Poorly boy

Philip Rome

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
48
Location (City and/or State)
Hampshire
I feel like I’m going around in circles with Philip, and not getting anywhere with his health....... people tell me they take a long time to pick up, so I may be being impatient.

So we have had Philip since June, he has never Wright bared in his bag legs so swims/drags along. He was a rescue with no history, we think about 20 but could be a lot older. His shell is about 8 inches long and 5.5 inches wide

He was very dehydrated and we have him fluid injections for a week. His weight is now around 1400g and his eyes look bright and healthy.

He can roam in his own fashion when he is on a rug or grass, but mostly he moves from heat to food to bed. He has never made it to the other side of his table with the water, and when we have put him in the water he can’t physically get himself out.

We soak him for 10-30 mins 3 times a day and refresh his food each time too.

He used to hand feed only but recently will shuffle over to the food pile and help himself.

We sprinkle calcium dust on his food. He has dandelions, clover flowers, kale, chicory, sprouts, florette mixed salad. Occasionally I give a strawberry to loosen his poo.

The only time I have seen his back legs raise is to have a wee. I’ve not seen it happen for a poo, but there is our problem.

It was quite regular for Philip to poo once every 7 days, but recently he started going every other day, sometimes daily.

He went to a friends house whilst we here on holiday for 3 nights.with his table and food and full instructions- she has kept torts before.

Now he hasn’t been for 9 days.

Still soaking 3 x a day, wetting food

He is eating, but not much, and not moving as much either...... not sure I would if I hadn’t had a poo for 9 days!

His back legs aren’t dragging because of constipation, that’s just him!

I’m hoping that with regular care his poo routine will get back to normal, but what can I do about the legs? Is is just a question of time?

The vet said she didn’t think he would use them again, but there is a reflex there..... if you pull his leg out, he will retract it quickly and give some tension of the leg is gently held.

Sorry, lost there, but I’m so worried about doing the right thing for him, and I’m not sure an X-ray would tell us anything helpful.

Perhaps I’m just really impatient ! [emoji30]
 

Ben02

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2018
Messages
1,830
Location (City and/or State)
Brighton, Southcoast, UK
I feel like I’m going around in circles with Philip, and not getting anywhere with his health....... people tell me they take a long time to pick up, so I may be being impatient.

So we have had Philip since June, he has never Wright bared in his bag legs so swims/drags along. He was a rescue with no history, we think about 20 but could be a lot older. His shell is about 8 inches long and 5.5 inches wide

He was very dehydrated and we have him fluid injections for a week. His weight is now around 1400g and his eyes look bright and healthy.

He can roam in his own fashion when he is on a rug or grass, but mostly he moves from heat to food to bed. He has never made it to the other side of his table with the water, and when we have put him in the water he can’t physically get himself out.

We soak him for 10-30 mins 3 times a day and refresh his food each time too.

He used to hand feed only but recently will shuffle over to the food pile and help himself.

We sprinkle calcium dust on his food. He has dandelions, clover flowers, kale, chicory, sprouts, florette mixed salad. Occasionally I give a strawberry to loosen his poo.

The only time I have seen his back legs raise is to have a wee. I’ve not seen it happen for a poo, but there is our problem.

It was quite regular for Philip to poo once every 7 days, but recently he started going every other day, sometimes daily.

He went to a friends house whilst we here on holiday for 3 nights.with his table and food and full instructions- she has kept torts before.

Now he hasn’t been for 9 days.

Still soaking 3 x a day, wetting food

He is eating, but not much, and not moving as much either...... not sure I would if I hadn’t had a poo for 9 days!

His back legs aren’t dragging because of constipation, that’s just him!

I’m hoping that with regular care his poo routine will get back to normal, but what can I do about the legs? Is is just a question of time?

The vet said she didn’t think he would use them again, but there is a reflex there..... if you pull his leg out, he will retract it quickly and give some tension of the leg is gently held.

Sorry, lost there, but I’m so worried about doing the right thing for him, and I’m not sure an X-ray would tell us anything helpful.

Perhaps I’m just really impatient ! [emoji30]
Hello there, I think an X-Ray would help rule out bladder stones, as you mentioned that he was very dehydrated, bladder stones are possible. Big stones can also cause a tort to not use its back legs. It’s worth it I reckon
 

Philip Rome

Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2019
Messages
48
Location (City and/or State)
Hampshire
Hello there, I think an X-Ray would help rule out bladder stones, as you mentioned that he was very dehydrated, bladder stones are possible. Big stones can also cause a tort to not use its back legs. It’s worth it I reckon

What do the vets do if there are bladder stones? How do they treat them.

He is weeing fine.
 

Lyn W

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2014
Messages
23,497
Location (City and/or State)
UK
What do the vets do if there are bladder stones? How do they treat them.

He is weeing fine.
It depends on the size of the stones I think but only an xray can tell you that. The reptile vet I saw last year gave another keeper something that vibrates externally to try to break up smallish stones for their tort to pass, normally, but larger stones may need surgery - your vet will tell you more - are they tortoise specialists?
Weeds are good but check the other foods you are feeding on www.tortoisetable.org.uk to see how suitable they are - some of the ones on your list should only be fed in moderation. They love clover leaves too not just the flowers.
My tort only poops once every 6/7 days - less often in the winter when he is less active and maybe inactivity is part of your torts problem. They need to be active for the digestive system to work. Cucumber is a good laxative, I remove the skin and take very thin - almost transparent - slices from the sides so that no seeds are eaten. Romaine lettuce that have been soaked to absorb water is also good for hydration.
How often do you give calcium? They only need a pinch a few times a week - too much could cause problems.
Tortoises can absorb water into the skin around their tail and neck - can you post a picture of his water dish so that we can see of there is anything you can do to help him get out.
There are threads about water therapy being used to help torts use legs without weight bearing - use the search facility to see if you can find them.
You do have to be very patient - this doesn't sound like a quick fix and if it can't be fixed you may be looking at some sort of removable frame with wheels to weight bear and help him move.
 
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