RedFoot is wheezing

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I understand. I have been soaking her consistently, her humidity has been in the 80s and her temps range from 88-91. Still keeping her slightly more warm as she is sick. I figure there was no magic tricks but just supplemental things that wouldn’t hurt.

She roamed a bit more in the later afternoon and ate more. Her walks seems strong, on all fours and carrying her weight well. No limping or dragging.

Current symptoms are:
- wheezing
- sneezing? She exhales quickly
- no visible nasal discharge
- eye discharge
- neck stretching
- lethargic but still active
- yawning
- chewing air? Not sure

I bought a few more things to support with temp control. Right now her thermostat reads 89. Added a few more hides and I think that helps her feel safer. Anyway I know I have been sharing a lot. Thanks to anyone still keeping up with this thread as I’ve been so stressed. Waiting for what the vet will say feels like an eternity.

Any progressions I should look out for that would warrant taking her to the exotic specialist sooner than Tuesday?

I think you are doing great. As she is more active, I'm optimistic. Some of the symptoms you listed can be a reaction to heat (watery eyes, less activity).

I would try to get an urgent vet appointment if she suddenly gets worse (e.g. eyes shut, not moving around, weak or no response if you gently pull her leg).

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

chewing air? Not sure

Agree with Alex, this is another symptom caused by a respiratory infection. Basically a sign that they have a hard time breathing.

 

[betweenshells]

Thanks y’all. Your advice and words mean a lot. I’m really glad to have been able to stabilize her temps and I wouldn’t have known how without this thread. She was alert this morning when I came downstairs to turn her light on, she’s been soaked and is munching down on a collard green, dandelion, squash, cactus, small bits of banana and Mazuri salad.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Wonderful news! Please, keep us updated! And ask any questions your have.

 

[betweenshells]

Wonderful news! Please, keep us updated! And ask any questions your have.

Thank you so so much! She’s resting now, closing her eyes here and there but did a few laps in the enclosure. I will definitely keep everyone updated!!

 

[betweenshells]

Wondering if anyone has used these for temp control. They are affordable and have been working for me but wanted to see what yall think.

Hoping to hear from vet tomorrow, Rojita was good today! Roaming her enclosure and eating her salad (same as yesterday). Not sure I saw her drink water but she did yesterday.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Wondering if anyone has used these for temp control. They are affordable and have been working for me but wanted to see what yall think.

Hoping to hear from vet tomorrow, Rojita was good today! Roaming her enclosure and eating her salad (same as yesterday). Not sure I saw her drink water but she did yesterday.

Many use chinese thermostats by Inkbird or BN-Link without issues, so a ReptiZoo one can be decent too. But, don't buy their T5 UVB kits, just in case.

Glad to know that Rojita is doing well!

 

[betweenshells]

Many use chinese thermostats by Inkbird or BN-Link without issues, so a ReptiZoo one can be decent too. But, don't buy their T5 UVB kits, just in case.

Glad to know that Rojita is doing well!

Oh can I ask why not to buy those? I think I might buy that bulb for Rojita. Let me double check but I’m pretty sure that’s the kit I have.

I’m going to upgrade all of her things once I get her a bigger indoor enclosure. So I’ll keep these brands and tips in mind for sure!!

 

[betweenshells]

Oh just checked, I have ReptiSun.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Oh can I ask why not to buy those? I think I might buy that bulb for Rojita. Let me double check but I’m pretty sure that’s the kit I have.

I’m going to upgrade all of her things once I get her a bigger indoor enclosure. So I’ll keep these brands and tips in mind for sure!!

ReptiZoo and other chinese UVB lamps have issues with UV output and lifespan of the bulbs and overall fixtures quality (electronics, assembly).

ZooMed Reptisun are good and reliable and so are Arcadia lamps.

 

[betweenshells]

okiiii so I heard back from the vet today, with partial news. Her X-rays came in and look normal with slight inflammation from the resp infection. She is overweight and no edema! Waiting on the resp panel which should be in later this week.

She was active this morning, soaked her. Any tips on getting her back on track w her weight? Less pellets? Feeding her not everyday?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Feed her everyday. But adjust diet to her lifestyle: when she has to stay indoors full time and doesn't have much exercise - reduce fruit, pellets and fatty protein sources if you feed them (like waxworms, pinkies etc.). Keep ratio of 60% greens, 30% fruit/vegetables/mushrooms and 10% protein. In summer you can feed more fruit (up to 50-60%).

