Vet Visit

Lyn W

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There you go. No antibiotics unless infection is confirmed. Blood can be taken if absolutely needed. My big boys never had to be sedated for x-rays; so, I don't get the necessity of sedation. And, no Vit. injections. I really think that with just an x-rays, and possible blood work, you'll find out what's wrong with your baby. Best to you and your baby :)
Thanks Sibi.
 

mark1

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i would offer what very well not be a consensus opinion , might be seen as wrong , but myself and it's been my practice , if i had a turt or tort acting badly , and i knew my care was proper , with or without a diagnosis i'd have no problem with a round of antibiotics , that along with proper care i think solves most problems , at least most i've ever run across .. from what i've experienced , if the antibiotics is the answer it's obvious within one or two doses ...... ..i am of the opinion reptiles naturally carry and are exposed to all kinds of bacteria , being kept in a confined space , around many other animals , an unnatural often inadequate and stressful environment , i believe those normal bacteria are very capable of causing an animal to become sick .. short version , i think bacterial infections are very common ..as far as oral antibiotics , i think they suck , i wouldn't let my vet send me home with oral antibiotics and a sick turtle , not without a serious discussion of why he needed too , it's been my experience sick turtles don't eat well , it's next to impossible to tell exactly what you actually got in them .... any antibiotic i've ever used worked fine sub q ................ as far as vitamin a injections , i don't doubt their dangerous when given improperly , but i've seen them perk a turtle up on more than one occasion ... i've yet to kill one of my turtles because of too much vet intervention , i was a baytril and a prayer , keeper for a long time , and it worked more than it didn't ........ i think in the wild , antibiotics would increase their average lifespan as much as it did ours .....
 

CathyNed

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@Lyn W Hey Lyn...sorry to hear Lola is unwell. What are her symptoms?Ned (Russian) had xrays taken without being sedated. He had antibiotic injections given into back leg but im not sure what type of antibiotic. Vet didnt want to take blood at first as she said they usually take from jugular and his neck wad all swollen. After a few days she was able to get blood sample from there. Sorry I cant be of more help but hoping Lola gets better soon!
 

Lyn W

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@Lyn W Hey Lyn...sorry to hear Lola is unwell. What are her symptoms?Ned (Russian) had xrays taken without being sedated. He had antibiotic injections given into back leg but im not sure what type of antibiotic. Vet didnt want to take blood at first as she said they usually take from jugular and his neck wad all swollen. After a few days she was able to get blood sample from there. Sorry I cant be of more help but hoping Lola gets better soon!
Thanks Cathy. It's all a bit inconclusive really as the vet wouldn't do xrays or take bloods. I had oral antibiotics for him but haven't given them as nothing was diagnosed so was worried they could do more harm than good.
I took a strange form of urates with me (in a jelly like shell) from the weekend but will take a fresh lot and poop in for testing to rule out parasites. Hopefully its not kidney or k stones related but need xrays to rule that out.
Hope Ned is doing well now.
 

CathyNed

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Thanks Cathy. It's all a bit inconclusive really as the vet wouldn't do xrays or take bloods. I had oral antibiotics for him but haven't given them as nothing was diagnosed so was worried they could do more harm than good.
I took a strange form of urates with me (in a jelly like shell) from the weekend but will take a fresh lot and poop in for testing to rule out parasites. Hopefully its not kidney or k stones related but need xrays to rule that out.
Hope Ned is doing well now.

Im sorry to hear that and hoping you will get to the bottom of it all soon. I too feared kidney problems but Ned had lots of swelling which is also linked to that. He is doing really well now....back to all his usual tricks, eating aplenty and being a general messer! Hoping to hear good news about Lola!
 

TammyJ

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i would offer what very well not be a consensus opinion , might be seen as wrong , but myself and it's been my practice , if i had a turt or tort acting badly , and i knew my care was proper , with or without a diagnosis i'd have no problem with a round of antibiotics , that along with proper care i think solves most problems , at least most i've ever run across .. from what i've experienced , if the antibiotics is the answer it's obvious within one or two doses ...... ..i am of the opinion reptiles naturally carry and are exposed to all kinds of bacteria , being kept in a confined space , around many other animals , an unnatural often inadequate and stressful environment , i believe those normal bacteria are very capable of causing an animal to become sick .. short version , i think bacterial infections are very common ..as far as oral antibiotics , i think they suck , i wouldn't let my vet send me home with oral antibiotics and a sick turtle , not without a serious discussion of why he needed too , it's been my experience sick turtles don't eat well , it's next to impossible to tell exactly what you actually got in them .... any antibiotic i've ever used worked fine sub q ................ as far as vitamin a injections , i don't doubt their dangerous when given improperly , but i've seen them perk a turtle up on more than one occasion ... i've yet to kill one of my turtles because of too much vet intervention , i was a baytril and a prayer , keeper for a long time , and it worked more than it didn't ........ i think in the wild , antibiotics would increase their average lifespan as much as it did ours .....
Such a variety of opinions here! Very interesting reading this thread.
I think it all boils down to going to a really herp-wise and herp-experienced, caring vet! We have NO herp vets in Jamaica, and my experience with vets here the few times I took reptiles to them - I won't ever any more. We know the basic things to do to help our animals to get the best chance of recovery - the same things we would do for ourselves apart from going to our trusted doctor - those things like keeping clean, keeping warm and being made to feel secure in our "hide" or whatever enclosure is our home, and getting the best possible nutrition and hydration.
 

