need help , tortoise stopped eating and move on hind legs

mark1

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I was meaning neck injury as in vertebrae , inflamed/injured nerves along the spine somewhere that affects the front ………
 

enchilada

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I was meaning neck injury as in vertebrae , inflamed/injured nerves along the spine somewhere that affects the front ………
What are the treatments? You mentioned steroids?
Please help I’d like to know more
 

mark1

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I agree with Kyle , a vet that knows what they are doing … i'd have to think an x-ray would be a start , bloodwork to rule out a bacterial infection , or anything obvious , I think they'd appreciate a stool sample ….. steroids act as an anti-inflammatory , they do suppress the immune system , so you really want to rule out an infection , or parasites ……. they do have NSAIDs , not nearly as effective as steroids , but safer , wouldn't be as indicative of the problem as the steroids ….. I've had a lot of neck trauma in my life , it's become arthritic , one of the pains it causes on occasion is under my left shoulder blade , when it gets aggravated , if I walked on my hands i'd be lame …….
 

enchilada

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update today

Seems the neck is totally fine . He can stand on front legs sometimes , but still moves funny with hind legs most of time .
Btw any recommendations for good reptile vet in OC/ Los Angeles area ? I yelped but most vet only do cats and dogs .
 

KarenSoCal

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update today

Seems the neck is totally fine . He can stand on front legs sometimes , but still moves funny with hind legs most of time .
Btw any recommendations for good reptile vet in OC/ Los Angeles area ? I yelped but most vet only do cats and dogs .
Great news about his neck! Yeah!
 

Kenno

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update today

Seems the neck is totally fine . He can stand on front legs sometimes , but still moves funny with hind legs most of time .
Btw any recommendations for good reptile vet in OC/ Los Angeles area ? I yelped but most vet only do cats and dogs .

There’s Dr. Tom Greek in Yorba Linda.
 

enchilada

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I agree with Kyle , a vet that knows what they are doing … i'd have to think an x-ray would be a start , bloodwork to rule out a bacterial infection , or anything obvious , I think they'd appreciate a stool sample ….. steroids act as an anti-inflammatory , they do suppress the immune system , so you really want to rule out an infection , or parasites ……. they do have NSAIDs , not nearly as effective as steroids , but safer , wouldn't be as indicative of the problem as the steroids ….. I've had a lot of neck trauma in my life , it's become arthritic , one of the pains it causes on occasion is under my left shoulder blade , when it gets aggravated , if I walked on my hands i'd be lame …….

Went to the vet . He told me exactly the same thing as you said .
X Ray shows nothing wrong . Prescribed me some steroids

7519979F-BC12-4904-9A32-5B088C835343.jpeg
 

mark1

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hope you get a handle on this soon , that is a beautiful animal , I can understand the effort you must have in him ………. steroids taken orally can be pretty rough on the stomach , if their oral , you probably want to give it when he eats …….. they'll probably stimulate his appetite , as long as they don't trash his stomach ……. i'd also soak him more than usual while he's on them ……… if they're going to help , you should see something fairly quickly ….
 

enchilada

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hope you get a handle on this soon , that is a beautiful animal , I can understand the effort you must have in him ………. steroids taken orally can be pretty rough on the stomach , if their oral , you probably want to give it when he eats …….. they'll probably stimulate his appetite , as long as they don't trash his stomach ……. i'd also soak him more than usual while he's on them ……… if they're going to help , you should see something fairly quickly ….
The first day and 2nd day I squirted it directly to the mouth as vet directed , the 2nd day he seems lost some appetite . So yesterday, the 3rd day i stopped and his appetite came back .
 

TammyJ

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They are totally gorgeous. Has he pooped? He seems to be getting back on his front legs slowly, and is eating, but if he is not pooping it's a problem. What are the steroids called specifically, and what do they do?
 

enchilada

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Update 9/2/2018

It’s been 30 days ,still not pooping . I tried soak every day ,feed mineral oil , massage the belly with vibrater .....
Appetite seems reduced than before . eats mazuri and some mixed greens

Now it seems he moves on his front legs only, looks like hes dragging the body , although the hind legs still kicking normally when picked up .

Should I go to the vet again for contispation treatment?
 

TammyJ

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Update 9/2/2018

It’s been 30 days ,still not pooping . I tried soak every day ,feed mineral oil , massage the belly with vibrater .....
Appetite seems reduced than before . eats mazuri and some mixed greens

Now it seems he moves on his front legs only, looks like hes dragging the body , although the hind legs still kicking normally when picked up .

Should I go to the vet again for contispation treatment?
I have no idea, but it seems to me that if he is not pooping he should not be fed anything too solid, as it's not being excreted.
 

T Smart

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Update 9/2/2018

It’s been 30 days ,still not pooping . I tried soak every day ,feed mineral oil , massage the belly with vibrater .....
Appetite seems reduced than before . eats mazuri and some mixed greens

Now it seems he moves on his front legs only, looks like hes dragging the body , although the hind legs still kicking normally when picked up .

Should I go to the vet again for contispation treatment?

I was wondering about this tortoise. You very well might have to take him to an exotic vet, considering all the above failed. But wait to see what other members have to say.

Also, have you tried feeding foods such as aloe? It's my understanding it acts as a natural laxative.

I'm hoping he pulls through!
 

Yvonne G

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This is how he moves . Not using front legs


In that first video, he's not trying to 'walk', he's trying to get unstuck from something he thinks is holding him. I'll bet he's either blocked by kidney/bladder stones, or he's constipated.
 

enchilada

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In that first video, he's not trying to 'walk', he's trying to get unstuck from something he thinks is holding him. I'll bet he's either blocked by kidney/bladder stones, or he's constipated.
This video is from a month ago . Right now it’s only walking on front legs. I took it to our local exotic vet ( Dr Greek& Associates ) 2 weeks ago , x Ray shows no sign of contispation, stones or broken bones .

I think maybe whatever causing the problem, moved from front of body to the back ?
 

Tim Carlisle

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That is soooo weird. I'll be following this post to see if they ever come up with a diagnosis. Best wishes!
 
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