I'm glad you said it first Yvonne. I agree.. and can't believe that these so-called "herp" Vets are injecting these little torts with VITAMIN A. How likely is it that he took a blood test and diagnosed it on the spot? I hope we are wrong.

And we NEVER allow our torts to walk around on the floor! Do we ever clean the floor? And do we use any chemicals by chance on the floors.. when we clean them? I actually had someone say they never cleaned the kitchen tile floor where their redfoot roams.. she only sweeps the floor! OHH! That's makes it better...

Yeah, actually he is in a pen that those temps are there. The cool side being the room temp, and the hot side with the lamp is at 80. Its actually been a little higher (85) as per the temp gage in that area. So I think Im good on the pen temps. But now I have some questions on the roaming. I don't let him have "free range" but he does need to get out for a little while. I have read some threads and stuff regarding outside exercise, but there is (even on a warm day) breezes. So what exactly is OK and what is not. Is he going to keel over if the wind blows on him? I have not had him out recently as he is sick and being treated, but at first I admit we did both inside for a little while, and outside where he seemed very happy.

On more somber note. I take him in today to get another antibiotic shot, but yesterday I think he took a turn for the worse. He had been making more noise, and has not hardly moved at all. He has still not eaten since we have had him 6 days ago. I have heard that soaking him with warm water and non flavored pedio-light mix is good, and maybe trying to force feed him some baby food consistent with his diet needs. Ill ask the vet when I am there, or if anyone has any idea's on that. I think Dr. Dunlap knows his stuff. He is pretty reputable. I had the same thought on the Vitamin A shot, but did not question him. I just want Smeagol to get better. Thanks again for every one's help.

This post was last modified: 02-08-2008 09:36 AM by roamingbull.

I think if its possible to get his temp up to 90-100 in his hot spot will help him feel better faster. Mine recently had an RI and I had to give her antibiotic shots at home. Vet told me to up her temps.
I hope he gets better soon.

Also, where did you get him from? I believe that torts can "hide" illness well. Maybe this is something he already had and just wasn't taken care of before you got him. Do you know what kind of care he received before you purchased him? Just a thought.

This post was last modified: 02-08-2008 11:24 AM by Coldliz.

I got him at a pet store in Red Bluff CA. My bet is he was sick then. They said he was eating, but I wonder to be honest. My vet said he was underweight, and it looked as if that was not a new thing. We also think he is younger than what they said, maybe two years, they said four. He is about 6.5 inches. The pet store said he was a "Trade in" I wish we had asked more questions but was a bit ignorant then. Still we got him and we are attached to him, so we are in it for the long haul. I am going to the store to see about a higher wattage red light warmer to get those temps up a bit till he gets better. Also, I wonder if I need to add a little more humidity in to the mix. Maybe that may help his respiration's. Some of the posts have said a damp sponge or maybe some misted moss? What do you think about the feeding. We had the option of doing the shots at home too, but decided to go ahead and pay the tech fee and have them do it. That way he would be seen and could be monitored by them a bit more. We are learning for sure with all the help received here and all the research.

Im going to be in contact with the pet store. No intention of returning him as he is now a member of our family, but maybe they will do the right thing and help a little with the vet bill. Cant hurt to ask anyway.

-Tony

I'm sorry, you did mention already where you got him. Maybe he was eating there, but the better question is WHAT was he eating?
I understand he is part of your family and I'm sure with the vet care and your care he will get better. The feeding, actually I'm not sure. I worry about that myself with mine. She eats but has lost weight. I would just keep offering it to him, maybe add a little something to encourage him. Like a raspberry or something sweet. I know that has been mentioned by Robyn (Crazy1) that she did this with hers to get hers to eat. A damp sponge or misted moss is a good idea. That way he has the option to move to the humidity if he feels like it.
I agree it doesn't hurt to ask the pet store for help with the vet bill. Also its never to late to ask them more questions about how they cared for him. Good Luck!

-Melissa

Well I got the go a head to do the feeding. So we will see. If we cant get him to eat on his own by Tuesday, then we may have to tube him. Not looking forward to that as it will be a bit costly as well as risky. He did perk up again at the vet, and other than his RI, and lack of feeding he is doing OK, so I am hopeful. We did the goodies thing, Nada unfortunately. The Vet gave me some nasal medication to help clear him up as well as the antibiotics. Ill ask those questions at the pet store when I call the guy in charge Monday.

Well I guess I can look at it this way, our introduction to this is has been a crash course to say the least. So one positive way to look at it is that when we get through all of it, we will be a step ahead in knowing how to handle future issues.

Well I hope he eats before Tuesday. It will be stressful for him and you to do the tube feeding.

I am wishing the best for you.

I would suggest that you go to the pet store & face the manager when you ask for reimbursement for vet bills. It is much easier for them to say no over the phone!
I would suggest returning the red bulb, and getting a "basking" bulb with a higher wattage. They like the brite lite. It usually makes them more active.
Ask your vet if he thinks your baby needs to be nebulized. We did that for nearly all tort RI's. He may let you rent a nebulizer to bring home. We nebulized sometimes twice daily if it was a bad infection.
I don't remember if you ever said what you have for a UVB bulb. Just so you know, it isn't painful for the tort to be tube fed. The just don't like being held still to get the tube down their throat.
I agree with not putting your tort on the floor, especially when it is cool, but they can find things to put in their mouth that you can't even see, worse than a human baby. Bye the way , WELCOME to the forum. Keep coming with questions when you need to.
Good Luck
Patsy

Hi, sorry I have been away for a bit, and double sorry I still have not produced a pic. But I will. Smeagol started eating on his own on Monday so the tube was not necessary. We fed him liquid spinach Saturday and Sunday which he did not like at all, but got just enough in to wet his appetite. It was so cool to see him eat that first weed and some grass. Since then he has eaten a bit more each day, and yesterday he ate a bunch. Still no poop, but I'm sure that will come now that he has something in him. We actually used a nasal spray on our finger and then dobbed his nose twice a day, that helped a lot. He had his last antibiotic shot yesterday and looks to be well out of the woods. Very active and eating a lot. I do have a UVB Bulb, and the red bulb in his current en closer keeps the temp at about 80 in his hot spot and between 75 and 78 in the cooler spot. Right now we alternate the bulbs but will soon have a set up where both will be utilized. We have been getting him outside more, and he loves that. Ill be posting another thread soon to ask a couple more direct questions about drafts and some other stuff, but have to go for now. I just wanted to say thanks again for everyone who helped with their advice and experience. It made all the difference and we very much appreciate it.

So glad to hear Smeagol seems to be on the road to recovery. You guys did a great job, keeping on top of the problem.