

Sarah

There are two I can track down, which may be near you:-

Chine House Veterinary Hospital
Sileby Hall
Cossington Road
Sileby
Loughborough
LE12 7RS

01509 812445

&

King Richard Vet Centre
29 Glenfield Road East
Leicester
LE3 5QW

0116 251 7677

How's he doing?

Darren

Hi Darren

Hes had a small mouth of cucumber, and a warm soak to try and get him to drink something, hes back in his box and moved away from the heat lamp into the corner.

Do you think I should ring another emergency vet tonight ?

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

If he's in a very bad way then I would seek good veterinary advice as soon as possible.

Darren

Thank you Darren, Im checking him very regularly, he seems to be relaxed now, his breathing relaxed and he is warm, without the lamp on, which must be a good sign. Hes burrowed as he does at night into the hay and tucked in. I will call the vet you gave me if any change tonight for the worse, or in the morning whatever even if he has a good night. 

Its very reasuring to have other people like you to ask advice, its a strange world, no one really knows alot about Tortoises do they ? So if i can get a vet thats up to speed, fantastic.  Thank you.

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

There are a lot of vets out there that aren't very clued up on tortoise care.

Are you managing to get him to take the Batryl OK?

He'll need to be kept warm for his immune system to kick in and for the Batryl to take effect & regular bathing

Is he showing any signs of discharge from his nose at all?

Fingers crossed for him

Darren

No theres nothing in the way of runny nose, or bottom, I think I managed to get this evening medication into him much more anyway than this am, when I gave him his soak he appeared to be gulping, so hopefully took in some water, hes fast asleep now, and in the house with me keeping warm. I have been reading your advice on tube feeding and looking how to open his mouth easier, so will do that with the next dose of batryl.

I will do all I can for him.

Is there any update for us on your tortoise today?

Helen

Hi Sarah,

I've had a response from Kevin:-

'This tortoise sounds like its condition has deteriorated since it was last seen by your vet. I would consider contacting them again and inform them your tortoise has deteriorated. It may be the vet wishes to hospitalise your tortoise and run some diagnostic tests (such as radiography) to assess the severity of its problems. '

If you're not sure about your vet advise, I would definitely try and see one of the above.

TC
Darren

Hi  Darren

Sorry I didnt log on yesterday,  Ive got an appointment to see a vet this afternoon, Chine House Tortoise man is on hols but they have given me a particular vet in loughbourgh who deals with Reptiles when their chap is away, so Im off to see him shortly. Rupert passed 3 stools yesterday, 1 whitish normal, 2 thick poo looking dark stools, I dont know whether they are good or bad so I shall find out later, He perked up alot yesterday after he passed those ?? today though asleep under his lamp and not eaten anything, poor little chap. I will let you know what the Vet says later.

Thank you

Sarah

Fingers crossed that Rupert gets sorted out at the vets this afternoon and that he is fighting fit soon!

Nina

Fingers crossed for him Sarah

TC
Darren

Hi Darren

Fantastic News, Ive found a vet that knows a thing or 2 about Tortoises, its The Meadow Lane Vet Centre in Loughborough. He was great, gave Rupert a good going over, and says hes not got anything more than a very slight bubble of a cold, no toxic poisoning, he says he simply has got too cold and thus not behaving normally, he checked him over looked down his mouth, etc etc and says hes in good form, the batryl will not do him any harm and to carry on until its finished but otherwise no worries, but if Im at all concerned to call him or go over. He gave me a good half hour chat about Rupert and made me a very happy mummy, I have even fully opened his mouth and given him his Batryl, that made me laugh after a weekend of struggling with it,  nolonger paranoid I hope.. Rupert has sprung into life litterally eating loads and running off again, but he has been under that heat lamp all weekend.....does this explain it all.... blimey I thought real children were enough of a worry. Oh and hes says not to worry about the buttercups in the field, he wont eat enough on his own accord to upset him, but we are not to pick them anymore and give them as a treat !!! oops

Sarah ( Big sigh of relief)

Hi Sarah,

I'm sure the Batryl will sort out his runny nose. Glad to hear he's on the mend Sarah. They are such a worry aren't they:-)

TC
Darren