We just used plain filtered water for the soaks. We found that sweet potato was what got him eating again - cooked it, cooled it and then put it in, and he went for it pretty quickly.
Tortoise attacked by rat (?)
- Thread starter HawaiiHermann
- Start date
We just used plain filtered water for the soaks. We found that sweet potato was what got him eating again - cooked it, cooled it and then put it in, and he went for it pretty quickly.
HawaiiHermann
Member
Vet says the tortoise is doing very good. He gained 80 grams (!!) from the soaks since the last visit 3 days ago. The cuts show no signs of infection, so we are done with the antibiotic shots for now, but I'll continue applying silvadene until the wounds are fully healed. He does have some clicking/wheezing with his breathing, but there's no bubbles, so it's hard to tell if it is the start of something respiratory or just a consequence of the injury to his nostril area. Time will tell, and he will be closely monitored.
Still no eating, which isn't terribly surprising. I wonder how long, on average, it takes for a tort to regain its appetite after finishing antibiotics?
Still no eating, which isn't terribly surprising. I wonder how long, on average, it takes for a tort to regain its appetite after finishing antibiotics?
HawaiiHermann
Member
This is the labored breathing I was mentioning. Anything to be worried about?
I could be completely wrong as your tort has been injured recently but that doesn’t sound good to me. Has the vet seen or heard this? If not I would consider bringing it to their attention sooner than later. That way if it is a concern it can be treated right away and if not then you sleep a little easier.
I just got back on the Forum after a long hiatus, and saw your video clip. I sure hope you have got this taken care of, it does look like your tort is putting an effort into taking each breath and that clicking sound if it hasn’t cleared up is definitely something I’d be getting checked for my torts. Your tort is already on antibiotic which may or may not cover him. If not, the vet may need to change it. But I hope that this was just an episode and all done and over with. As for temps, I’d keep the hospital tank around the 85F’s and VERY humid (over 90%), also keep the bath water between 95 and 105F. I keep my temp gun next to the tub I bathe mine and have been doing this for couple yrs now. We laugh that our torts get their nightly spa bcs as soon as we put them in that warm water they stretch out their legs and dip their chins, sticking above water level only from their nostrils up. Sending you and your tort thoughts of wellbeing and healing[emoji217][emoji256]
HawaiiHermann
Member
That video above was right after the last dose of antibiotic injections. It got a bit better for a few days, but was more pronounced yesterday, so the vet has prescribed some antibiotic nasal drops. Got some pretty impressive tortoise boogers yesterday.
We've been having a hot and humid spell here, which helps! I'm going to purchase a higher wattage CHE this evening to keep it a bit warmer overnight.
Still not eating, but the soaks have been going well. He is back up to his pre-attack weight even though he hasn't eaten in 17 days. He has at least been sniffing the food on offer, which seems like a positive sign.
HawaiiHermann
Member
Today he finally ate! 3 full weeks after the attack, and about 10 days after the last antibiotic injection. I made him a fancy plate of strawberry, papaya, and tomato... but it was the Mazuri that did the trick.
There has been a little improvement of the respiratory symptoms, but he's still breathing through his mouth sometimes. I've got a follow up appointment at the vet on Monday just to make sure he is healing ok. Scales have been peeling off his limbs and rear, revealing cream-colored flesh underneath. It's not oozing, smelly, or red.
There has been a little improvement of the respiratory symptoms, but he's still breathing through his mouth sometimes. I've got a follow up appointment at the vet on Monday just to make sure he is healing ok. Scales have been peeling off his limbs and rear, revealing cream-colored flesh underneath. It's not oozing, smelly, or red.
MrMarg&me
Well-Known Member
Good to know your tort is still healing and showing improvement. My old turtle Marg is missing a foot, nails on other foot are deformed, tail is nicked, scutes are scraped off on front and bottom edge of carapace and there is a notch/puncture apparent on plastron. These are all very old healed wounds. If you hold him as a dog would a rawhide chew it is obvious that a dog did just that. I sometimes wonder if a kind human helped him when he was suffering when the injuries were new. I would like to think a person like you was there for him!
HawaiiHermann
Member
Yes, when I saw wild Hermann's tortoises in Europe, many of them had very bad shell damage (probably from dogs as well) that had healed up ok. Pretty amazing considering the level of trauma and unsanitary conditions!
Vet today said that everything is generally healing up great. The peeling scale areas are just fine; the white flesh underneath is new healthy tissue, and the loose bits will eventually flake off.
The bad thing is his nose.
The scale on the tip that includes the nares is loose and only hanging on by a thread. The vet said it will fall off and not grow back. Poor guy.
HawaiiHermann
Member
The nostril area fell off. Had anyone had experience with this happening? @richosullivan ? Will it just stay open like this forever?
HawaiiHermann
Member
MrMarg&me
Well-Known Member
I am heartened to learn his nose is healing. Tortoises can endure a lot.
Hayes Johnson
Member
Poor tortoise! Did the rat get into his tank?
HawaiiHermann
Member
The tortoise was living in an outdoor enclosure 24/7. The rat attacked him one night when he was sleeping. He'll be inside for a while until he's fully healed and I can figure out how to best protect him outside going forward.
Ours was open for a little while, and eventually grew over with a scab. I was using a dental "pick" to try and keep the nasal passage open, and using one of those baby nasal aspirators to suck any of the bad stuff out. It eventually grew all the may over and the scab fell off. We sterilized that area and are kind of waiting to see how it will grow back. Because of it being clogged, he obviously has to mouth breath all the time so the Vet said we would notice what appeared to be more labored breathing. we have been using nasal drops on his nose area, and he is on antibiotics (which will put us at 4 months total on antibiotics). After that the Vet wants to drop the antibiotics and see him weekly to see how he is progressing.
HawaiiHermann
Member
@richosullivan Wow, what a long journey for your little one! Best wishes for him from me and my tortoise.
Lots of scabs peeling off these days. The ones on his front legs look like they will come off soon. Still eating like a pig, though I'm a little concerned that he's not moving around too much in his bin... mostly just sits in his hide. Normally he's very active in the bin. I'm assuming it's just uncomfortable to move around with all the healing wounds.
The nose is still open. Every few days he seems a little congested in there, and he seems to be learning that q-tip = nasal relief, and will hold still for a booger cleaning. The things we do for our tortoises!
Lots of scabs peeling off these days. The ones on his front legs look like they will come off soon. Still eating like a pig, though I'm a little concerned that he's not moving around too much in his bin... mostly just sits in his hide. Normally he's very active in the bin. I'm assuming it's just uncomfortable to move around with all the healing wounds.
The nose is still open. Every few days he seems a little congested in there, and he seems to be learning that q-tip = nasal relief, and will hold still for a booger cleaning. The things we do for our tortoises!
HawaiiHermann
Member
A large scab came off today. Most of the flesh underneath is white/pink and even, but there's a pea-sized yellowish protrusion. The vet suspects that it might be some old pus, and suggested to gently debride it with a q-tip. Wish me (and the tortoise) luck...
Dipa
Well-Known Member
Good luck
May he recover speedily and beautifully
HawaiiHermann
Member
The protrusion didn't swab off cleanly, though now it's a smaller red spot. For now, I'm just keeping it clean and hydrated with antibiotic ointment.
Today was the first day he's really been acting like his old self. In other words, he walked through his food repeatedly and knocked over the baby monitor. The large scabs on his feet have fallen off. That just leaves large scabs on one arm and the tail.
Today was the first day he's really been acting like his old self. In other words, he walked through his food repeatedly and knocked over the baby monitor. The large scabs on his feet have fallen off. That just leaves large scabs on one arm and the tail.