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Feed her everyday. But adjust diet to her lifestyle: when she has to stay indoors full time and doesn't have much exercise - reduce fruit, pellets and fatty protein sources if you feed them (like waxworms, pinkies etc.). Keep ratio of 60% greens, 30% fruit/vegetables/mushrooms and 10% protein. In summer you can feed more fruit (up to 50-60%).

Very much this^^

I’m so glad everything checked out! She just chunky lol

 

[betweenshells]

Feed her everyday. But adjust diet to her lifestyle: when she has to stay indoors full time and doesn't have much exercise - reduce fruit, pellets and fatty protein sources if you feed them (like waxworms, pinkies etc.). Keep ratio of 60% greens, 30% fruit/vegetables/mushrooms and 10% protein. In summer you can feed more fruit (up to 50-60%).

Which mushrooms are good to feed her?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Which mushrooms are good to feed her?

I don't have a redfoot but according to the tortoise table, these are some of the common edible ones:

• Agaricus bisporus Button/Chestnut/Portobello Mushroom
• Agaricus campestris Field Mushroom
• Lycoperdon perlatum Puffball
• Cantharellus cibarius Chanterelle
• Boletus edulis Cep/Porcini
• Clitocybe nuda Wood Blewit/Blue Stalk
• Macrolepiota procera Parasol
• Lentinula edodes Shiitake
• Pleurotus ostreatus Oyster

Browse and Search the Tortoise Table Plant Database

Browse and Search the Tortoise Table Plant Database

www.thetortoisetable.org.uk

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Which mushrooms are good to feed her?

I think all mushrooms safe for human consumption. Since wild growing are hard to identify I would stick to those from grocery stores. Usually, I buy some for cooking and my tortoise gets 1-2 too. Same thing with some other foods like okra, string beans or zucchini.

 

[betweenshells]

I think all mushrooms safe for human consumption. Since wild growing are hard to identify I would stick to those from grocery stores. Usually, I buy some for cooking and my tortoise gets 1-2 too. Same thing with some other foods like okra, string beans or zucchini.

awesome! I'll definitely be getting her some this weekend. Thank you so much for this information. I will definitely be adjusting her diet moving forward and get a lot more variety in there. Lately, it's been a lot more mustard, collard and dandelion greens with the occasional red leaf lettuce. veggies have been cactus and mexican squash, will get zucchini and okra too. my brother got me a pack of dried veggies too, might give her that every now and again but I want her to eat fresh as much as possible. Her fave fruits are banana, strawberry, mango and papaya. (she's getting less of these!) and her mazuri pellets. getting another brand too just to have some variety in there with pellets too. I'll be giving her a couple pellets every other day.

Still haven't heard back from the vet, hoping I do tomorrow or Friday. Really eager to get her treatment started. She hasn't declined in a significant way. She's still eating and active. Maybe seems slightly weaker as she roams? Moving a little slower than usual but I've seen her climbing her log and whatnot. She's not doing as much air chewing, still wheezing and yawning.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Sounds good!

Cactus pads are high in fiber and calcium, but low in vitamin A so they make a great pair with grocery greens. Be aware of mild laxative effect of cactus

If you can find hibiscus, mallow, young grape or mulberry leaves - these are well-balanced greens.

Papaya, figs, prickly pear and mango are good staple fruits. Banana, strawberry and others (like dragon fruit, cherimoya) are nice for variety.

You can search for Hikari Mulberific (e.g. Kapidolo Farms sells them among other good stuff). It's a "super food" like Mazuri but have slightly more balanced contents (and all my reptiles love it). Arcadia Optimized52 Tortoise Food and different toppers (flower toppers, DragonFuel etc.) are also good.

 

[betweenshells]

Hey yall… no clear answers yet. Her respiratory panel came back negative for everything. She’s wheezing loudly this morning, ate and moving around but I’m hitting a wall. Vet wants to try a different set of antibiotic, an oral one. If this doesn’t work, she can refer me to a vet in houston for a CT scan. Her organ functions were “beautiful” according to vet. What could be going on? I feel so defeated.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hey yall… no clear answers yet. Her respiratory panel came back negative for everything. She’s wheezing loudly this morning, ate and moving around but I’m hitting a wall. Vet wants to try a different set of antibiotic, an oral one. If this doesn’t work, she can refer me to a vet in houston for a CT scan. Her organ functions were “beautiful” according to vet. What could be going on? I feel so defeated.

Did they test for mycoplasma?