TammyJ

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Thanks Cathy. It's all a bit inconclusive really as the vet wouldn't do xrays or take bloods. I had oral antibiotics for him but haven't given them as nothing was diagnosed so was worried they could do more harm than good.
I took a strange form of urates with me (in a jelly like shell) from the weekend but will take a fresh lot and poop in for testing to rule out parasites. Hopefully its not kidney or k stones related but need xrays to rule that out.
Hope Ned is doing well now.
Just asking you if you are sure the strange urates in the jelly-like shell was actually urates, or poop?
 

Lyn W

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Just asking you if you are sure the strange urates in the jelly-like shell was actually urates, or poop?

I can't be sure, but It was pale pink in colour and didn't look like poop at all. Only about the size of a jelly bean I suppose.
 

Anyfoot

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Lyn, they don't need to sedate a tort for x-rays.
How has Lola been in herself today?
 

Lyn W

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Lyn, they don't need to sedate a tort for x-rays.
How has Lola been in herself today?
Thanks Craig - seems not. Have found some new reptile/exotic vets but they just do clinics at other vets so I'm trying to find the times of them. (May have to throw a sickie at work to get to them as looks like mornings only at the moment) I think he needs an xray to see if anything's going on.
Same today - didn't move from hide all day. I gave him a soak and he was quite perky in it and ate well after it , had a little wander but nowhere near as active as usual. I'm wondering if I need to remove the hide in the day, so that he will get some uvb - but then I would worry about him not having his secure place. I'm stumped!
 

Anyfoot

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Thanks Craig - seems not. Have found some new reptile/exotic vets but they just do clinics at other vets so I'm trying to find the times of them. (May have to throw a sickie at work to get to them as looks like mornings only at the moment) I think he needs an xray to see if anything's going on.
Same today - didn't move from hide all day. I gave him a soak and he was quite perky in it and ate well after it , had a little wander but nowhere near as active as usual. I'm wondering if I need to remove the hide in the day, so that he will get some uvb - but then I would worry about him not having his secure place. I'm stumped!
How long did you bathe him for and was it in warm water.
What temperature have got him at in his hide?
 

Lyn W

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Yup always warm water and he was in about 20 mins (with top ups) He is sometimes in longer when he is relaxed but he tried to climb out tonight so left him as long as possible.
His hide on my temp gun is near a radiator and the warmest area at the back of it where he lies is always around 87'F.
 

CathyNed

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I can't be sure, but It was pale pink in colour and didn't look like poop at all. Only about the size of a jelly bean I suppose.

Hi Lyn. Just saw ur msg above. Anything like these? Ned "pooped" these out in some gooey stuff when he was ill. They were rock solid with largest about the size of a jelly bean?
 

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CathyNed

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P.s. just to clarify, for the record, I do not normally take photos of and measure Neds poop! I took them to send to a vet 100km away after speaking to her over the phone.
 

Lyn W

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Hi Lyn. Just saw ur msg above. Anything like these? Ned "pooped" these out in some gooey stuff when he was ill. They were rock solid with largest about the size of a jelly bean?
Hi again Cathy, no they weren't hard. The first felt rubbery to touch and fell apart when I tried to lift it out, the second was in the transparent shell - looks like a soft contact lens ( I don't wear them so I know it's not that) and the inside was soft and floaty. Will have to see if I can get a photo of it. Thanks for trying to help solve the mystery though.
 

CathyNed

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Hi again Cathy, no they weren't hard. The first felt rubbery to touch and fell apart when I tried to lift it out, the second was in the transparent shell - looks like a soft contact lens ( I don't wear them so I know it's not that) and the inside was soft and floaty. Will have to see if I can get a photo of it. Thanks for trying to help solve the mystery though.
Hmmmm....stumped!
 

Lyn W

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Hmmmm....stumped!
It certainly is strange! I took the shell to show the vet and she said she'd never seen anything like it before.
Trust Lola to be different.
 
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